Abstract:
A fitness challenge program designed to encourage physical activity as well as to entertain and engage participants. Individuals are organized into teams and compete individually as well as against other teams. The program incorporates the use of computer technology to record physical activity and track progress for individuals as well as their teams. The individual and team activity information is posted to a web site accessible to the participants. Each participant has an account and can access his or her activity data through the web site. Team progress can also be viewed in the form of activity level data as well as movement to various locations associated with activity levels. The program incorporates educational content that is tied to team progress in the challenge. The program may be organized and administered through the middle schools that student participants attend.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to fitness programs. In particular, the present invention relates to a team-based fitness challenge system and method in which data for a fitness activity performed by individuals on different teams is collected by an electronic device and uploaded to a database where it is compiled and analyzed. A winner of the fitness challenge may be determined by combining activity levels for participants on each team. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In many countries, playing of computer and video games and other sedentary activities such as watching movies and television have become the preferred pastimes of school-aged children. The problem is especially prevalent in middle school aged children who are entering their teen years or are in their early teen years. Playgrounds and play equipment designed for younger children that provide entertainment as well as an opportunity for physical activity are no longer of interest to middle school-aged children. There are few equivalents or substitutes for older children that allow for a similar level of physical activity while also providing some entertainment. As a result, the children increasingly engage in other less physically demanding or even passive activities during their free time. 
     Another reason that middle school-aged children may be less active than they were during their elementary school years is that they have less free time. Homework and extra-curricular demands in school increase with each grade so that the children typically devote more time to studying and other school activities and less time to playing or other physical activities. Competing demands for a student&#39;s time can make it difficult for the student to find time to exercise or engage in a physically demanding activity. Furthermore, it is unlikely that they will try to find or make time to exercise. Even if they understand that exercise is important, they are unlikely to perform physical activities for the sole purpose of maintaining or improving their health. They still have a need to be entertained or engaged when performing any activity, whether physical or mental. Therefore, there is a need for a physical activity program for middle school aged children that encourages exercise and provides entertainment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a fitness challenge program for middle school students that is designed to encourage physical activity as well as to entertain and engage participants. Students are organized into teams and compete individually as well as against other teams toward a goal. The program incorporates the use of computer technology to record activity and track progress for individuals as well as their teams. The individual and team activity information is posted to a web site accessible to the students. The program also incorporates educational content that is tied to team progress in the challenge. The program may be organized and administered through the middle schools that the children attend. 
     In an example embodiment, the fitness activity that students perform is walking so that virtually all students in the school can participate. Students from a particular middle school are on the same team and they complete against student teams from other middle schools in the area. Each participating student is provided with a pedometer that records the number of steps he or she takes every day and that communicates the step data wirelessly to a remote access point located at the student&#39;s school. The step data for each student is uploaded to a server at the school and then to another server and website where it is stored in a database that records step data for all participating schools. Each student has an account and can access his or her step data through the web site. 
     In the example embodiment, each student has a screen character representation that is a horse. Students have the ability to customize their horses based on activity accomplishments. Each school or team is represented by a bus that passes checkpoints in relation to the school&#39;s student step activity. The combined activity level of the team&#39;s students determines movement of the bus around the world. Students can view information about world checkpoints that the buses pass as their movement around the world is tracked. The winner of the challenge is the school with the highest level of activity and therefore, the bus that travels the farthest. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of the primary hardware components for a fitness challenge program; 
         FIG. 2  is a sample student user screen for an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a sample character upgrade screen for an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a sample bus screen for an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a sample checkpoint screen for an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a sample upgrade bus screen for an example embodiment; and 
