Patent Description:
Many systems are available for measuring features of a physical activity such as athletic performance by a professional athlete, or rather by an amateur one.

For example, many gyms and fitness centers are equipped with specialized systems that help track athlete's use of certain machines. The usage data may be automatically generated and downloaded to a central computer system and made available for the athlete's review. One disadvantage of such systems is that their use is confined to use with specialized machines within the walls of the gym or fitness center and very often requires the help of an operator other than the athlete.

Systems like the NIKE+ ™ athletic performance monitoring system (from NIKE, Inc. ) allow an individual athlete to measure and collect data relating to walking or running, without confining the measurement and collection to any specific geographic location - i.e. at any desired location, be the location indoors and or outdoors.

<CIT> describes a digital camera system including an image capture module and a remote-control module. The image capture module includes an image capture system and a first wireless communication system.

<CIT> describes an upper-arm computer pointing apparatus, comprising: at least one orientation measurer, deployable on at least one area of an upper arm of a user, configured to measure orientation of the upper arm, at least one pressure meter, deployable on at least one area of the upper arm, configured to measure pressure applied by muscle of the upper arm, a computer processor, associated with the orientation measurer and pressure meter, configured to derive control data from the measured orientation and pressure, and a data transmitter, associated with the computer processor, configured to transmit the control data to a computing device.

<CIT> discloses a device wherein a real time video image of a person performing a physical activity is provided to the person performing the activity without interfering with their ability to perform the activity or the location where the activity is performed.

<CIT> describes systems and methods for automatic video recording of sporting events involving multiple participants.

<CIT> describes systems and methods wherein the system is substantially stationary during recording but is portable to a venue of recording. For the purpose of recording, the camera turns automatically to optically follow the person, animal, or object that is being recorded.

<CIT> describes systems and methods for recognition of events within motion data, including motion capture data obtained from portable wireless motion capture elements such as visual markers and sensors, radio frequency identification tags and motion sensors within mobile device computer systems, or calculated based on analyzed movement associated with the same user, other user, historical user or group of users.

<CIT> describes a wrist-worn athletic performance monitoring system, including a gesture recognition processor configured to execute gesture recognition processes.

However, not all personal exercise and athletic activities, are limited to walking and running.

For example, personal exercise may include other forms of sport - such as Biking, Swimming, Skiing, and even more extreme sports activities - such as Sky Diving, Ice Climbing, White Water Rafting, Mountaineering, etc..

Currently, in many of those forms of physical activity there is no easy or convenient system for efficiently collecting, compiling, and storing data that accurately and empirically depicts an individual's efforts when exercising.

A system and method for remote controlled physical activity monitoring are provided according to the independent claims. Some optional and/or preferable features are provided in the dependent claims.

The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of preferred embodiments of the method and system of the present invention, several selected steps could be implemented by hardware or by software on any operating system of any firmware or a combination thereof. For example, as hardware, selected steps of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected steps of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In any case, selected steps of the method and system of the invention could be described as being performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions.

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now made to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in order to provide what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. The description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

The present embodiments comprise apparatuses and methods for remote controlled physical activity monitoring.

Currently, in many forms of physical activity there is no easy or convenient way for efficiently collecting, compiling and storing data that accurately and empirically depicts an individual's efforts in real time or in near real time, when exercising, as described in further detail hereinabove.

In particular, that is very often the case, when it comes to certain forms of sports - such as Biking, Swimming, Skiing, and more extreme physical forms of sport - such as Sky Diving, Ice Climbing, White Water Rafting, Mountaineering, etc..

In many of those forms of sport, when exercising, an individual usually cannot operate cameras, stoppers, or other devices, since the individual's hands are busy (say busy holding to an axe during ice climbing, or rowing during rafting).

Consequently, the individual has no way to accurately and empirically collect, compile and store data which depicts the individual's efforts during exercise.

For example, with his hands busy during the physical activity, the individual cannot operate a camera, for taking a picture of the individual exactly when the individual reaches a certain point during ice climbing, or stop a stopwatch, so as to capture the exact time in which the individual reaches an end of a swimming pool.

