Abstract:
An exercise encourage device can be clipped onto a child&#39;s apparel or an object worn about the person such as shoes, belt, shirt, pants pocket, etc. The device contains a motion-activated mechanism that initiates the device in response to activity by the child. Exemplary activities are running, jumping, skipping, dancing, etc. When a child engages in an energetic activity, this causes the device to flash with light and play a sound track which encourages the child to continue the activity. Exemplary sound tracks include sounds associated with a race car, a fire engine, horses, puppies and kittens. Other sound tracks are contemplated. Ongoing activity continues to activate the device, but if the child stops, the device deactivates until an energetic activity is resumed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/463,207 entitled “Exercise Encouragement Device” and filed on Feb. 14, 2011, which is specifically incorporated by reference herein for all that it teaches and discloses. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to the field of exercise equipment and related devices, and more particularly to an exercise encouragement device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Unfortunately, childhood obesity is becoming a widespread problem in the United States and elsewhere. Children are bombarded with advertisements for high-calorie/high-fat foods targeted specifically at kids. Calorie-rich drinks and foods are readily available to children and it seems that society even encourages children to choose sugar-laden soft drinks, candy, and fast food over healthier alternatives. For example, many advertisements for the soft drink industry target kids and calorie-dense, prepared snacks are sold to parents to send with their kids as “packed lunches” instead of eating a more balanced, hot meal. As childhood obesity has become more prevalent, snack vending machines in school settings have been reduced by law in a small number of localities. And yet, there has also been a trend towards “open” lunch periods which allow children to leave the school setting and seek food from nearby restaurants, etc. Not surprisingly, a study found that fast food restaurants near schools increases the risk of obesity among the student population. The fast food industry spends over $40 billion on advertisements aimed at young children. One popular fast food restaurant alone has thirteen web sites that are viewed by 365,000 children and 294,000 teenagers each month. In addition, fast food restaurants give out toys in children&#39;s meals, further enticing children. 
         [0004]    Compounding the problem, more and more activities for kids are centered around indoor, sedentary pursuits such as video games, texting, browsing the internet, television, movies, etc. Just as in adults, when kids consume more calories than they burn off through exercise, the excess is stored as fat and as the consumption/burn ratio climbs higher, childhood obesity can result. Due to the rising prevalence of childhood obesity and its many adverse health effects it is being recognized as a serious public health concern. 
         [0005]    Although there are many physical problems that can develop in overweight or obese children, the first problems to occur are often emotional or psychological. Obese children often suffer from teasing and abuse by other children. Some children are even harassed or discriminated against by their own family “Fat-kid” stereotypes are common and may lead to low self esteem and depression. As the childhood obesity persists, it can also lead to life-threatening physical conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep problems, and other disorders, including: liver disease, early puberty or menarche, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, skin infections, and asthma and other respiratory problems. Finally, when a child is overweight or obese, that child is more likely to grow up to be an overweight adult, with all the attendant physical, emotion, and societal difficulties. 
         [0006]    Fortunately, because there is a growing awareness of this epidemic, efforts are being made to address the situation. For example, many video games are becoming more interactive and require running, dancing, and other movements. Nevertheless, such changes, although positive, are not getting kids up and outside to run and play. Thus, a need still exists for exercise inducement devices that encourage kids to be more active, and more specifically, that provide positive and desirable auditory and visual feedback when a child engages in exercise activities such as running. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    One embodiment of the present invention is a device that can be clipped onto a child&#39;s apparel (such as shoes, belt, shirt, pants pocket, etc.). The device contains a motion-activated mechanism that initiates the device in response to activity by the child. Exemplary activities are running, jumping, skipping, dancing, etc. When a child engages in an energetic activity, this causes the device to flash with light and play a sound track which encourages the child to continue the activity. Exemplary sound tracks include sounds associated with a race car, a fire engine, horses, and puppies and kittens. Other sound tracks are contemplated. Ongoing activity continues to activate the device, but if the child stops, the device deactivates until an energetic activity is resumed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The aforementioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptions of a preferred embodiment and other embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise encouragement device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise encouragement device; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise encouragement device; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  illustrates an elevational view of the top sidewall of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise encouragement device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3C  illustrates an elevational view of the left sidewall of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise encouragement device; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an elevational view of the left side of an exemplary embodiment of the clip portion of an exercise encouragement device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the clip portion of an exercise encouragement device; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4C  illustrates a perspective view of the right side and top of an exemplary embodiment of the clip portion of an exercise encouragement device; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a perspective view of the top of an exemplary embodiment of the printed circuit board of an exercise encouragement device; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a perspective view of the top of an exemplary embodiment of the printed circuit board of an exercise encouragement device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Referring now to the drawings, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below in the accompanying Figures. The following detailed description provides a comprehensive review of the drawings in order to provide a thorough understanding of, and an enabling description for, these embodiments. One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without certain details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. 
