Patent Publication Number: US-2019168071-A1

Title: Wearable Fitness Band For Measuring Body Parts

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/138,828, filed Sep. 21, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/561,538, filed Sep. 21, 2017, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     For bodybuilders, trainers, and other fitness-oriented individuals, one form of evaluating progression and goals is to track the physical changes in the size of a body part. The conventional approach typically includes using a fabric measuring tape similar to the ones used by tailors, to measure a body part and evaluate growth (or reduction as desired). Typically this is done pre-performance or post-performance of an exercise session. For the dedicated athlete however this may fall short of their needs. Some athletes would benefit from evaluating if an exercise/resistance level is providing enough muscle fiber engagement during performance to immediately react to the current level of exertion. 
     Currently there are no products currently available that provide such immediate and meaningful feedback regarding an individual&#39;s performance and the change in size of a particular body part. Improvements are therefore needed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the disclosure, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is front perspective view of a fitness band system during use by a user that includes a fitness band device for making body part measurements and a mobile device that is used with the fitness band system; 
         FIG. 2  a top plan view of the fitness band device of  FIG. 1 , shown with band spacers of different lengths for selectively shortening or lengthening the fitness band; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a representative data processing system of the fitness band system that may be used in illustrative embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the fitness band system in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the fitness band device of  FIG. 1 , shown with a cutaway of a strap portion of the fitness band to reveal a band position sensor of the fitness band; 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the fitness band device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of a display of the mobile device of  FIG. 1 , shown with an exemplary screen of the mobile device display wherein recording measurements for a particular body part may be initiated; 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of the display of the mobile device of  FIG. 1  showing a screen of the display during recording of a measurement session; 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of a chart history screen of the display of the mobile device of  FIG. 1  during a chart-history mode of operation of the fitness band system; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of a history screen of the display of the mobile device of  FIG. 1  during a session-history mode of operation of the fitness band system; 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of a playback screen of the display of the mobile device of  FIG. 1  during a session-playback mode of operation of the fitness band system; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of a goal-setting screen of the display of the mobile device of  FIG. 1  during a goal-setting mode of operation of the fitness band system; 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of a setting selection screen of the display of the mobile device of  FIG. 1  during a setting-selection mode of operation of the fitness band system; and 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of a band spacer selection screen of the display of the mobile device of  FIG. 1  during a band-spacer-selection mode of operation of the fitness band system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a fitness band system  10  is shown with a wearable fitness band device  12  being worn on the bicep  14  of a user  16  while performing dumbbell curls as the user is holding a dumbbell. Although the fitness band  12  is shown being used on the user&#39;s bicep  16 , it may be worn on other body parts of a user to measure changes in dimension of size of the particular body part on which it is worn. Furthermore, the fitness band device  12  may be worn during numerous different activities and is not limited to dumbbell curls, as is shown. 
     The fitness band  12  is configured to be wrapped around the circumference of a body part to be measured. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the band  12  includes an electronic device  18  secured to a strap assembly  20 . The electronic device  18  includes a housing  22  for housing internal electronic components of the electronic device  18 , such as a power source or battery, circuitry, processor, memory, etc. This may be in the form of a computer or data processing system  24 , as shown schematically in  FIG. 3 . 
     The electronic device  18  may be self-contained and provided on the fitness band  12  itself, with all necessary components necessary to carry out the functions and tasks of measuring, providing feedback, recording, storing goals, etc., for full functioning and use of the fitness band  12 , as it is described herein. In such instances, the fitness band  12  constitutes the entire fitness band system  10 . In other instances, the electronic device  18  of the fitness band device  12  may be used in conjunction with a mobile device  26 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In such cases, the fitness band  12  and the mobile device  26  together may constitute the fitness band system  10 . In other embodiments, the electronic device  18  of the fitness band device  12  is used with other separate devices, wherein the fitness band system  10  may include the fitness band device  12 , the mobile device  26  and such other devices used in connection with the device  12 . 
     The mobile device  26  can also include a data processing system, such as the data processing system  24  ( FIG. 3 ) or a similar data processing system with all or less than all of the components described with respect to the processing system  24  of  FIG. 3 . The mobile device  26  may constitute a smartphone (e.g., iPhone® mobile phone, Android® mobile phone, etc.). In some embodiments, the mobile device  26  may be a laptop, a tablet computer, or any other portable electronic computing device having analogous components capable of providing similar functionality. The mobile device  26  may be in continuous or periodic communication with the electronic device  18 , such as through a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth® wireless, Wi-Fi, cellular, etc.) or wired communication link for transmitting data between the mobile device  26  and the electronic device  18  of the fitness band device  12 . 
     The block diagram of  FIG. 3  shows the data processing system  24  in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented, either with the electronic device  18  of the fitness band  12  or the mobile device  26 , or both. Other data processing or computer systems may also be employed with the fitness band  12  and/or mobile device  26 . These may include a network of computers or computing devices, with the network being the medium used to provide communications links between various devices and computers connected together within the fitness band system  10 . 
     The data processing system  24  is an example of a computer in which computer usable program code or instructions implementing processes described herein may be located. In this illustrative example, data processing system  24  provides a platform for the carrying out the various functions of the fitness band system and includes communications fabric  28 , which provides communications between processor unit  30 , memory  32 , persistent storage  34 , communications unit  36 , input/output (I/O) unit  38 , display  40 , etc. 