         FIG. 7  is a sample results screen for an example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a diagram of the primary hardware components for a fitness challenge program according to an example embodiment is shown. A pedometer  100  captures step activity for a period of time. In an example embodiment, an Actiped™ fitness monitor from Fitlinxx® is used to capture step data for up to two weeks. The monitor connects wirelessly to a remote access point  102  when in range. A remote access point  102  is installed in each participating school. The remote access point  102  is connected to a server  104  via a USB port. When a pedometer  100  is in range, the remote access point  102  captures the pedometer identifier and step data and transfers it to a database at the server  104 . Step data for each student collected at the server  104  is transported across a secure wireless network using a web services application to a custom web application on another server  106  that records and tracks the data for each school, updates the challenge status, and that supports student and team access to the data. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a sample student user screen for an example embodiment is shown. The screen  200  displays the student&#39;s user name  202 , customized challenge screen character or representative  204 , step total  206  as recorded by the pedometer, number of miles as determined by the number of steps  208 , daily step totals for a period of time  210 , and total steps for the day  212 . The student user can select left and right scroll buttons  214  to view earlier and later daily step totals. Finally, the screen displays the amount available to the student to upgrade the screen character  216 . The student may earn points based on the recorded number of steps to purchase optional items for customizing his or her screen character. For example, the student may purchase accessories for the character, change colors, and change features. Each item may have an associated point cost that is deducted from the student&#39;s point total when a purchase is made. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a sample character upgrade screen for an example embodiment is shown. The screen displays the student user&#39;s screen character  204  with its current upgrades and provides a scrolling list of the upgrades that the student has already purchased  300 . The screen also indicates the amount available to the student for upgrades  216 . Finally, the screen displays a scrolling list of upgrade options organized in groups or categories  302  as well as a detailed listing of upgrade options within a particular group or category  304 . Upgrade options that the student selects are then applied to subsequent displays of the screen character. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a sample bus screen for an example embodiment is shown. All of the screen characters for the students that belong to the school&#39;s team appear in the school bus. The bus moves past checkpoints in relation to the school&#39;s step activity. The individual step data for the students is combined to determine a total activity level (i.e., the number of miles that the students have collectively walked). The bus then moves to a new location in the world based on the applicable number of miles. The winner of the challenge is the team with the highest activity level based on the activity level of each individual team member. The winner also has the bus that travels the farthest during the challenge period. As each team&#39;s bus moves to a new location in the world, it passes one or more checkpoints. Students can view information about the checkpoints that their bus passes as shown in  FIG. 5 . Data about checkpoints is stored in the database and is associated with a particular step value or activity level. The school&#39;s step total is compared to the checkpoint step value to determine whether it has “passed” a particular checkpoint. Details about a particular checkpoint are shown in a popup window  500 . In addition, a progress bar at the bottom of the screen shows the number of steps that the students have collectively walked and the applicable number of miles  502 . Also shown is information for additional checkpoints as well as an estimate of the number of days until the bus will pass the landmark at the students&#39; current step rate  504 . 
     Other graphical objects or items such as cars, airplanes, or boats or any type of symbol or graphic may be used to represent each team. In addition, the object&#39;s movement from one location or setting to another may be tracked in many different ways including in relation to world landmarks, points in space, geographic locations, etc. Each time a user reviews team progress, the team&#39;s progress may be shown by displaying the team object in a representative location or setting where the location is determined according to the team&#39;s total activity level. Different locations or settings may be associated with a particular activity level, milestone, or checkpoint. The total activity level may then be used to determine the location or setting in which the team&#39;s graphical object should be displayed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a sample upgrade bus screen for an example embodiment is shown. The screen displays the current standings by team  600 . The screen also indicates the amount available to the school for bus upgrades  602 . The screen displays the school&#39;s bus  604  with its current upgrades and provides a scrolling list of the upgrades that the school has already purchased  606 . Finally, the screen displays a scrolling list of upgrade options organized in groups or categories  608  as well as a detailed listing of upgrade options within a particular group or category  610 . Upgrade options that the school selects are then applied to subsequent displays of the bus. The ability to upgrade the bus may be limited to a teacher or other school administrator through user permission features. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a challenge results screen for an example embodiment is shown. The results screen shows each team&#39;s bus and step total. 
     An administration component allows for the web based application administration of team data, user data, screen character data, bus data, and checkpoints. Referring to Tables 1-8, details for various administration screens of the administration component are shown. 
     Data for each team is entered and tracked. Team data includes a team identifier, team name, step total, timestamp for updates from the school remote access points where step activity for each student is collected, credits and debits for bus upgrades, and last payday. Edit and view options for each row of the screen allow an administrator to update data associated with a team. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Teams Screen 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Id 
                 Name 
                 Steps Total 
                 Access Point Update 
                 Credits  
                 Debits 
                 Last Payday 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 edit view  
                 2 
                 TEAM ABC  
                 4,028,190 
                 2008-07-17 
                 9,681 
                 30,600 
                 2008-06-09 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 15:01:01 
                   