Thus, it is very difficult for an individual to monitor the individual's own movements while engaging in the physical activity, without the help of any other individual.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for remote controlled physical activity monitoring. The apparatus may include one or more orientation measurers, say Gyroscopic Devices, GPS (Global Positioning System) Receivers, etc., as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Each one of the orientation measurers is wearable on at least one body part of a user, say one on one of the user's feet and one on one of the user's arms, two on a same or different foot, one or more orientation measurers installed on a hat worn by the user, etc., as described in further detail hereinbelow. Each one of the orientation measurers measures orientation of a body part wearing the orientation measurer during a physical activity of the user, such as Swimming, Sky Diving, Ice Climbing, Rafting, etc..

The apparatus may additionally include one or more pressure meters, say one or more FSR (Force Sensing Resistor) sensors, a capacitive-based pressure sensor, etc., or any combination thereof, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Each one of the pressure meters is wearable on at least one body part of a user, say one on one of the user's feet and one on each one of the user's arms, two on a same or different foot, etc..

Each one of the pressure meters measures pressure applied by muscle of the user's body part wearing the pressure meter during the physical activity of the user, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

The apparatus further includes a computer processor in communication with the pressure meters and/or orientation measurers.

The computer processor derives monitoring control data from the measured orientation and/or pressure, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

The apparatus further includes a data transmitter, which transmits the monitoring control data to a physical activity monitoring device, and thereby remotely controls the monitoring of the physical activity of the user by the physical activity monitoring device.

Thus, in a first example, during swimming, in a pool, the user wishes a physical activity monitoring device installed on a wall opposite the pool - say a device with a video camera and a controller - to capture a certain movement that the user is about to make, in real time.

In the example, in order to instruct the camera to capture the movement, the user only has to gently shake his head in a direction predefined by a programmer or operator of the apparatus.

Specifically, in the example, the user's head movement is measured by an orientation measurer installed on a swimming hat worn by the user.

Based on the measured head movement, the computer processor, also installed on the swimming hat, derives monitoring control data which includes an instruction for the video camera to zoom in on the user.

Then, the apparatus's data transmitter transmits the derived monitoring control data to the physical activity monitoring device's controller. The controller receives the monitoring control data, and based on the received monitoring control data, immediately actuates a zooming in and image capturing operation of the camera. Consequently, the camera zooms in on the user and captures the user's image exactly when the user makes that movement.

Optionally the apparatus further includes a dedicated database on which the apparatus stores the image captured by the camera, say with metadata which indicates the time in which the image is captured, as known in the art.

In a second example, a user rafting in a canoe, and wearing a suit in which an apparatus with the above described pressure meters, orientation measurers, computer processor and data transmitter, is embedded, is allowed to control a physical activity monitoring device which includes a video camera carried by a quadcopter.

In the second example, pressure applied by muscle of the user's arm and measured by the pressure meters, and/or changes in orientation of one of the user's legs measured by the orientation measurers, are used by the user to trigger image capturing by the video camera on board the quadcopter.

Further in the second example, GPS data generated by one of the orientation measurers is used to control the quadcopter, so as to have the quadcopter follow the rafting canoe down a river, from above, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Thus, with the present embodiment, an individual may potentially, be able to independently trigger and control an accurate empirical collection, compilation and storage of data which depicts the individual's efforts during exercise, in real time (or in near real time), without the help of another person.

The principles and operation of an apparatus and method according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying description.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a block diagram schematically illustrating a first apparatus for remote controlled physical activity monitoring, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

An exemplary apparatus <NUM>, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, may be worn on a leg <NUM> of a user, say on a leg <NUM> of a user who is about to go biking or swimming.

For example, the apparatus <NUM> may be worn on the leg <NUM>, using a strap or a bracelet that parts of the apparatus <NUM> may be fitted on.

