Abstract:
A computer-implemented system and method for monitoring physical fitness. The method includes providing a website for access via a network by a teacher, an administrator, a student, and a parent, and enabling the teacher to enter student information, wherein the student information includes student identifying information, student grade information, and student physical information. The method further includes storing the student information in a data store, enabling the administrator to view the student information, enabling the student to view student information, and enabling the parent to view the student information.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/105,576, filed on Oct. 15, 2008, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    With medical research indicating the beneficial aspects of exercise in light of decreases in physical activity resulting from modern lifestyles, there is a growing need for a physical fitness monitoring system to encourage sufficient beneficial physical activity for children. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    An aspect of the present invention is directed toward a web-based physical fitness monitoring system, and a method for implementing the same. 
         [0004]    An embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for monitoring physical fitness, the method including: providing a website for access via a network by at least one teacher, at least one administrator, at least one student, and at least one parent, and enabling the at least one teacher to enter student information, wherein the student information includes student identifying information, student grade information, and student physical information. The method further includes storing the student information in a data store, enabling the at least one administrator to view the student information, enabling the at least one student to view student information, and enabling the at least one parent to view the student information. 
         [0005]    The method may further include enabling the teacher to enter at least one assignment; storing the at least one assignment in the data store; enabling the student to view and complete the at least one assignment; and enabling the at least one parent to view the at least one assignment. 
         [0006]    The method may further include enabling the at least one teacher to send an email regarding the assignment to the at least one student. 
         [0007]    The method may further include enabling at least one of the group including the at least one teacher and the at least administrator to view state physical education standards. 
         [0008]    The method may further include enabling at least one of the group including the at least one teacher, the at least one administrator, the at least one student, and the at least one parent to view health and fitness information. 
         [0009]    The method may further include enabling at least one of the group including the at least one teacher, the at least one administrator, the at least one student, and the at least one parent to purchase equipment through the site. 
         [0010]    The method may further include enabling at least one of the group including the at least one teacher, the at least one administrator, the at least one student, and the at least one parent to participate in a health and fitness related community chat forum. 
         [0011]    The method may further include displaying the at least one student&#39;s physical fitness progress. 
         [0012]    Another embodiment of the present invention provides physical fitness monitoring system includes: a network interface and a server including: a teacher database accessed through the network interface by at least one teacher and configured to store teacher information; and a student database accessed through the network interface by at least one of the group including at least one administrator, at least one student, at least one parent, and the at least one teacher, and configured to store student information including student identifying information, student grades, and student physical information. The server is configured to enable the at least one teacher to store teacher information and student information, and enable at least one of the group including the at least one teacher, the at least one administrator, the at least one student, and the at least one parent, to view the student information. 
         [0013]    The system may further include an assignment database accessed through the network interface by at least one of the group including the at least one student, the at least one parent, or the at least one teacher, and configured to store assignments. The server may be further configured to: enable the at least one teacher to store at least one assignment in the assignment database; enable the at least one student to complete the at least one assignment; and enable at least one of the group comprising the at least one teacher, the at least one administrator, the at least one student, and the at least one parent, to view the at least one assignment. 
         [0014]    The server may further be configured to prompt the at least one teacher to send an email regarding the at least one assignment to the at least one student. The server may be further configured to enable at least one of the group including the at least one teacher and the at least administrator to view state physical education standards. The server may be further configured to enable at least one of the group including the at least one teacher, the at least one administrator, the at least one student, and the at least one parent to view health and fitness information. 
         [0015]    The server may be further configured to enable at least one of the group including the at least one teacher, the at least one administrator, the at least one student, and the at least one parent to purchase equipment through the site. The server may be further configured to enable at least one of the group including the at least one teacher, the at least one administrator, the at least one student, and the at least one parent to participate in a health and fitness related community chat forum. The server may be further configured to display the at least one student&#39;s physical fitness progress. 