                   
                 00:01:02 
               
               
                 edit view 
                 3 
                 TEAM DEF  
                 4,450,130 
                 2008-07-17  
                 25,201 
                 19,300 
                 2008-05-29 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 15:01:04 
                   
                   
                 14:01:22 
               
               
                 edit view 
                 4 
                 TEAM GHI  
                 5,082,480 
                 2008-07-17 
                 11,824 
                 39,000 
                 2008-07-17 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 15:01:07 
                   
                   
                 15:01:07 
               
               
                 edit view  
                 5 
                 TEAM JKL 
                 3,313,080 
                 2008-07-17 
                 8,330 
                 24,800 
                 2008-05-23 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 15:01:09 
                   
                   
                 07:01:19 
               
               
                 edit view 
                 6 
                 TEAM MNO 
                 3,199,770 
                 2008-07-17 
                 7,397 
                 24,600 
                 2008-05-24 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 15:01:12 
                   
                   
                 11:01:25 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Details for a selected team are shown in the following table. Details include the team identifier, an organization number, access point serial number, access point update timestamp, credits and debits for upgrades, step totals and step data by date, options data, and checkpoint crossing dates that indicate when the team crossed a particular checkpoint or landmark. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Team Details Screen 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Id: 
                 2 
               
               
                 Organization: 
                 1 
               
               
                 Default Access Point  
                   
               
               
                 Uploader Serial No.: 
                   
               
               
                 Name: 
                 TEAM ABC 
               
               
                 Description: 
                   
               
               
                 Last Access point Update: 
                 2008-07-17 15:01:01 
               
               
                 Next Access point  
                   
               
               
                 Update start: 
                   
               
               
                 Last Credits Update: 
                   
               
               
                 Last Payday: 
                 2008-06-09 00:01:02 
               
               
                 Credits: 
                 9,681 
               
               
                 Debits: 
                 30,600 
               
               
                 Steps total: 
                 4,028,190 
               
               
                 Steps by date: 
                 2008-04-01: 181,372 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-02: 185,004 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-03: 163,056 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-04: 162,516 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-05: 114,660 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-06: 135,862 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-07: 104,488 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-08: 124,690 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-09: 76,096 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-10: 66,598 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-11: 54,494 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-12: 90,696 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-14: 109,576 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-15: 143,214 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-16: 138,324 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-17: 116,800 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-18: 200,860 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-19: 65,398 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-20: 76,068 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-21: 154,972 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-22: 161,584 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-23: 142,068 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-24: 125,342 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-25: 121,186 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-26: 69,396 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-27: 57,324 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-28: 95,660 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-29: 124,162 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-30: 118,404 
               
               
                   
                 . . . 
               
               
                   
                 2008-06-09: 514 
               
               
                 Options: 
                 a:21:{i:46;b:1;i:74;b:1;i:83;b:1;i:77;b:1; 
               
               
                   
                 i:73;b:1;i:56;b:0;i:102;b:1;i:81;b:1;i:106; 
               
               
                   
                 b:1;i:113;b:1;i:116;b:1;i:61;b:1;i:103;b:1; 
               
               
                   
                 i:70;b:1;i:47;b:0;i:48;b:0;i:49;b:0;i:45;b:0; 
               
               
                   
                 i:44;b:0;i:43;b:0;i:50;b:0;} 
               
               
                 Checkpoint crossing dates: 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     An administrator can also access a user screen to view data for individual users. Each user is associated with a team and has a user identifier as well as screen name. User data also includes a timestamp for the user&#39;s most recent sign-in and previous sign-in, a step total, and the serial number of the access point that receives the user&#39;s step data. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 User Screen: Part 1 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 User 
                 Screen 
                 Most Recent  
                   
                 Steps 
                 Access point Uploader  
               
               
                   
                 Team 
                 ID 
                 Name 
                 Sign in 
                 Previous Sign In 
                 Total 
                 Serial Number 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 edit view 
                 2 
                  24 
                 USER1 
                 2008-05-03 
                 2008-05-01 
                 229,334 
                 HHTK-00256-11425 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 16:43:11 
                 14:07:36 
                   
                   
               
               
                 edit view 
                 2 
                  25 
                 USER2 
                 2008-05-05 
                 2008-04-28 
                 153,180 
                 HHRG-00256-12177 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 11:21:33 
                 12:37:04 
                   
                   
               
               
                 edit view 
                 2 
                  26 
                 USER3 
                 2008-05-01 
                 2008-04-28 
                 277,610 
                 HHCW-00256-11512 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 14:33:00 
                 12:24:38 
                   
                   
               
               
                 edit view 
                 2 
                  27 
                 USER4 
                 2008-05-05 
                 2008-04-29 
                 212,702 
                 HHXH-00256-11471 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 20:47:46 
                 20:12:35 
                   
                   
               
