Patent Application
20130318628
The present disclosure generally relates to mobile devices.
Access to computer programs is often difficult to restrict in a meaningful manner, such as when a parent is attempting to restrict access to a computer program by a child. For instance, various forms of parental controls are available that prevent access until an access code is input. However, if the parent is not available to input the access code, the child may be unable to access the computer program.
Systems and methods for providing access to computer programs based on physical activity level of a user are provided. Briefly described, one embodiment, among others, is a system comprising: a mobile device having a movement monitoring system operative to monitor movement of the mobile device; and a threshold detection system communicating with the movement monitoring system and operative to provide access information to enable use of the computer program, use of which is otherwise disabled, the access information being provided responsive to the monitored movement of the mobile device corresponding to a threshold level of activity of a user of the mobile device.
Another embodiment is a method comprising: monitoring movement of a mobile device; and enabling use of the computer program based, at least in part, on monitored movement of the mobile device such that, responsive to the monitored movement corresponding to a threshold level of activity of a user of the mobile device, the computer program is enabled.
Other systems, methods, features, and/or advantages of the present disclosure will be or may become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Having summarized various aspects of the present disclosure, reference will now be made in detail to that which is illustrated in the drawings. While the disclosure will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit the scope of legal protection to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
In this regard, systems and methods for providing access to computer programs based on physical activity level of a user are provided, some embodiments of which involve the use of mobile devices that provide access information for enabling the computer programs (i.e., permitting users to interact with the programs), which are otherwise disabled. By way of example, movements of a user of a mobile device may be monitored by onboard components and, responsive to the monitored movement corresponding to a threshold level of activity, the mobile device may facilitate access to a computer program (e.g., a gaming program that is resident on an electronic device). In some embodiments, the access may be facilitated by an access code that is displayed to the user via the mobile device, and which may be input to the device upon which the computer program resides. In this manner, physical activity of the user may be promoted as access to one or more programs may be provided as a form of reward for performing a threshold level of physical activity.
Responsive to determining that a threshold level of physical activity has been performed by the user, access information 104 (depicted in the center frame of
Regardless of the particular manner in which access is restricted, access to the program is selectively provided by the access information. Notably, further access to the program after elapse of a predetermined time interval of use may be prevented until other access information is provided.
In an example of operation depicted in
The processing device 142 may include a custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU) or an auxiliary processor among several processors, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip), a macroprocessor, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), a plurality of suitably configured digital logic gates, and other electrical configurations comprising discrete elements both individually and in various combinations to coordinate the overall operation of the system.
The memory 150 may include any one of a combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random-access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, and SRAM, etc.)) and nonvolatile memory elements. The memory typically comprises native operating system 152, one or more native applications, emulation systems, or emulated applications for any of a variety of operating systems and/or emulated hardware platforms, emulated operating systems, etc. For example, the applications may include application specific software which may comprise some or all the components of the system. In accordance with such embodiments, the components are stored in memory and executed by the processing device. Note that although depicted as being stored separately from memory 150, one or more of the depicted systems may be resident in the memory.
Touchscreen interface 148 may be configured to detect contact within the display area of the display 146 and provides such functionality as on-screen buttons, menus, keyboards, soft keys, etc. that allows users to navigate user interfaces by touch.
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the memory may, and typically will, comprise other components which have been omitted for purposes of brevity. Note that in the context of this disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores one or more programs for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
With further reference to
GPS 160 is configured to determine a current location of the mobile device and may communicate location information for use by one or more of various systems, such as movement monitoring system 166. Additionally, the one or more accelerometers 162 are configured to sense movement of the mobile device and may communicate acceleration information for use by one or more of various systems, such as movement monitoring system 166.
In operation, the movement monitoring system receives information that corresponds to the level of physical activity of a user of the mobile device. As mentioned before, this may include receiving information corresponding to acceleration of the mobile device and/or location information that may be used to determine distance traveled by the mobile device. Note that the acceleration\motion signatures may be used to identify a given activity.
Responsive to the received information, the movement monitoring system may determine a level of physical activity, such as an aggregate amount of activity performed between designated start and end times. Notably, in some embodiments, start and/or end times may be designated by a user. Additionally or alternatively, a start time may be triggered by a threshold level of activity being sensed, for example.
Threshold detection system 168 receives information corresponding to the monitored level of physical activity and determines whether the monitored level corresponds to an established threshold. In this embodiment, the information is provided by the movement monitoring system. By way of example, the threshold may correspond to a predefined amount of physical activity to be performed. Responsive to determining that the predefined amount of physical activity has been performed, the threshold detection system provides access information, which may be used for enabling access of an access-restricted program.
Program access system 170 provides the functionality for selectively restricting and providing access to an access-restricted program (e.g., program 164). In this embodiment, the program access system responds to input of the access information by enabling program 164. Notably, in this embodiment, the access provided responsive to entering of the access information is for a predetermined period of time, after which access is once again restricted.
If embodied in software, it should be noted that each block depicted in the flowchart of
As shown in
Mobile device 212 incorporates a movement monitoring system 220 that monitors movement of the mobile device. This is done to acquire movement information corresponding to the level of physical activity performed by the user (the assumption being that the mobile device is being carried by the user). In some embodiments, the movement monitoring system may determine the level of physical activity based on the sensed movements of the mobile device. In other embodiments, the movement monitoring system may facilitate communication of information, such as location information and acceleration information associated with the mobile device, to another system (e.g., threshold detection system 216), which may then determine the level of physical activity.
It should be noted that when location information is being used to determine a distance traveled by the user, the user also may be prompted to input information corresponding to a manner of travel, such as walking or biking, which may influence the determination of the level of physical activity. In other embodiments, more sophisticated algorithms may be used that may involve the use of motion signatures for determining various aspects of sensed movements. For instance, motion activity of the mobile device (i.e., movements of the device about various axes while remaining in generally the same location, as may be revealed by acceleration information) may be used to determine an intensity level of user activity and/or may be used to predict a manner of travel or type of exercise.
In the embodiment of
In other embodiments, the functionality associated with the threshold detection system may be provided onboard the mobile device. In such an embodiment, functionality onboard the mobile device determines whether the user has been physically active enough to be able to use a computer program. If so, the mobile device may produce and then provide the access information to the user.
Electronic device 214 of
In an example of operation, assume the case of a parent who would like to ensure that their child is getting enough exercise. The parent ensures that the child carries mobile device 212, which acquires movement information associated with the child. Responsive to the movement information corresponding to a threshold aggregate amount of physical activity, access information 222 may be provided to the child via the mobile device. In this case, the access information is an access code, which the child may user for enabling access of program 226, which is loaded into electronic device 214 (e.g., a video gaming device). After a predetermined time of use has elapsed, access to the program is restricted once again. The process may then be repeated thereby ensuring physical activity takes place prior to access being provided to the program. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, access system 216 provides functionality that enables the parent to set the threshold of physical activity and the duration of use of the program.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. By way of example, the systems described may be implemented in hardware (e.g., logic), software or combinations thereof. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