The exemplary apparatus <NUM> includes one or more sensors <NUM> - say pressure meters (such as Force Sensing Resistors), orientation measurers (such as gyroscopic devices), etc., or any combination thereof, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Optionally, the sensors <NUM> include one or more pairs of pressure meters that are arranged on the strap or bracelet, such that when the apparatus <NUM> is worn by the user, each two pressure meters of a pair are deployed on opposite sides of a preferable area of the leg <NUM>.

In one example, a pair of pressure meters is deployed on opposite sides of a muscle of the user's leg <NUM>, say a first pressure meter <NUM> opposite a second pressure meter <NUM>.

Optionally, the two pressure meters serve as control references for each other, as providers of complementary information, etc., as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Similarly, the sensors <NUM> may include one or more pairs of orientation measurers that are arranged on the strap or bracelet, such that when the apparatus <NUM> is worn by the user, each two orientation measurers of a pair are deployed on preferable areas of the leg <NUM>, say on areas positioned over opposite sides of the leg's <NUM> muscle.

In one example, the pair of orientation measurers <NUM> is positioned over opposite sides of the leg's upper muscle, say a first orientation measurer <NUM> opposite a second orientation measurer <NUM>.

Optionally, the two orientation measurers serve as control references for each other, as providers of complementary information, etc., as described in further detail hereinbelow.

The apparatus <NUM> further includes a computer processor <NUM>, connected to the sensors <NUM>, which is configured by programming, to derive monitoring control data from the sensors' <NUM> measurements, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

The computer processor <NUM> may include, but is not limited to: a microprocessor, a microcontroller (typically having a processing unit as well as a fixed amount of RAM, ROM and other peripherals, embedded on a single chip), or any other hardware component (say an integrated circuit) capable of performing calculations based on the measurements.

The apparatus <NUM> further includes a data transmitter <NUM> connected to the computer processor <NUM>.

The data transmitter <NUM> transmits the derived monitoring control data, over a wireless (say Bluetooth®) connection or over a wired connection, to a physical activity monitoring device (not shown).

The physical activity monitoring device may include one or more hardware and/or software components.

The components may include, but are not limited to: a camera - for capturing stills and/or video images of the user, a controller, a microphone - for capturing audio signals (say for allowing the user to vocally comment on events, in real time, during the physical activity), etc., or any combination thereof.

The components may alternatively or additionally include a stopwatch, a timer, a data storage (say a flash memory), a software module for analyzing body movement, a cellular modem (say for forwarding the images and vocal comments, live to a remote computer), etc., or any combination thereof.

Consequently, by moving the leg <NUM> in a way (say a direction, angle, etc.) predefined, say by a programmer of the apparatus <NUM>, the user may control the monitoring of the physical activity of the user, in real time (or in near real time), by the physical activity monitoring device.

Thus, in one example, when swimming in a pool, a user wearing the apparatus <NUM> around one of the user's legs <NUM>, may be allowed to control a physical activity monitoring device in a hands free manner.

In the example, the physical activity monitoring device includes a video camera installed besides the pool, and a controller (say a controller implemented as an electric circuit and/or a microchip, as known in the art).

The controller controls the camera and is in wireless communication with the apparatus' <NUM> data transmitter <NUM>, as described in further detail hereinabove.

In the example, when the user moves the leg in a certain way (say once to the right, and twice to the left), those left and right movements are sensed by the orientation measurers <NUM>, which continuously measure the movements of the leg <NUM> wearing the device <NUM>.

Then, based on the leg's <NUM> movements measured by the orientation measurers <NUM>, and as predefined - say by a programmer of the computer processor <NUM>, the computer processor <NUM> derives monitoring control data. The monitoring control data includes operational data - namely, an instruction for the controller, to initiate a zoom-in and image capture operation of the camera.

Then, the data transmitter <NUM> transmits the derived monitoring control data to the controller.

Upon receipt of the instruction, the controller immediately actuates the video camera to zoom in on the user, and capture an image of the user, in real time (or near real time), exactly when the user makes that movement - say for capturing the user's jump into the pool.