     Processor unit  30  serves to execute instructions for software that may be loaded into memory  32 . Processor unit  30  may be a set of one or more processors or may be a multi-processor core, depending on the particular implementation. Further, processor unit  30  may be implemented using one or more heterogeneous processor systems in which a main processor is present with secondary processors on a single chip. As another illustrative example, processor unit  30  may be a symmetric multi-processor system containing multiple processors of the same type. 
     Memory  32  and persistent storage  34  are examples of storage devices. A storage device is any piece of hardware that is capable of storing information, on a temporary basis and/or a permanent basis. Memory  32 , in these examples, may be, for example, a random access memory or any other suitable volatile or non-volatile storage device. Persistent storage  34  may take various forms depending on the particular implementation. For example, persistent storage  34  may contain one or more components or devices. For example, persistent storage  34  may be a hard drive, a flash memory, a rewritable optical disk, a rewritable magnetic tape, or some combination of the above. The media used by persistent storage  34  also may be removable. 
     Communications unit  36 , in these examples, provides for communications with other data processing systems, devices, and/or components. In these examples, communications unit  36  may be a network interface device. Communications unit  36  may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links (e.g., Bluetooth® wireless, Wi-Fi, cellular, etc.). 
     Input/output unit  38  allows for input and output of data with other devices or components that may be connected to data processing system  24 . For example, input/output unit  38  may provide a connection for input through buttons, sensors, a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, gesture commands, voice commands, etc. Display  40  provides a mechanism to display information to a user. 
     Instructions for the operating system and applications or programs may be located on persistent storage  34 . These instructions may be loaded into memory  32  for execution by processor unit  30 . The processes may be performed by processor unit  30  using computer implemented instructions, which may be located in a memory, such as memory  32 . These instructions are referred to as program code, computer usable program code, or computer readable program code that may be read and executed by a processor in processor unit  30 . The program code in the different embodiments may be embodied on different physical or tangible computer readable media, such as memory  32  or persistent storage  34 . 
     Program code  42  is located in a functional form on computer readable media  44  that is selectively removable and may be loaded onto or transferred to data processing system  24  for execution by processor unit  30 . Program code  42  and computer readable media  44  form computer program product  46  in these examples. In one example, computer readable media  44  may be in a tangible form, such as, for example, an optical or magnetic media that is inserted or placed into a drive or other device that is part of persistent storage  34  for transfer onto a storage device, such as a hard drive that is part of persistent storage  34 . In a tangible form, computer readable media  44  also may take the form of a persistent storage, such as a hard drive, a thumb drive, or a flash memory that is connected to a data processing system. The tangible form of computer readable media  44  is also referred to as computer recordable storage media. In some instances, computer recordable media  44  may not be removable. 
     In many cases, program code  42  may be transferred to data processing system  24  from computer readable media  44  through a communications link to communications unit  36  and/or through a connection to input/output unit  38 . The communications link and/or the connection may be physical or wireless. The computer readable media also may take the form of non-tangible media, such as communications links or wireless transmissions containing the program code. 
     In some illustrative embodiments, program code  42  may be downloaded over a network to persistent storage  34  from another device or data processing system for use within data processing system  24 . For instance, program code stored in a computer readable storage medium in a server data processing system may be downloaded over a network from the server to data processing system  24 . The data processing system providing program code  42  may be a server computer, a client computer, or some other device capable of storing and transmitting program code  42 , which may located in a remote location. 
     The different components illustrated for data processing system  24  are not meant to provide architectural limitations to the manner in which different embodiments may be implemented. The different illustrative embodiments may be implemented in a data processing system including components in addition to or in place of those illustrated for data processing system  24 . Other components shown in  FIG. 3  can be varied from the illustrative examples shown. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of the fitness band system in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented. The fitness band system  10  may include the fitness band device  12  and/or cooperating mobile devices (e.g., mobile device  26 ) and/or other computer or data processing systems and their communication links. The electronic device  18  and/or mobile device  26 , and/or any other computer or data processing system of the system  10  is provided with a client application in the form of a native mobile application  52 . The native application  52  may be obtained from an application service provider (ASP) that provides the application software to the electronic device  18  of the fitness band  12  and/or mobile device  26 . The application  52  may be part of a web-based system platform wherein functions described herein may be performed on other devices, through either a dedicated application or a web-browser interface. Users may provide login credentials to access and enter information and create user profiles on the fitness band system  10  that is then accessible from any device by providing the same login credentials. 
     The application  52  may be provided by the ASP either free of charge or for a fee. Furthermore, once the application  52  is purchased, use of the application  52  may be provided free of charge or the ASP may require the user to purchase a subscription or pay a licensing fee, which may be payable on a periodic basis, for the continued use of the application  52  or for access to the fitness band system  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the native application  52  is stored in data storage  54  of the system  10 . The data storage  54  may include memory (RAM) and persistent storage, with all or a portion of the native application  52  being stored on these. A computer processor unit  56  is provided with the system  10  for running programs and processing data. A communications module  58 , including hardware and software, provides communications from and to the fitness band  12  through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links, and allows the fitness band  12  to connect to a network. 