         [0016]    Another embodiment of the present invention provides a server for a monitoring system, the server includes: a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor and storing program instructions therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions. The program instructions include: providing a website for access via a network by at least one teacher, at least one administrator, at least one student, and at least one parent; enabling the at least one teacher to enter student information, wherein the student information includes student identifying information, student grade information, and student physical information; storing the student information in a data store; enabling the at least one administrator to view the student information; enabling the at least one student to view the student information; and enabling the at least one parent to view the student information. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1A  is a block diagram depicting a web-based monitoring system of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 1B  is a flow chart illustrating a web-based method of monitoring physical fitness according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which a teacher enters student information according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which the teacher creates an assignment according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which a user views state physical education standards according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which a user views health information according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which the teacher views progress according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which a user purchases equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which a user accesses a community chat forum according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which a student views student information according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which a student completes an assignment according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which a parent views student information according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the drawings is intended as a description of embodiments of a web-based physical fitness monitoring system and method provided in accordance with the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the invention may be constructed or utilized. It is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and structures may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. As denoted elsewhere herein, like element numbers indicate like elements or features. Though steps of the method may be illustrated in one order, unless explicitly stated, the steps of the method of the present invention are not limited to any particular order and some of the steps may be optional. 
         [0030]    An embodiment of the present invention provides a web-based physical fitness monitoring system, and a method for implementing the web-based physical fitness monitoring system. An aspect of this monitoring system allows physical education teachers (e.g., school teachers, gym instructors, etc.) to provide access to health and fitness information, student information, assignments, and grades, which may be accessed by students, parents (e.g., biological parents, legal guardians, etc.), and administrators. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1A  is a block diagram depicting a web-based monitoring system of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the monitoring system includes a teacher access device  102  for a teacher to access, through the internet  104  or another network, a server  106 . Access to the server  106  may be limited by requiring, for example, a user name and password, for security purposes. The server  106  provides access for the teacher to a teacher database  108 , a student database  110 , an assignment database  112 , a standards database  114 , and an auxiliary information database  116 . 
         [0032]    The teacher database  108  stores information, such as class periods, number of students, teacher username and password, and other information related to physical education classes. The student database  116  stores information, such as a student&#39;s username and password, grades, physical fitness performance results, current assignments, and other information related to the student&#39;s participation in physical education classes. The assignment database  112  stores assignments, such as quizzes and tests, that are created by the teacher and assigned to the students. 
         [0033]    The standards database  114  stores state physical education standards, including, e.g., standards for each grade level. The teacher may access the standards to determine the standards that are applicable to each lesson and track compliance with the standards throughout the school year. The auxiliary information database  116  stores information, such as health and fitness information including articles and video images. This health and fitness information may include advice for healthful eating, safe and effective techniques for sports, and other training advice. The auxiliary information database  116  may also include a community chat forum, where information about health and fitness may be exchanged, and a portal for purchasing fitness equipment. 
         [0034]    Further, the monitoring system includes a student access device  118  for a student to access the student database  110 , the standards database  114 , and the auxiliary information database  116 , through the internet  104 , or another network, and the server  106 . A parent access device  120  provides parents with access to the student database  110 , the standards database  114 , and the auxiliary information database  116 , through the internet  104 , or other network, and the server  106 . An administrator access device  122  provides administrators, such as principals, access to the teacher database  108 , the student database  110 , the assignment database  112 , the standards database  114 , and the auxiliary information database  116 , through the internet  104 , or other network, and the server  106 . Here, students, parents, and administrators may have different user names and passwords that allow access to certain databases, or certain records in the databases, that are accessed by the server  106 . Limiting access to the databases maintains, privacy with regard to personal or privileged information that is stored on the databases. 