In the example, the controller further includes a stopwatch, and the monitoring control data derived by the computer processor <NUM> based on the measured leg movements, further includes an instruction for the controller to start a time measurement of the user's swimming by the stopwatch.

Subsequently, the user moves the leg in a certain other way (say three times to the left), and those left movements are measured by the orientation measurers <NUM>.

Then, based on the leg's <NUM> left movements measured by the orientation measurers <NUM>, the computer processor <NUM> derives monitoring control data which includes operational data - namely, an instruction for the controller, to immediately stop the stopwatch and record the time thus measured by the stopwatch.

Then, the data transmitter <NUM> transmits the derived monitoring control data to the controller, which stops the stopwatch and records the time thus measured by the stopwatch, say in a flash memory attached to the controller.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a block diagram schematically illustrating a second apparatus for remote controlled physical activity monitoring, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

A second apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is worn on a user's arm <NUM>.

In one example, the second apparatus is embedded in a shirt worn on by a user, such that when the user wears the shirt, the apparatus components <NUM>-<NUM> are deployed on the user's arm <NUM>. The components <NUM>-<NUM> are connected by an electrically circuit <NUM> which is implemented using conductive fibers embedded in the shirt - say using thin metal strands woven into the construction of the shirt's textile.

The apparatus includes one or more sensors, say a pressure meter <NUM> - such as a Force Sensing Resistor (FSR), an orientation measurer <NUM> - such as a gyroscopic device, a GPS Receiver, a Differential GPS Receiver, etc., or any combination thereof, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Optionally, the sensors include one or more pairs of pressure meters <NUM> which are arranged on the shirt, such that when the shirt is worn by the user, each two pressure meters <NUM> of a pair are deployed on opposite sides of a preferable area of the user's arm <NUM>.

In one example, a pair of pressure meters <NUM> is positioned over opposite sides of the arm <NUM>, say on areas positioned over opposite sides of the arm's <NUM> muscle, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Optionally, the two pressure meters <NUM> serve as control references for each other, as providers of complementary information, etc., as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Similarly, the sensors may include one or more pairs of orientation measurers <NUM> that are arranged on the shirt, such that when the shirt is worn by the user, each two orientation measurers <NUM> of a pair are deployed on preferable areas of the arm <NUM>, say on areas positioned over opposite sides of the arm's <NUM> muscle.

Optionally, the two orientation measurers <NUM> serve as control references for each other, as providers of complementary information, etc., as described in further detail hereinbelow.

The apparatus embedded in the shirt, further includes a computer processor <NUM>, connected to the sensors.

The computer processor <NUM> is also embedded in the shirt, and is configured by programming, to derive monitoring control data from the measurements, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

The computer processor <NUM> may include, but is not limited to: a microprocessor, a microcontroller (typically having a processing unit as well as a fixed amount of RAM, ROM and other peripherals, embedded on a single chip), or any other hardware component (say an integrated circuit) capable on performing calculations based on the measurements.

The apparatus further includes a data transmitter <NUM> also embedded in the shirt. The data transmitter <NUM> is connected to the computer processor <NUM>, say by the electrical circuit <NUM> which is implemented using conductive fibers embedded in the shirt.

The data transmitter <NUM> transmits the derived control data, over a wireless (say Bluetooth®) connection or over a wired connection, to a physical activity monitoring device (not shown in <FIG>).

In one example, the physical activity monitoring device includes a vehicle <NUM>, say an aerial vehicle <NUM> such a quadcopter. In the example, the apparatus further includes a controller <NUM> deployed on the vehicle <NUM>, for controlling the movement of the vehicle <NUM> - say as a programmed microchip <NUM> which controls the aerial vehicle's <NUM> rotor engines, wings, etc., as known in the art.

The controller <NUM> maneuvers the vehicle <NUM> based on the monitoring control data wirelessly transmitted to the controller <NUM>, by the data transmitter <NUM>, say over a Radio Frequency (RF) Channel, as known in the art.