     The fitness band  12  of the system  10  is also provided with a sensor  60 . The sensor  60  is that which senses a change in dimension of the wearable fitness band  12  or strap assembly  20  while the strap assembly  20  is wrapped around a selected body part. The sensor  60  allows the sensing and collecting of data related to the change in dimension of the strap assembly  20  that corresponds to the change in dimension to the body part on which it used. The native application  52  makes use of the sensor  60  to sense and collect sensor data that is then provided to one or more of the data collection modules  62  ( FIG. 3 ) of the data processing system  24 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the sensor  60  may be in the form of a stretch sensor that forms a part or section of the strap assembly  20  of the fitness band  12  and is coupled at one end to one side of the electronic device  18 . The stretch sensor  60  is typically in the form of an elastic body that resiliently expands and contracts when force is applied to or removed from the elastic body. In most cases, the stretching force will be applied primarily from opposite ends of the elastic body, wherein its length is increased or decreased as force is applied or removed from the ends of the elastic body. 
     The stretch sensor  60  may be an elastic stretch sensor. Such sensors may be electronic sensors that provide a sensed data output relating to changes in electrical properties due to the stretching or deformation of the elastomeric sensor. Such elastic stretch sensors include those formed from flexible capacitors that provide sensed data output relating to a change in capacitance due to the change in the dimensions or deformation of the flexible capacitor. Such flexible capacitor sensors usually employ one or more elastomeric dielectric layers sandwiched between elastomeric electrodes. The change in capacitance may be due to changes in surface area of the elastomeric electrodes, thickness of the elastomeric dielectric, and/or electrode spacing, which result from the deformation of the elastomeric capacitor. Non-limiting examples of commercially available flexible capacitors are those stretch sensors available from StretchSense Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. In other embodiments, the stretch sensor may be in the form of a resistance sensing device, such as a strain gauge or other device where changes are measured by a change in the electrical resistance due to changes in shape or deformation due to applied force. Other stretch sensors capable of measuring changes in dimension and providing data or information output that relates to a change in dimension of a body part may also be used for the stretch sensor. 
     The components of the stretch sensor  60  may be encased in a stretchable or elastic fabric material, such as Spandex fabric, which may be colored, sized and configured to match or cooperate with the materials forming all or some portions of the strap assembly  20 . The fabric material or other portions of the stretch sensor may be coupled to the housing  22  of the electronic device  18  though various coupling means. The total length of the stretch sensor  60  when it is in a fully retracted or non-stretched configuration may range from 0.5 inch to 8 inches, more typically from 1 inch to 4 inches. In particular embodiments, the total length of the stretch sensor  60  in a contracted or non-stretched configuration may be at least, equal to, and/or between any two of 0.5 inch, 1 inch, 1.5 inch, 2 inches, 2.5 inches, 3 inches, 3.5 inches, 4 inches, 4.5 inches, 5 inches, 5.5 inches, 6 inches, 6.5 inches, 7 inches, 7.5 inches, and 8 inches. 
     It should be noted in the description, if a numerical value, amount or range is presented, each numerical value should be read once as modified by the term “about” (unless already expressly so modified), and then read again as not so modified unless otherwise indicated in context. Also, in the description, it should be understood that an amount range listed or described as being useful, suitable, or the like, is intended that any and every value within the range, including the end points, is to be considered as having been stated. For example, “a range of from 1 to 10” is to be read as indicating each and every possible number along the continuum between about 1 and about 10. Thus, even if specific points within the range, or even no point within the range, are explicitly identified or referred to, it is to be understood that the inventor appreciates and understands that any and all points within the range are to be considered to have been specified, and that inventor possesses the entire range and all points within the range. 
     The stretch sensor  60  may be designed and configured to provide a linear change in dimension of up to 1.5 times or less of its contracted or non-stretched length. In certain instances, the stretch sensor  60  may be designed and configured to provide a linear change in dimension of at least, equal to, and/or between any two of 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, 1.1, 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, or 0.5 times or less of its contracted or non-stretched length. In particular embodiments, the stretch sensor  60  may provide a change in dimension of from 4 inches or less. This will typically be a change in the length of the stretch sensor. In particular embodiments, the stretch sensor may provide a maximum change in length of from up to any one of 4 inches, 3.5 inches, 3 inches, 2.5 inches, 2 inches, 1.5 inches, 1 inch, 0.75 inch, or 0.5 inch. The stretch sensor  60  may provide a sensed data output in measured increments of 0.1 inch to 0.01 inch or less. The stretch sensor may measure a change in dimension of from 0.01 inch or 0.1 inch or more. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , one end of the stretch sensor  60  is physically coupled to the electronic device  18  of the fitness band. Electrical couplings are provided for receiving signals of sensed data output from the sensor  60  that are transmitted to and received by the electronic device  18 , such as received by the data collection module  62  ( FIG. 3 ) of data processing system  24 . In other embodiments, the stretch sensor  60  may be positioned or spaced away from the electronic device  18  on the strap assembly  20 , with transmission devices or electrical connections for transmitting the sensed data output from the sensor  60  to the data processing system  24  of the fitness band  12 , the mobile device  26  or other computer or data processing system of the system  10 . 