         [0020]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise encouragement device  100  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The exercise encouragement device  100  depicted in  FIG. 1  includes an upper case  110 , a lower case  130 , and a clip portion  150 . The upper case  110  works in combination with the lower case  130  to protect and contain the internal components of the exercise encouragement device  100 . When the upper case  110  is attached to the lower case  130  they form a combination case. The upper case  110  has a plurality of sound holes  117  in proximity to the sound device or speaker that is located inside the device  100 . The speaker can be attached to the upper case  110  and the assembly can be made water resistant with a seal between the speaker and other internal components. 
         [0021]    The upper case  110  is shown as being constructed using an opaque material for ease of illustration. In a preferred embodiment, the upper case  110  will be at least partially translucent or transparent so as to allow the lights or illumination located inside the device to be visible from the outside. In other embodiments, illuminating devices are attached on the exterior of the upper case  110  and/or lower case  130 . 
         [0022]    The lower case  130  attaches to the upper case  110  and helps to protect and contain the inner components. In proximity to the lower case  130  and attached thereto is the clip portion  150 . The clip portion  150  allows the exercise encouragement device  100  to be attached to apparel, book bags, shoe laces, and other items that are worn or carried by a person or are otherwise on the user&#39;s person. 
         [0023]    The internal components are not illustrated in  FIG. 1  (see other FIGs). Nevertheless, the components work together to cause the device  100  to function to encourage the wearer to exercise. This is generally accomplished by providing positive feedback in the form of audio and/or visual feedback that is influenced by the motion of the exercise encourage device  100 . As the user carries the device  100  around, he or she causes internal movement/acceleration sensing device(s) in the device  100  to activate which in turn activate audio and/or visual feedback that encourages the user to continue to move or even accelerate their movements. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise encouragement device  200 . The exemplary components illustrated in  FIG. 2  include the upper case  210 , a printed circuit board  220 , a sound device/speaker  222 , the lower case  230 , a power source  232 , a spring  234 , an attachment screw  258 , and a clip portion  250 . 
         [0025]    The exercise encouragement device  200  depicted in  FIG. 2  illustrates the upper case  210  and how it works in combination with the lower case  230  to protect and contain the internal components of the device  200 . The upper case  210  has a plurality of sound holes (see  FIG. 1 , item  117 ) in proximity to the sound device  222  that is located inside the exercise encouragement device  200 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the sound device  222  is shown as being located above the printed circuit board (PCB)  220 . In other embodiments, the sound device  222  is located under the PCB  220  and under the plurality of sound holes in the upper case  210 . The PCB  220  contains a number of electrical components and circuit pathways that work together with the sound device  222  to produce the lights and sounds that encourage the wearer to exercise. For specific components, see  FIGS. 5A and 5B . The lower case  230  attaches to the upper case  210  and helps to protect and contain the inner components. 
         [0026]    The circuit board  220  is in electrical communication with the other electronic components such as the power source  232 , speaker  222 , light source  571 , vibration sensor switch  521 , and power switch  573 . 
         [0027]    In proximity to the lower case  230  and preferably attached thereto is the clip portion  250 . The clip portion  250  allows the device  200  to be attached to apparel, book bags, shoe laces, and other items that are worn or carried by a person. Between the clip portion  250  and the lower portion  230  is the power source  232  (in this illustration, a button battery) and the spring  234 . The spring  234  serves to hold the power source  230  in position and ensures solid electrical contact is made between the components. 
         [0028]    The broken lines in  FIG. 2  represent the direction in which the various components have been moved in order to affect the exploded view illustrated in  FIG. 2  and form no portion of the claimed invention. The broken lines are provided for illustrative purposes only. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise encouragement device showing the upper case  310  and the sound holes  317 . Between the sides of the upper case  310  and the sound holes  317  are two concave surfaces  315 . These surfaces  315  provide gripping locations as well as enhancing the number of varying surfaces that can assist the device in producing a brilliant light display. The cross-hatching/shading illustrated in  FIG. 3A  is an exemplary implementation of reflective/refractive components  313  that can be added in proximity to the light source(s) in order to enhance the flash, dazzle, and visual appeal (i.e., visual stimulation) of light being emitted from the light source(s). In this embodiment, the reflective/refractive components  313  comprise checkering of the inside surface of the upper case  310 . Checkering can comprise a series of concave and/or convex lenses, facets, diamond cuts, etc. Other reflective/refractive components  313  are contemplated. Additionally, reflective/refractive components  313  can be added in the concave surfaces  315  to enhance the light display (as shown in  FIG. 3A ). 