In the example, the physical activity monitoring device further includes other components.

The other components may include, but are not limited to: a camera <NUM> - for capturing stills and/or video images of the user, a microphone - for capturing audio signals (say for allowing the user to vocally comment on events, in real time, during the physical activity), etc., or any combination thereof.

The components of the physical activity monitoring device may alternatively or additionally include a stopwatch, a timer, a data storage (say a flash memory), a cellular modem (say for forwarding the images and vocal comments, live to a remote computer), etc., or any combination thereof.

Optionally, the exemplary apparatus further includes one or more software modules such as a module for analyzing the user's body movement. Each one of the software modules may be implemented on the controller <NUM>, on the computer processor <NUM> embedded on the user's shirt, on a remote computer to which the controller <NUM> forwards the images, etc..

Consequently, by moving his arm <NUM> in a specific way (say in a direction, angle, etc.) as predefined, say by a programmer of the apparatus, the user may control the physical activity monitoring device, using instructions transmitted to the controller <NUM>, upon that arm's <NUM> movement.

Thus, in one example, a user rafting in a canoe, and wearing a suit in which an apparatus with the above described pressure meter <NUM>, orientation measurer <NUM>, computer processor <NUM> and data transmitter <NUM>, are embedded, is allowed to control a physical activity monitoring device.

The physical activity monitoring device of the instant example, includes a quadcopter <NUM>, a video camera <NUM>, and a controller <NUM> which controls both the quadcopter <NUM> and the video camera <NUM>, as described in further detail hereinabove.

In the example, pressure applied by the user's arm <NUM> muscle, as measured by the pressure meter <NUM>, changes in the arm's <NUM> orientation, as measured by the orientation measurer <NUM>, or both, are used by the user to control the physical activity monitoring device, even while the user's hands are busy rowing.

Further in the example, GPS data generated by the orientation measurer <NUM> and included in the monitoring control data transmitted to the controller <NUM>, is used by the controller <NUM>, to maneuver the quadcopter <NUM>. The GPS data is used by the controller <NUM>, to maneuver the quadcopter <NUM>, so as to have the quadcopter <NUM> follow the rafting canoe, down a river, from above, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

In the example, throughout the rafting, both of the user's arms are busy rowing the canoe. However, when arriving at a certain segment of the river, the user spontaneously wishes to have the video camera <NUM> take video images, around the canoe.

To that end, the user changes the tension of the muscle of the user's arm <NUM> - say by twice repeating a strengthening and weakening of the user's grip over the canoe's paddle, by changing the angle of the grip, etc..

The muscle tension changes are sensed by the pressure meter <NUM> which continuously measures the pressure applied by the muscle of the arm <NUM>.

Then, based on the changes sensed by the pressure meter <NUM>, the computer processor <NUM> derives monitoring control data which includes operational data - namely, an instruction for the controller <NUM>, to initiate a zoom-in and image capture operation of the video camera <NUM> and to maneuver the quadcopter <NUM> so as to fly in a circle over the user.

In the example, the data transmitter <NUM> transmits the derived monitoring control data to the controller <NUM>.

Upon receipt of the data which includes the instruction, the controller <NUM> immediately actuates the camera <NUM> to zoom in on the user, and controls the quadcopter's <NUM> rotor engines, so as to maneuver the quadcopter <NUM> to fly in a circle over the user.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a block diagram schematically illustrating a third apparatus for remote controlled physical activity monitoring, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

An exemplary apparatus <NUM>, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, may be worn on one or more body parts of a user, as described in further detail hereinabove, and as illustrated, for example, in <FIG>, <FIG>.

The apparatus <NUM> is used by the user, for remote controlling physical activity monitoring of the user by a physical activity monitoring device, as described in further detail hereinabove.

The apparatus <NUM> includes one or more orientation measurers <NUM>, wearable on one or more body parts of the user, say using a strap, bracelet, or shirt, on which the one or more orientation measurers <NUM> are arranged, as described in further detail hereinabove.