         [0035]    In an embodiment of the present invention, the teacher access device  102 , the student access device  118 , the parent access device  120 , and the administrator access device  122  are personal computers. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1B  is a flow chart illustrating a web-based method of monitoring physical fitness according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1B , a teacher enters student information, which may be stored in the student database  110 , and/or one or more assignments  124 , which may be stored in the assignment database  112 . Next, a student views the student information and/or an assignment  126 . The student may then complete the assignment  128 . Further, a parent may view the student information and/or assignment  130 , and an administrator may view the student information and/or assignment  132 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which the teacher enters student information  124  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the system provides access to a website  202  and prompts the teacher to log into the teacher&#39;s account  204 . Once the teacher is logged into the teacher&#39;s account, the teacher will have access to the teacher database  108  from a teacher home-page with a list of the teacher&#39;s classes, and may then select a student from a list of students in each class. 
         [0038]    If the student record has not been created  206  for the student, the system prompts the teacher to create a student record  208  that will be stored in the student database  110 . If the student record has already been created, then the system will prompt the teacher to enter student information into the student record  210 . This student information could include identifying information, such as name, age, and gender; physical information, such as weight and height; or fitness information, such as heart rate, metabolic rate, or blood pressure. The student information could also include physical ability information, such as the number of push-up or sit-ups that can be performed, how fast the student can run a certain distance, or how far a student can reach past the toes when seated. Once the student information has been received  212 , the student information is stored in the student record  214  in the student database  110 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which the teacher creates an assignment  124  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the system prompts the teacher to log into the teacher&#39;s account. The teacher may decide whether to create a new assignment  304  or edit a previous assignment  306  in the assignment database  112 . To create a new assignment, the system prompts the teacher to enter a new assignment name  308 , and once the new assignment name is entered  310 , it is stored in an assignment record  312  in the assignment database  112 . 
         [0040]    Next, the system prompts the teacher to edit the assignment questions and answers  314 . For example, the teacher could enter a multiple choice question along with four possible answer choices, indicating the correct answer choice. Therefore, when a student completes the assignment, the student will select an answer from the four possible answer choices, and the system will automatically determine whether the student has selected the correct answer and record the grade or score in the student record. In other examples, the teacher could enter a true or false question or a fill-in-the-blank question. The system will store the assignment questions and answers. 
         [0041]    Once the teacher indicates that all of the questions and answers have been entered  318 , the system will prompt the teacher to enter a due date and issue the assignment to selected students and/or classes  320 . Once the assignment to be issued and the due date are entered  322 , the system will issue the assignment and the due date to selected students and/or classes  324 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which a user views state physical education standards according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the system provides access to a website  402 . From the website, the system will prompt a user to log into the user&#39;s account  404  to access the standards database  114 . For example, the user may be the teacher confirming that a lesson plan conforms to a state standard. However, the user may also be a student, a parent, or an administrator that desires to view a state standard. The system prompts the user to select a desired state standard  408  from a list of available state standards. The system also prompts the user to select a desired grade level of the state standards  410 . The system may also provide a standard compliance report so that the teacher, student, parents, and administrators may track the state standards that have been taught in class. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which a user views health information according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the system provides the user with access to a website  502 , and prompts the user to log into the user&#39;s account  504  to access the auxiliary information database  116 . Here, the user may be a teacher, student, parent, or administrator. Next, the system prompts the user to select the health information that the user desires to view  506 . For example, the user may select to view articles  508 , such as articles containing health information. The system then prompts the user to select an article from a list of displayed articles  510 . For example, these articles might concern fitness techniques, diet information, or information regarding managing health conditions. Once the user has selected an article to view, the system displays the selected article  512 . 
         [0044]    Further, the user may select to view restaurant information  514 , such as the calorie content, fat content, and other nutritional information for items available on selected restaurant menus. The user is then prompted to select from a list of displayed restaurants  516 , and the selected restaurant information is displayed  518 . 
         [0045]    Furthermore, the user may select to view sports information  520 , such as techniques and information to assist the user in the practice of a certain sport. The user is then prompted to select a sport  522  and select a sport technique or information of interest  524 . The system then displays the sport technique or information  526 . 