     The strap assembly  20  further includes a strap portion  64 . The strap portion  64  is in the form of a relatively flat, flexible strap, although it may have other configurations, and is coupled at one end to the electronic device  18  or its housing  22  on the opposite side from the stretch sensor  60  through various coupling means. The other end of the strap portion  64  may be provided with a buckle assembly  66  or other fastener to facilitate rigid coupling to other components of the strap assembly  20  to secure the fitness band  12  around the user&#39;s body part being measured. The strap portion  64  should be non-stretchable. This may be achieved by forming the strap portion  64  from relatively non-elastic materials or materials having a low enough elasticity during normal use so that they do not readily stretch lengthwise significantly during use of the fitness band  12 , which may otherwise interfere with the fitness band&#39;s accuracy. 
     The strap portion  64  may be used to house or contain a band position sensor, such as the band position sensor assembly  68  shown in  FIG. 5 . As shown, the position sensor assembly  68  is sheathed or positioned between layers of the materials forming the strap portion  64 . The band position sensor  68  is formed from a flexible circuit that is configured to bend and flex with the flexible strap portion  64 . The circuit  68  may be configured as a simple potentiometer or other electrical device or sensor with linear or circumferentially spaced apart openings or apertures  70  or other structures for engaging or receiving a position coupling  72  ( FIG. 6 ). Each of the openings or apertures  70  is spaced a known distance apart. Individual circuitry (not shown) provided on the circuit  68  connect each of these apertures  70  to the electronic device  18 , which may provide electrical power to the circuit  68 . 
     The position coupling  72  may constitute a circuit insert or contact element. The circuit insert or contact element  72  is a metal or electrically conductive element that is sized and configured to engage or be received within each of the openings or apertures  70 . The apertures  70  are surrounded with an electrically conductive material (e.g., electrically conductive metal) but provide an open circuit in the circuitry associated with the aperture  70  when the aperture remains empty. When the insert  72  is inserted into an aperture  70 , however, the circuit is completed to generate an electrical signal indicative of which aperture  70  the insert  72  is positioned that may be communicated to the data processing system  24 . As is discussed later on, this allows a determination of the dimensions of the fitness band  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , removable band spacers  74 A,  74 B, and  74 C may be provided with the fitness band  12 . The band spacers  74  are each in the form of a relatively flat, flexible strap, although they may have other configurations. Like the strap portion  64 , the band spacers  74 A,  74 B,  74 C should be formed from non-stretchable material. This may include materials that are relatively non-elastic material or that have a low enough elasticity during normal use so that it does not stretch lengthwise significantly during use of the fitness band  12 . By making all of the components of the strap assembly  20  other than the stretch sensor  60  from non-stretchable materials, only the stretch sensor  60  is allowed to stretch so that accuracy of the fitness band  12  is maintained. 
     Each band spacer  74 A,  74 B,  74 C may be of a different known length, such as small, medium, and large, respectively, to selectively increase or decrease the length of the strap assembly  20 . While in the embodiment shown there are three different band spacers  74 , additional band spacers of different lengths or sizes may be provided with the fitness band  20  as well. Band spacers  74  of different sizes allow the fitness band  12  to accommodate body parts of different sizes. The band spacers  74  may differ in size by the amount of normal or maximum lengthwise deformation the stretch sensor  60  can undergo. For example, if the stretch sensor  60  can stretch or undergo a maximum change in length of up to 2 inches during normal use, each band spacer  74 A,  74 B,  74 C may be 2 inches longer than the next size down to accommodate for the limits of stretch or deformation the stretch sensor can undergo. 
     This allows the band  12  to be used on different size body parts without overstretching the stretch sensor  60  or stretching it beyond its maximum limits. In particular embodiments, the fitness band  12 , with or without any necessary band spacers  74 , may be configured to be strapped or secured around a body part to be measured of from 8 inches to 50 inches, with from 10 inches to 25 inches being typical. In particular embodiments, the fitness band  12 , with or without any necessary band spacers  74 , may be configured to be strapped or secured around a body part to be measured of at least, equal to, and/or between any two of 8 inches, 9 inches, 10 inches, 11 inches, 12 inches, 13 inches, 14 inches, 15 inches, 16 inches, 17 inches, 18 inches, 19 inches, 20 inches, 21 inches, 22 inches, 23 inches, 24 inches, 25 inches, 26 inches, 27 inches, 28 inches, 29 inches, 30 inches, 31 inches, 32 inches, 33 inches, 34 inches, 35 inches, 36 inches, 37 inches, 38 inches, 39 inches, 40 inches, 41 inches, 42 inches, 43 inches, 44 inches, 45 inches, 46 inches, 47 inches, 48 inches, 49 inches, and 50 inches. 
     One end of each band spacer  74  is provided with a loop or other attachment portion  76  for removably or detachably coupling the end of the spacer  74  to the strap assembly  20 . In the embodiment shown, a buckle or clip  78  is used to couple the band spacer  74  to the end of the stretch sensor  60  opposite the electronic device  18 . Various other releasable fasteners may be used to releasably attach one end of the band spacer  74  to the stretch sensor  60  or other portions of the strap assembly  20 . 