Each one of the orientation measurers <NUM> measures an orientation of the user's body part wearing the orientation measurer <NUM>, during a physical activity of the user - say during skiing, rafting, swimming, diving, etc., as described in further detail hereinabove.

Each one of the orientation measurers <NUM> may include, but is not limited to one or more of: a gyroscope, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, a Differential GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, an accelerometer, an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), etc., as known in the art, or any combination thereof.

Optionally, one or more of the orientation measurers <NUM> measures angular orientation of the body part wearing the orientation measurer <NUM>.

For example, the orientation measurer <NUM> may measure an angle of inclination of user's arm or leg, with respect to a preselected surface of reference. The measured angle may also be described as a rotation that would be needed to move the orientation measurer <NUM> from the surface into the orientation measurer's <NUM> angular position on the user's body part, as known in the art.

Optionally, one or more of the orientation measurers <NUM> measures bi-dimensional positional orientation of the orientation measurer <NUM>, and hence of the body part wearing the orientation measurer <NUM>. For example, the orientation measurer <NUM> may measure position of the orientation measurer's <NUM> projection on a preselected surface of reference, as known in the art.

Optionally, one or more of the orientation measurers <NUM> measures tri-dimensional positional orientation of the orientation measurer <NUM>, and hence of the body part wearing the orientation measurer <NUM>. For example, the orientation measurer <NUM> may measure the orientation measurer's <NUM> spatial position, with respect to a pre-defined three dimensional coordinate system, as known in the art.

Optionally, the orientation measurers <NUM> include one or more pairs of orientation measurers <NUM>, arranged on the strap, bracelet, or shirt, such that when the strap, bracelet, or shirt, is worn by the user, each two orientation measurers <NUM> of a pair are deployed on preferable areas of the user's body part wearing the orientation measurers <NUM>.

In one example, the pair of orientation measurers <NUM> is positioned over opposite sides of the muscle of the body part wearing the orientation measurers <NUM>, say a first orientation measurer <NUM> opposite a second orientation measurer <NUM>.

Optionally, the two orientation measurers <NUM> of each pair serve as control references for each other, as providers of complementary information (i.e. measurement), etc., as described in further detail hereinbelow.

The apparatus <NUM> further includes one or more pressure meters <NUM>, wearable on one or more body parts of a user, say using a strap, bracelet, or shirt, on which the one or more pressure meters <NUM> are arranged, as described in further detail hereinabove.

Each one of the pressure meters <NUM> measures pressure applied by muscle of the body part wearing the pressure meter <NUM>.

Each one of the pressure meters <NUM> may include, but is not limited to one or more of: a conductive polymer based pressure sensor such as an FSR (Force Sensing Resistor), a capacitive-based pressure sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, etc., as known in the art, or any combination thereof.

Optionally, the pressure meters <NUM> include one or more pairs of pressure meters <NUM> that are arranged on the strap, bracelet, or shirt, such that when the strap, bracelet, or shirt is worn by the user, each two pressure meters <NUM> of a pair are deployed on preferable areas of the user's body part wearing that pair.

In one example, the pair of pressure meters <NUM> is positioned over opposite sides of the muscle of the body part wearing the pair of pressure meters <NUM>, say a first pressure meter <NUM> opposite a second pressure meter <NUM>.

The two pressure meters <NUM> of each pair may serve as control references for each other, as providers of complementary information (i.e. measurements), etc., as described in further detail hereinbelow.

The apparatus <NUM> further includes a computer processor <NUM>, in communication with the orientation measurers <NUM> and pressure meters <NUM>.

The computer processor <NUM> may include, but is not limited to: a microprocessor, a microcontroller (typically having a processing unit as well as a fixed amount of RAM, ROM and other peripherals, embedded on a single chip), or any other hardware component (say an integrated circuit) capable on performing calculations based on the measured orientation and pressure.