         [0030]      FIG. 3B  illustrates an elevational view of the top sidewall of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise encouragement device. The top sidewall can be generally rounded in shape as it arcs between the left sidewall (see  FIG. 3C ) and right sidewall (the right sidewall is a mirror image of the left sidewall). The sound holes (see  FIG. 3A , item  317 ) are just visible as dark sports on the upper case in  FIG. 3B  and the shape of the concave surfaces  315  of  FIG. 3A  can be seen in  FIG. 3B  as well. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3C  illustrates an elevational view of the left sidewall  314  of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise encouragement device. The right sidewall is not visible in  FIG. 3C , but it is approximately a mirror image of the left sidewall  314 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an elevational view of the right side of an exemplary embodiment of the clip portion  450  of an exercise encouragement device; the clip portion  450  is shown in an upside down orientation. The clip portion  450  comprises a base  451 , an elbow  454 , a clasp  452  having a plurality of gripping surfaces  453 , a latch tab  459  and an attachment screw  458 . The base  451  acts in concert with the clasp  452  to hold items placed therebetween such that the clip portion  450  remains attached to items once correctly positioned. 
         [0033]    The gripping surfaces  453  assist in securing items as well (here, the gripping surfaces resemble backwards pointing teeth, other types of gripping surfaces are contemplated). The elbow  454  serves to provide tension between the clasp  452  and base  451  and the elbow  454  also has a lanyard hole  455  in it through which a shoelace, carabiner, lanyard, etc. can be strung to act as an additional attachment means besides the clip portion  450 . In other embodiments, no lanyard hole is contemplated. The base  451  has a latch tab  459  that fits into a slot on the lower case. Opposite the latch tab  459  is a screw  458 , together they function to secure the clip portion  450  to the lower case. The spring  434  actuates against the power source inside the lower case to ensure proper electrical connection. Turning the screw and removing the clip portion  450  allows access to the power source and replacement thereof. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the clip portion  450  of an exercise encouragement device. The clip portion  450 , as shown in  FIG. 4B , displays the following components: the base  451 , the clasp  452 , the spring  434 , the latch tab  459 , and the screw  458 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 4C  illustrates a perspective view of the right side and top of an exemplary embodiment of the clip portion  450  of an exercise encouragement device. The clip portion  450 , as shown in  FIG. 4C , displays the following components in more detail: the elbow  454 , the screw  458 , the spring  434 , the latch tab  459 , and the screw  458 . Also shown is a retaining spacer  436  that goes over the end of the screw  458  before the screw  458  is attached to the lower case. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a perspective view of the top of an exemplary embodiment of the PC board  520  of an exercise encouragement device. The printed circuit (PC) board  520  has a vibration sensor switch  521  that is used to sense the movement and acceleration of a child (or other wearer) during energetic activities. Various vibration sensor switches  521  can be utilized. On each side of the switch  521  is a light source (here, red LEDs). Other light sources are contemplated. Underneath the PC board  520  is a power switch  573 . 
         [0037]    The power switch  573  functions to turn the device on and off. Also, it can be used as a user interface as well. For example, the device can be turned on by initially pressing the power switch  573 . This results in a startup sound playing through the speaker and a rapid firing of the LEDs to give a light indication that the unit is on. Now, once the wearer of the device begins to engage in an energetic activity, he or she activates the vibration sensor switch  521  causing the lights to flash alternatively and a sound track to play for approximately eight to twelve seconds. Once the energetic activity ends, the lights and sounds stop in 3 seconds. If there is no additional movement by the wearer, the lights flash every ten seconds (four flashes from one light, alternating with four flashes from the other light, all accomplished in one second). Then ten seconds later, the eight flashes repeat again. The number, duration, and pattern of flashes as well as the number of light sources and periods of time can all vary in other embodiments. 
         [0038]    Once the unit is on, pressing the power switch  573  will switch between the available sound tracks (fire truck, race car, horses, puppies and kittens). Other sound tracks can be added via a USB port or other I/O port in other embodiments. Holding down the power switch  523  for more than one second will turn the unit off. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a perspective view of the top of an exemplary embodiment of the PC board  520  of an exercise encouragement device. The printed circuit (PC) board  520  has a vibration sensor switch  521  that is used to sense the movement and acceleration of a child (or other wearer) during energetic activities. On each side of the switch  521  is a light source  571 . Other light sources are contemplated. Underneath the PC board  520  is a power switch  573 . Also shown in  FIG. 5B  is an electrical connector  577 . 
         [0040]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been described and disclosed in the present application, it should be understood that any number of permutations, modifications, or embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is not the intention of this application to limit this invention in any way except as by the appended claims. 
         [0041]    Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention. 
         [0042]    The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
         [0043]    In light of the above “Detailed Description,” the Inventor may make changes to the invention. While the detailed description outlines possible embodiments of the invention and discloses the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the spirit of the invention as disclosed by the inventor. As discussed herein, specific terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
         [0044]    While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention. 
         [0045]    The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of the described articles of manufacture and methods. It is important to note that many implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.