         [0046]    For example, the user may select golf as the sport. From the golf webpage, the user may select to view golf information or golf techniques. The golf technique of driving stance may be selected. Here, driving stance information is displayed, such as keeping your head behind the ball and tilting your shoulders slightly to the right, as well as a photograph of proper technique. Golf information regarding golf standards may be selected. Here, golf standards, such as driving distance and scoring average for an amateur golfer are displayed. 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which the teacher views progress according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the system provides access to a website  602 , and the teacher is prompted to log into the teacher&#39;s account  604 . Next, the teacher is prompted to select a class, student, and/or assignment to review the status of assignment completion and grades  606 . 
         [0048]    The teacher may also be prompted to insert comments into the student record  608 . For example, these comments could be addressed to the student or the parent regarding assignment or class performance. Once the comments are inserted  610 , the comment is stored in the student record  612  in the student database  110 . The teacher may also be prompted to send an email  614 , for example to the student or the parent regarding completion of the assignment or class performance. Once the teacher selects to send an email  616 , the email is sent  618  to the chosen recipient. 
         [0049]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which a user purchases equipment of an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system provides access to a website  702  and prompts a user to select equipment to purchase  704 . If the user purchases equipment  706 , then the system will charge the user account  708  and send the purchased equipment to the user  710 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which a user accesses a community chat forum according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the system provides access to a website  802  and prompts a user to log into the user&#39;s account  804  to access the auxiliary information database  116 . For example, the user could be a teacher, a student, a parent, or an administrator. Next, the user is prompted to select to enter a community chat forum  806 . Once the user has selected the community chat forum  808 , the system displays the community chat forum topics  810 , and the user is prompted to select a community chat forum topic  812 . Once the community chat forum topic has been selected  814 , the system displays the discussion for the selected community chat forum topic  816 , and the user is prompted to enter one or more submissions to the selected community chat forum topic  818 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 9  is flow chart illustrating a method by which a student views student information  126  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the system provides access to a website  902 , and prompts a student to log into the student&#39;s account  904  to provide access to the student database  110 . Next, the system prompts the student to select to view fitness progress, assignments, or grades and/or teacher comments  906 . If the student selects to view fitness progress  908 , then the system displays fitness progress information from the student record  910  in the student database  110 . For example, the fitness progress information could include the number of sit-ups done in one minute or resting heart rate. If the student selects to view assignments  912 , then the system displays assignments from the student&#39;s record  914 . If the student selects to view grades and/or teacher comments  916 , the system displays grades and/or teacher comments from the student record  918 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which a student completes an assignment  128  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the system provides access to a website  1002 , and prompts a student to log into the student&#39;s account  1004 . Next, the system prompts the student to select an assignment to complete  1006  from the assignment database  112 . Once the student selects the assignment to complete  1008 , the system displays the assignment  1010 . Next, the system prompts the student to enter answers  1012  to the questions in the assignment. Once the student enters the answers  1014 , the answers are stored in the student record  1016 . Further, once the student indicates that the assignment is complete  1018 , then the system calculates the score and records the score in the student&#39;s record. 
         [0053]      FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating a method by which a parent views student information  130  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the system provides access to a website  1102 , and prompts the parent to log into the student&#39;s account  1104 . Next, the system prompts the parent to select to view fitness progress, assignments, or grades  1106  for that parent&#39;s student. If the parent selects to view fitness progress  1108 , the system displays fitness progress information from the student&#39;s record  1110 . If the parent selects to view assignments  1112 , then the system displays assignments from the student record  1114 . If the parent selects to view grades and/or teacher comments  116 , then the system displays grades and/or teacher comments from the student record  118 . 
         [0054]    In an embodiment of the present invention, students and administrators may also view fitness progress. Fitness progress may include, e.g., charts showing the changes in the student&#39;s weight or resting heart rate over time or changes in the number of push-ups or sits that the student is able to perform over time. 
         [0055]    Although the present invention has been described through the use of exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that various modifications may be made to the described embodiments that fall within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents appended hereto.