     The insert element  72  is coupled to the opposite end of the band spacer  74 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . The insert  72  is located at a known position on the band spacer  74 . When the strap assembly  20  is positioned and worn on the body part to be measured, the insert element  72  of any one of the band spacers  74 A,  74 B,  74 C, is inserted into one of the apertures  70  on strap portion  64 . Because the spacing or distance of each of the apertures  70  of the position sensor  68  is known and the position of the insert  72  on the band spacer  74  is known, when the strap assembly  20  is secured to and worn on the body part of the user, the length of the strap assembly  20  can be known. Thus, changes in dimension of the stretch sensor  60  can be used to directly measure changes in the dimensions of the body part on which the device  12  is worn. 
     A series of holes or apertures  80  may also be provided in the band spacer for engaging the prong  82  of buckle  66  to facilitate securing of the strap assembly  20  on the body part being measured. In some embodiments, the buckle  66  may be eliminated and the position coupling or insert element  72  may be used to couple the band spacer  74  to the strap assembly  20 . 
     In other embodiments, the removable band spacers  74  may be eliminated or a strap portion or band spacer  74  may be permanently or non-removably attached to the sensor  60  or other portions of the strap assembly  20 . In one embodiment, the strap portion  64  is merely attached at one end to the electronic device  18  and at the other end to the stretch sensor  60 , without the use of any band spacers and without requiring the circuit  68 . In still other embodiments, the stretch sensor  60  is positioned between two strap portions that are secured at each end to the electronic device  18 . In still other embodiments, all or a portion of the strap assembly  20  may be formed from the stretch sensor  60 . 
     The various portions or components of the fitness band  12  (e.g., strap assembly  20 , strap portion  64 , band spacer  74 , electronic device  18 , electronic device housing  20 , buckle  66 , clip  78 , etc.), other than the stretch sensor  60 , may be non-stretchable so that they do not stretch lengthwise significantly during use of the fitness band  12 , thus contributing to inaccurate measurements measure by the stretch sensor  60 . The electronic device housing  20 , stretch sensor  60 , strap portion  64 , band spacers  74 , etc., or components thereof, may be formed from durable and sweat or water-resistant materials. Typically, these components or portions thereof may be formed of elastomeric or plastic material, such as nitrile butadiene, silicone, PVC, polyurethane, isoprene, neoprene, and the like. Other materials, such as fabric (e.g., nylon fabric), braided cordage, leather and other materials may be used provided they provide the non-elastic or limited stretching required. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the electronic device  18  is provided with a display  84  for providing information to the user. The display  84  may be an LCD, OLED, or other type of display. In certain embodiments, instructions may be provided to the electronic device  18 , such as by manual input by the user, to selectively provide a reverse, rotated, and/or upside-down or flipped image of the display  84 . This may allow the user to flip or reorient the display image, such as after it is positioned on a particular body part, but where the information displayed is initially upside down or at a particular angle. Instead of reorienting the fitness band  12  so that the display image is right-side up or at the desired angle, the user may merely provide an instruction to reorient the image so that it is flipped or rotated (e.g., 180 degrees, 90 degrees, etc.) on the display  84  itself. In addition, instructions to the electronic device  18  may be provided to reverse the displayed image so that everything in the display  84  is shown as a mirror image. This may allow the user to view the display  84  as a reflection in a mirror so that information is properly oriented while viewing the mirror reflection of the display  84 . The display  84  may also be selectively switched off in an incognito mode, so that no or only selected information is displayed on the display  84 . This prevents others around from viewing information on the display  84  that the user may not want them to see. Accelerometers and/or gyroscopes (not shown) or other sensors may also be provided with the electronic device  18  to facilitate providing instructions, which may be automatic, for orienting the image of the display  84 , as occurs with current smart phones. Such a feature may be disabled or enabled, as the user prefers. 
     One or more control buttons  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92  may be provided on the electronic device  18 . These form at least a part of the input/output unit  38  ( FIG. 3 ) and allow the user to control the functionality of the fitness band  12  and to input various instructions or commands to the data processor  24 , such as adjusting the display  84 , powering the device on and off, navigating to different screens, prompting and recording measurements, etc. In other embodiments, the display  84  may constitute a touch screen wherein touch input to the screen may be made to provide commands or instructions. Sensors or other devices may be provided with the electronic device  18  apart from any touch screen assembly so that input may be provided by tapping or touching the device  18  in a certain way at a particular location or providing a series or a pattern of such tapping or touching (e.g., tapping an edge of the housing  20 , etc.) at such a location to provide instructions or commands. In still other embodiments, the electronic device  18  may include sensors, microphones, cameras or optical devices wherein non-touch input may be provided to the device  18  and processor  24 . This may include gestures, movements, audio commands, etc., that are detected proximal to the device  18  without requiring touching the device  12 . 
     As discussed previously, the electronic device  18  may communicate, such as through a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth® wireless, Wi-Fi, cellular, etc.) or wired communication link, with a separate mobile device, such as the mobile device  26 , or another device, such as laptop or tablet computer, desktop computer, remote server, etc. In many instances, the fitness band  12  will be used in conjunction with a mobile device  26 , such as a smart phone. For purposes of discussion, the use of the fitness band  12  with a smart phone mobile device will therefore be described. It should be readily apparent, however, that the fitness band  12  may be used by itself or with other devices, such as non-smart phone devices of laptops, tablets, desktop computers, etc., with similar functionality as that described with respect to the smart phone mobile device  26 . 