The computer processor <NUM> is configured (say by programming), to derive monitoring control data from the measured orientation and pressure, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Optionally, the computer processor <NUM> compares a measurement of a first one of the orientation measurers <NUM> with a measurement of a second one of the orientation measurers <NUM>, for deriving the monitoring control data.

In one example, the computer processor <NUM> may use measurements of two orientation measurers <NUM> deployed on opposite sides of the body part wearing the orientation measurers <NUM>, as control references of each other (say by verifying that the two measurements do not significantly differ from each other).

In a second example, the computer processor <NUM> may use measurements of two orientation measurers <NUM> deployed on opposite sides of the muscle of the body part wearing the orientation measurers <NUM>, as complementary information, for deriving the control data.

For example, the computer processor <NUM> may use calculations based on measurements by both orientation measurers <NUM> of the pair, for deriving the monitoring control data.

Optionally, the calculations are of a change in angular orientation of a theoretical line which connects the two orientation measurers <NUM>, with respect to a preselected surface of reference.

Similarly, the computer processor <NUM> may compare a measurement of a first one of the pressure meters <NUM> with a measurement of a second one of the pressure meters <NUM>, for deriving the monitoring control data.

In one example, the computer processor <NUM> may use measurements of two pressure meters <NUM> deployed on opposite sides of a muscle of the body part wearing the pressure meters <NUM>, as control references of each other (say by verifying that the two measurements do not significantly differ from each other).

In a second example, the computer processor <NUM> may use measurements of two pressure meters <NUM> deployed on opposite sides of a muscle of the body part wearing the pressure meters <NUM>, as complementary information, for deriving the monitoring control data.

For example, the computer processor <NUM> may use calculations based on measurements by both pressure meters <NUM> of the pair, for deriving the monitoring control data.

The apparatus <NUM> further includes a data transmitter <NUM>, in communication with the computer processor <NUM>.

The data transmitter <NUM> transmits the monitoring control data derived by the computer processor <NUM>, to the physical activity monitoring device.

In one example, the apparatus <NUM> includes a physical activity monitoring (not shown in <FIG>) device. The physical activity monitoring device includes a vehicle, say an aerial vehicle such a quadcopter, as described in further detail hereinabove, and as illustrated in <FIG>.

In the example, the physical activity monitoring device further includes a controller.

Optionally, the controller is implemented as one or more hardware components deployed on the vehicle, on the user's body, or on both - say a programmed microchip installed on the vehicle or as a remote control of the quadcopter, as known in the art.

The controller controls the movement of the vehicle, say by controlling the vehicle's rotor engines, wings, etc., as described in further detail hereinabove.

The controller maneuvers the vehicle based on the monitoring control data transmitted to the controller by the data transmitter <NUM>.

The physical activity monitoring device of the example further includes other components.

The other components may include, but are not limited to: a camera - for capturing stills and/or video images of the user, a microphone - for capturing audio signals (say for allowing the user to vocally comment on events, in real time, during the physical activity), etc., or any combination thereof.

The components of the physical activity monitoring device may alternatively or additionally include a stopwatch, a timer, a data storage, a cellular modem - say for forwarding the images and vocal comments, live to a remote computer, etc., or any combination thereof.

Optionally, the apparatus <NUM> further includes one or more software modules such as a module for analyzing the user's body movement, as known in the art. Each one of the software modules may be implemented on the controller, on the computer processor <NUM>, on a computer in remote communication with the physical activity monitoring device, etc., as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Optionally, the data transmitter <NUM> transmits the monitoring control data to the physical activity monitoring device over a wired connection. For example, the data transmitter <NUM> may include an electric circuit that transmits the monitoring control data over wires. The wires may be connected to one of the physical activity monitoring device's USB (Universal Serial Bus) sockets, to a communications socket of a communications card installed on the physical activity monitoring device, etc., as known in the art.

Optionally, the data transmitter <NUM> transmits the monitoring control data to the physical activity monitoring device over a wireless connection. For example, the data transmitter <NUM> may include an electronic communications circuit that transmits the monitoring control data as radio-frequency (RF) signals, say in the Bluetooth® frequency range (<NUM> - <NUM>).