               
                 edit view 
                 3 
                 128 
                 USER5 
                 2008-05-01 
                 2008-05-01 
                 243,029 
                 HHPQ-00256-11612 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 10:49:57 
                 09:12:44 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     User data further includes a serial number for the user&#39;s pedometer, last access point update, next access point update, credit and debits for upgrades to his or her screen character, last credits update, last payday, and role. Edit and view options for each user entry allow an administrator to edit or view data for an individual user. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 User Screen: Part 2 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Access 
                   
                 Next 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 point 
                 Last 
                 Access 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Actiped 
                 Access 
                 point 
                   
                   
                 Last 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 User 
                 Serial 
                 point 
                 Update 
                   
                   
                 credits 
                 Last 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Team 
                 ID 
                 Number 
                 Update 
                 Start 
                 Credits  
                 Debits 
                 update  
                 Payday 
                 Role 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 edit view 
                 2 
                  24 
                 FECJ- 
                 2008-07-17 
                 2008-05-01 
                 593 
                 1,700 
                   
                 2008-05-01 
                 User 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 00256-29530 
                 15:01:01 
                 T00:00:00 
                   
                   
                   
                 12:01:01 
                   
               
               
                 edit view 
                 2 
                  25 
                 FEWY- 
                 2008-07-17 
                 2008-04-24 
                  31 
                 1,500 
                   
                 2008-04-24 
                 User 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 00256-29235 
                 15:01:01 
                 T00:00:00 
                   
                   
                   
                 11:01:01 
                   
               
               
                 edit view 
                 2 
                  26 
                 FENM- 
                 2008-07-17 
                 2008-05-01 
                 626 
                 2,150 
                   
                 2008-05-01 
                 User 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 00256-29146 
                 15:01:01 
                 T00:00:00 
                   
                   
                   
                 11:01:01 
                   
               
               
                 edit view 
                 2 
                  27 
                 FEFW- 
                 2008-07-17 
                 2008-05-01 
                 127 
                 2,000 
                   
                 2008-05-01 
                 User 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 00256-29056 
                 15:01:01 
                 T00:00:00 
                   
                   
                   
                 11:01:01 
                   
               
               
                 edit view 
                 3 
                 128 
                   
                   
                   
                  0 
                   0 
                   
                   
                 Team 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Admin 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     User details include a user identifier, team identifier, sign-in data, access point user guide identifier, remote access point serial number, pedometer serial number, screen name, password, access point update timestamps, step data by date, credits update date, last payday, credits and debits, and options. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 User Details Screen 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Id: 
                 24 
               
               
                 Team: 
                 2 
               
               
                 Previous Sign In: 
                 2008-05-01 14:07:36 
               
               
                 This Sign In: 
                 2008-05-03 16:43:11 
               
               
                 Access Point User guide: 
                 f24f1b10-9496-4410-a6fa-aee100fb821c 
               
               
                 Access Point Uploader 
                 HHTK-00256-11425 
               
               
                 Serial No.: 
                   
               
               
                 Access point Actiped  
                 FECJ-00256-29530 
               
               
                 Serial No.: 
                   
               
               
                 Screen Name: 
                 USER1 
               
               
                 Password: 
                 ********* 
               
               
                 Last Access point Update: 
                 2008-07-17 15:01:01 
               
               
                 Next Access point Update 
                 2008-05-01 T00:00:00 
               
               
                 Start: 
                   
               
               
                 Steps Total: 
                 229334 
               
               
                 Steps by Date: 
                 2008-04-01: 8,566 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-02: 12,136 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-03: 22,546 
               
               
                   
                 2008-04-04: 16,230 
               
               
                   
                 . . . 
               
               
                   
                 2008-05-01: 10,018 
               
               
                 Last credits update: 
                   
               
               
                 Last payday: 
                 2008-05-01 12:01:01 
               
               
                 Credits: 
                 593 
               
               
                 Debits: 
                 1700 
               
               
                 Options:  
                 a:28:{i:20;b:0;i:21;b:0;i:22;b:0;i:31;b:0; 
               
               
                   
                 i:33;b:0;i:15;b:0;i:16;b:0;i:19;b:0;i:24; 
               
               
                   
                 b:0;i:34;b:1;i:35;b:0;i:37;b:0;i:36;b:0; 
               
               
                   
                 i:32;b:0;i:30;b:0;i:14;b:0;i:18;b:0;i:23;b: 
               
               
                   
                 0;i:29;b:0;i:17;b:0;i:28;b:0;i:26;b:0;i:27; 
               