     The mobile device  26  or other device may be provided with a native application, such as the native application  52  ( FIG. 4 ) that provides functionality with and communication with the electronic device  18  of the fitness band  12 . 
     The mobile device  26  is also provided with a display  94  for displaying information. The display  94  may constitute a touch screen so that instructions and commands can be input to the mobile device  26 . Other control buttons, sensors, microphones, cameras, optical devices, etc. may be provided with the mobile device  26 , for inputting commands and instructions to the mobile device  26 . In an alternative embodiment, the electronic device  18  of the fitness band  12  may not be provided with the display  84 . Data or information from or collected by the fitness band  12  may be communicated to the mobile device  26  and such information may be displayed on the display  94  of the mobile device  26  instead. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-14 , an enlarged view of the display  94  of mobile device  26  is shown with different examples of display screens provided by the native application on the mobile device  26 . On the display  94 , users may initially be provided with a login screen (not shown) where credentials are entered to access and enter information and create user profiles on the fitness band system  10  that is then accessible from any device by providing the same login credentials. It should be noted that while the following discussion describes the use of the interface and screen displays provided on the mobile device  26 , the same or similar display screens and interface configurations, with all or at least a portion of the same information, may be provided on the display  84  of the electronic device  18  of the fitness band  12 . Input devices, such as the control buttons  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 , may be used to similarly provide instructions or commands corresponding to those discussed for the mobile device  26 , as well. 
     Furthermore, instructions or commands input into either the mobile device  26  or the fitness band  12 , such as an instruction to begin measuring, may be simultaneously transmitted to the other device. Thus, if the user inputs an instruction to the mobile device  26  to begin measuring, the instruction will be transmitted to the fitness band  12 , which will begin measuring. In this way, the mobile device  26  can be used to control the operation of the fitness band  12 . Likewise, instructions or input into the fitness band  12 , such as to display goals, may be similarly transmitted to the mobile phone  26  so that such goals are presented on both the fitness band  12  and mobile device  26 . 
     In recording a body part measurement, the fitness band  12  is secured around a particular body part to measured, such as the bicep of the user  16 , shown in  FIG. 1 . An appropriate band spacer  74 A,  74 B, or  74 C may be selected and used to provide the necessary length for the strap assembly  20  so that it can be secured around the body part. In securing the fitness band around the body part, the circuit insert  72  of the band spacer  74  is inserted into one of the openings or apertures  70  to make contact with the band position sensor circuit  68 . The choice of band spacer  74  and position of the circuit insert  72  into one of the apertures  74  of the strap assembly  20  will be selected to provide a fairly snug fit so that there is little slack that would interfere with accurate measurements. In some cases, the stretch sensor  60  may be stretched or expanded slightly, with the elastic material of the sensor  60  providing a contracting force so that the strap assembly  20  fits snugly around the body part being measured. Because the length of the band spacer  74  and other components of the strap assembly  20  are known, the spacing or distance of each of the apertures  70  of the position sensor  68  is known, the position of the insert  72  on the band spacer  74  is known, and the amount of deformation of the stretch sensor  60  is known, when the strap assembly  20  is secured to and worn on the body part of the user, the length of the entire strap assembly  20  can be calculated and determined. This will correlate to the circumferential dimension of the body part on which the strap assembly  20  is secured. 
     Length or dimension information for the strap assembly  20  may be immediately provided to the electronic device  18  and displayed in real time on the display, such as at  104  on the display  84  ( FIG. 2 ) and/or at  106  on the display  94  of the mobile device  26  ( FIG. 7 ). Because the components of the strap assembly  20  other than the stretch sensor  60  are non-stretchable or undergo very little lengthwise stretching under normal use, only the stretch sensor  60  changes dimension. Data regarding the degree of stretch or dimension of the stretch sensor  60  is provided to the processor  24  and, coupled with the known lengths and/or positions of the components of the strap assembly  20 , an output reflecting the current dimension of the body part on which the fitness band  12  is worn can be provided. The current dimension can be immediately displayed in real time on the displays  84 ,  96  at  104 ,  106 , respectively, so that the user can see real-time information or data relating to the dimensions of the body part being measured. Thus, changes in dimension of the stretch sensor  60  can be used to measure changes in the dimensions of the body part on which the device  12  is worn. 
       FIG. 7  shows an exemplary screen display  96  that is ready to begin recording measurements for a particular body part. As discussed, a similar screen may be provided on the display  84  of the fitness band  12 , as well. In the embodiment shown, a set of different selection icons or buttons  98 ,  100 ,  102  are provided at the bottom of the screen  96 . As an example, the control buttons  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 , may also correspond to any one of the selection icons  98 ,  100 ,  102 . The screen  96  also includes a capture input icon or button  108 . This may also correspond to one of the control buttons  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 . A body part indicator and menu  110  with a dropdown menu arrow  112  may be used to input the particular body being or to be measured. In the example shown, the left arm indicator is being displayed at  110 . This indicates that the left arm has been selected to be the body part of interest. By using the dropdown arrow  112 , a selection of different body parts may be provided and selected from the menu. Once selected, the body part (e.g., left arm) will be indicated in the indicator  110 . The user may input the various body part selections into the menu or the menus of the devices may be pre-populated with the selections by the native application. On screen  96 , the capture button  108  may be provided with an appearance to indicate capturing has started or not started. 
     An indication may also be provided on the screen  96  to show that the mobile device  26  is connected or paired with the fitness band  12 . A settings selection icon  114  may allow the user to launch and access a pairing screen (not shown) for entering instructions or commands for pairing the mobile device  26  with the fitness band  12 . 
     Also provided on the screen  94  are minimum and maximum measured dimensions  116 ,  118  during a selected interval or session. 
     When the capture button  108  is activated, the fitness band will begin measuring and recording a measurement session. This is shown on the screen  120  of  FIG. 8  with an indication being displayed at  122 . The screen  120  is similar to the screen  96 , with similar components or elements being labeled with the same reference numeral. And unless otherwise described or is apparent from its context, similar components or elements may be labeled with the same reference numeral for each of the different display screens of  FIGS. 7-14  of the mobile device display  94 . The appearance of the capture button  108  also may be changed to show that session measurements are being captured. 
     To end capturing of the measuring session, the capture button  108  may be actuated again. The measurement data may be stored in the memory  32  and/or persistent storage  32  of the data processing system  24  of the fitness band  12  and/or mobile device  24 . It may also be transmitted and stored at a remote location, such as a remote server or computer (e.g., cloud storage), where the data may be accessed using the fitness band  12  and/or mobile device  26 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , a minimum and maximum measurement  116 ,  118  are displayed for the session. 
     If the user wishes to review a charted history of minimum and maximum measurements over various sessions, the user may select the charted history access icon  98 . This launches a charted history screen  124  ( FIG. 9 ). The screen  124  shows a graphical representation of minimum and maximum measured body part dimensions during past sessions. A goal indicator  126  indicative of a user&#39;s measurement goal, which the user may input, is also displayed. A navigation button  128  allows the user to close or return to the previous screen or to another screen of the display  94 . Again, similar displays and navigation can be provided on the electronic device  18  of the fitness band  12 , as well. 
     The user may review more detailed information for the captured sessions by actuating the history access icon  100  for the body part selected at  110  ( FIG. 7 ). This launches a history screen  130  of  FIG. 10 . The history screen  130  shows individual data for each of the sessions captured with the system  10 . Data for each session may include the minimum and maximum measurements, the date and time the session began or ended, duration of the session, etc. A replay button icon  132  may be provided with each listed session. 
     Actuating the replay icon  132  for a particular session launches a session replay screen  134 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . The replay screen  134  shows various information from the measurement session. This includes the minimum and maximum measurements of the session, the body part being measured, and the date and time of the session. A time correlated measurement  106  is displayed that correlates to the elapsed time  136  during recording of the measurement session. As shown in  FIG. 11 , during the replay of the session, a measurement of 15.3 inches was measured at 4 seconds into the session. The user can watch a video of the changes in measurements at  106  during replay. A progress bar  138  can be provided to indicate the amount of time that has elapsed during replay between the start and end of the measurement session. The progress bar  138  can be a various configurations, such as straight, sloped, circular, etc. In the embodiment shown, the progress bar  138  may track a circle or loop with the progress bar moving 360 degrees clockwise or counter clockwise around the circle between the start and finish of the recorded session. In other embodiments, it may move inward or outward from the center our perimeter of the circle. Other configurations for showing progress of the recorded playback may also be used. 
     In particular applications, the progress bar  138 , or other control mechanisms, may be used to advance or reverse the replay of the recorded session. Thus, for example, a user may manually move or manipulate the progress bar  138  forward or back to navigate to the different measurements over the duration of the session. 
     A stop/start replay icon button  140  is provided on the screen  134  to start and stop the replay. In some embodiments, manipulation of the progress bar  138  or other areas or controls of the screen  134  may start and stop replay. For instance, if during replay the user touches the progress bar  138 , the replay may be stopped. Similarly, manipulating the progress bar  138  again may restart the replay. 
     A further navigation button  142  may be provided on the screen  134  to close or return to the previous screen or another screen. 
     If the user wishes to review the session history or chart history of another body part, the user may navigate to a screen having the body part indicator icon  110 . By using the dropdown menu arrow  112 , a list of different body parts is displayed and the desired body part can be selected. The selected body part will then be displayed at  110 . Retrieving session chart history and session history for such newly selected body part is the same as that previously described. 
     Setting goals for a particular body part may be achieved by actuating the goal setting icon button  102  ( FIG. 7 ). This launches a goal setting screen  144 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . At the goal setting screen  144 , a “change goal” interface  146  appears. In the embodiment shown, the interface  146  may list the current set goal and when and/or if it may have been last met. Other information may also be provided, such as an indication of the body part for which the goal applies. A goal entry field  148  allows the user to set a desired goal using a launched keyboard  150 . The user may then set the new goal or cancel the entered goal, using set or cancel icon buttons  152 ,  154 , wherein the goal may revert back to the previously set goal data. Upon setting or canceling the “change goal” interface, the previous screen or another screen of the display  94  may appear. Setting goals for different body parts is achieved by selecting the body part indication and selection icon  110  and by using the dropdown menu arrow  112  to navigate to and select the particular body part for which the goal is to be set. 