               
                   
                 b:0;i:25;b:1;i:192 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     An administrator may also view comments as shown in the following table. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 User Comments Screen 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Id: 
                 15 
               
               
                   
                 User: 
                 68 
               
               
                   
                 Team Name:  
                 TEAM ABC 
               
               
                   
                 Screen Name: 
                 USER4 
               
               
                   
                 Timestamp: 
                 2008-03-31 15:04:44 
               
               
                   
                 Comment: 
                 put more horse colors 
               
               
                   
                 Id: 
                 16 
               
               
                   
                 User: 
                 40 
               
               
                   
                 Team Name:  
                 TEAM XYZ 
               
               
                   
                 Screen Name: 
                 USER8 
               
               
                   
                 Timestamp: 
                 2008-03-31 16:57:43 
               
               
                   
                 Comment: 
                 I can&#39;t seem to upload my steps with  
               
               
                   
                   
                 my ActiLink flashdrive at my house.  
               
               
                   
                   
                 What is the problem? - USER8 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     An administrator may also enter and view data for checkpoints related to landmarks throughout the world. Each checkpoint may have an associated step value for use in determining when a bus has passed a particular checkpoint. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Checkpoint Screen 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Id 
                 Asset 
                 Name 
                 Required Steps 
                 Required Date 
               
               
                   
               
               
                  1 
                  1 
                 The White House 
                   100,000  
                 2008-04-02 00:00:00 
               
               
                  2 
                  2 
                 Machu Picchu 
                   200,000  
                 2008-04-04 00:00:00 
               
               
                  3 
                  3 
                 Serengeti Park 
                   300,000  
                 2008-04-07 00:00:00 
               
               
                  4 
                  4 
                 Eiffel Tower 
                   500,000  
                 2008-04-09 00:00:00 
               
               
                  5 
                  5 
                 The Great Sphinx 
                 1,400,000 
                 2008-04-11 00:00:00 
               
               
                  6 
                  6 
                 Taj Mahal 
                 1,000,000 
                 2008-04-15 00:00:00 
               
               
                  7 
                  7 
                 Great Wall of China 
                 1,200,000 
                 2008-04-17 00:00:00 
               
               
                  8 
                  8 
                 Sydney Opera House 
                     0  
                 2008-04-21 00:00:00 
               
               
                  9  
                  9 
                 Mauna Kea 
                     0  
                 2008-04-23 00:00:00 
               
               
                 10 
                 10 
                 Easter Island 
                     0  
                 2008-04-25 00:00:00 
               
               
                 11 
                 11 
                 Golden Gate Bridge 
                   250,000 
                 2008-04-28 00:00:00 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     An administrator may edit and view data related to screen character or bus upgrades. Upgrades or assets are assigned a number, description, price, release date, and required number of steps. They are assigned to categories so they may be displayed according to category. “Can Buy” fields are used to indicate whether a team and/or user is permitted to purchase a particular asset. Edit and view options associated with assets allow an administrator to change or view details related to each asset. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Upgrades Screen 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Teams 
                 Users 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Can 
                 Can 
                 Asset 
                   
                   
                   
                 Release 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Id 
                 Buy 
                 Buy 
                 Category 
                 Asset 
                 Name 
                 Price 
                 date 
                 Release Steps 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 edit view 
                  1 
                   
                 1 
                 hat 
                 1 
                 10 Gallon Hat 
                 250 
                 2008-03-28  
                 0 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 00:00:00 
                   
               
               
                 edit view 
                  2 
                   
                 1 
                 hat 
                 2 
                 T Cap 
                 100 
                 2008-04-03 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 00:00:00 
                   
               
               
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     The team-based fitness challenge system and method of the present invention allows students to participate in an entertaining and engaging activity that also encourages physical activity. Students are likely to enjoy the challenge because it uses computer technology with which they are familiar. Students can customize a screen character and monitor their own progress as well as their team&#39;s progress. The interface is easy and fun to use so students are likely to want to monitor their progress. In an example embodiment, the physical activity is one in which most children can engage—walking. Although the program may be sponsored by the school, the activity can be performed any time of day, in or out of school and alone or with others, including friends and family. As a result, students are more likely to perform the activity. The challenge also includes an educational component and allows children to learn about places around the world. 
     While certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above, the scope of the invention is not to be considered limited by such disclosure, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention as evidenced by the claims. For example, other physical activities and related devices for measuring activity may be used and fall within the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, a variety of user and team screen characters may be used and fall within the scope of the claimed invention. One skilled in the art would recognize that such modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.