     Once the goal is set, it may appear on various screens of the display  94 , such as the goal line  126 , shown on the chart history screen  124  of  FIG. 9 , and/or on the display  84  of the fitness band  12 , such as at  156  ( FIG. 2 ). Additionally, when a set goal has been achieved, a notification may be provided by the fitness band  12  and/or mobile device  26  to notify the user that the goal has just been reached during the measurement activity. This may be a visual, haptic, and/or audible notification. Such a feature, as well as other features, may be selectively enabled or disabled by the user. For haptic notifications, a haptic feedback device may be included with the fitness band device  12 , which may provide a vibration or other haptics. 
     Settings for the native application  52  of the mobile device  26 , fitness band  12 , and/or system  10 , may be accessed by actuating settings icon button  114 . Upon actuating, a settings menu screen  158  is launched. The settings menu screen  158  has various setting selections. These may include, but are not limited to, band spacer setup selection  160 , band measurement adjustment  162 , device connectivity selection  164 , such as for pairing the mobile device  26  with the fitness band  12 . Other selections and options may also be provided on the settings menu page  158 . 
     By selecting the band spacer setup selection  160 , a band spacer selection page  166  is launched on the display  94 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . Here, different selections for the different size band spacers  74 A,  74 B,  74 C, etc. are provided. Here a 2XL band spacer is shown as being selected at  168 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , identifying information  170  related to the selected band spacer may be displayed on the display  64  of the fitness band  12 . This informs the user that the correct band spacer information has been entered. By selecting one of the different size band spacers  74 , data is provided to the data processor  24  of the particular band spacer  74  being used. In some embodiments, an autodetect feature may be provided so that the system  10  or band device  12  can automatically detect the particular band spacer being used. Knowing the particular band spacer being used allows the data processor  24 , combined with position data for the circuit insert  72  and data from the stretch sensor  60 , to determine and provide a measurement output relating to the dimension of the strap assembly  20 , which correlates to measurement of the body part being measured. A navigation icon  172  may be provided on the screen  166  for navigating to the previous or a different screen. 
     If there are errors in the measurement or the fitness band device is providing an inaccurate measurement, the user may adjust the measurement by selecting the band measurement adjustment selection  162  on screen  148  ( FIG. 13 ). Upon selection, features for adjusting the measurement readout or recalibrating the device may be made. 
     The device connectivity selection  164 , provides an interface on the display  94  wherein the user can locate and pair the mobile device  26  with a particular fitness band  12  or other devices. 
     As can be appreciated, the fitness band  12 , with or without any mobile device  26 , can be used to perform measurements of a body part of a user. The measurement will typically be the circumference of a person&#39;s limb, such as the forearm, bicep, calf, thigh, etc. Other body parts may also be measured. While the fitness band has particular application to measurement of human body parts, it may also be used for measuring body parts of animals or other objects, as well, for fitness or other non-fitness purposes. 
     In certain applications, more than one fitness band may be worn by a user at a time. Thus, the fitness band may be worn on two different body parts, such as both biceps, or at different positions on the same body part. In such cases, mobile device  26  may be simultaneously paired with or connected to more than one fitness band and the screens and interfaces the mobile device may account for and accommodate displaying information for the two or more fitness bands being used. 
     The fitness band  12  will typically be used during particular activities that may have an effect on the dimensions of the particular body part being measured. Oftentimes this will be weightlifting or strength training activities, although it may be used during other activities as well. In one example, the fitness band  12  may be positioned around one or both biceps of a user and used while the user is performing a set of dumbbell or barbell curls. The fitness band allows the user to see the size and changes in size of the body part in real time, as well as during review and playback. 
     As discussed previously, the orientation of the display may be also varied. If the user is using the fitness band in front of a mirror, the user may reverse the image of the display  84  so that it becomes readable while looking at the display image in the mirror. If the user does not want anyone else to view the display  84  of the fitness band  12  during use, the user may selectively turn the display  84  to an incognito mode where no information or only selected information is displayed on the display  84 . 
     In certain embodiments, the fitness band system  10  may be used in connection with various connected communities or social media platforms. This may include the sharing of measurement results with a community of users. Games and competitions within a community of users may also be performed, where measurement data is used as part of such activities. 
     Other functionality may be included with the fitness band  12 , as well. This may include typical fitness band or tracker functionality, such as GPS tracking, step counting, heart rate monitoring, sleep statistics, time and date display, haptic feedback, music and audio play, etc. The fitness band  12  may even be incorporated with or configured as a smart watch, with all the functionality of a smart watch (e.g., text messaging, emailing, web surfing, phone calling, accessing an electronic personal assistant, fitness tracking, photo display, video display, GPS tracking, step counting, heart rate monitoring, sleep statistics, time and date display, haptic feedback, music and audio play, etc.) coupled with the capability of performing body measurements, as has been described. 
     While the invention has been shown in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.