In a first example, the computer processor <NUM> derives the monitoring control data in a format which is already executable by a component of the physical activity monitoring device, say in a format already executable by a controller of a camera of the physical activity monitoring device, for actuating the camera to zoom in on the user.

In a second example, the computer processor <NUM> derives the monitoring control data in a format which is not ready for execution by the component of the physical activity monitoring device, say in a format which is not executable by the controller of the camera of the physical activity monitoring device.

However, in the second example, the apparatus <NUM> further includes a data converter implemented as a computer program which runs on a computer processor of the physical activity monitoring device. Upon receipt of the monitoring control data, the computer program converts the received monitoring control data into a format executable by the camera's controller.

Stated differently, the computer processor <NUM> translates changes in pressure, orientation (or both), as measured by the pressure meters <NUM>, and orientation measurers <NUM>, respectively, into operational data (say instructions) included in the monitoring control data transmitted to the physical activity monitoring device.

The operational data causes the physical activity monitoring device to carry out operations of monitoring the user, as predefined for the specific measured changes - say to take an image of the user, to start a stopwatch, to maneuver a quadcopter into a position closer to the user, etc., as described in further detail hereinbelow.

In one example, the computer processor <NUM> translates a pressure change measured by one or more of the pressure meters <NUM>, into the operational data included in the monitoring control data, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

In a second example, the computer processor <NUM> translates an angular orientation change measured by one or more of the orientation measurers <NUM>, into the operational data included in the monitoring control data, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

In a third example, the computer processor <NUM> translates a movement in a predefined direction, measured by one or more of the orientation measurers <NUM>, into the operational data included in the monitoring control data, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Consequently, the apparatus <NUM> may help the user to control the physical activity monitoring device, even if during the user's physical activity, the user's hands are busy (say busy holding to an axe during ice climbing, or busy rowing during rafting), as described in further detail hereinabove.

The apparatus <NUM> may also include a power source (not shown), say one or more miniature batteries, as known in the art.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a block diagram schematically illustrating a fourth apparatus for remote controlled physical activity monitoring, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

An exemplary apparatus <NUM>, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, may be worn on one or more body parts of a user, as described in further detail hereinabove, and as illustrated, for example, in <FIG>, <FIG>.

The apparatus <NUM> includes one or more orientation measurers <NUM>, wearable on one or more body parts of a user, say using a strap, bracelet, or shirt, on which the one or more orientation measurers <NUM> are arranged, as described in further detail hereinabove.

For example, the orientation measurer <NUM> may measure an angle of inclination of user's arm or leg, with respect to a preselected surface of reference. The measured angle may also be described as a rotation that would be needed to move the orientation measurer <NUM> from the surface to the angular position of the orientation measurer <NUM> on the user's body part, as known in the art.

Optionally, one or more of the orientation measurers <NUM> measures tri-dimensional positional orientation of the orientation measurer <NUM>, and hence of the body part wearing the orientation measurer <NUM>. For example, the orientation measurer <NUM> may measure the orientation measurer's <NUM> spatial position with respect to a pre-defined three dimensional coordinate system, as known in the art.

The apparatus <NUM> further includes a computer processor <NUM>, in communication with the orientation measurers <NUM>.

The computer processor <NUM> may include, but is not limited to: a microprocessor, a microcontroller (typically having a processing unit as well as a fixed amount of RAM, ROM and other peripherals, embedded on a single chip), or any other hardware component (say an integrated circuit) capable on performing calculations based on the orientation measured by the orientation measurers <NUM>.

The computer processor <NUM> is configured (say by programming), to derive monitoring control data from the measured orientation, say from changes in the measured orientation, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

In a second example, the computer processor <NUM> may use measurements of two orientation measurers <NUM> deployed on opposite sides of a muscle of the body part wearing the orientation measurers <NUM>, as complementary information, for deriving the control data.

The data transmitter <NUM> transmits the control data to the physical activity monitoring device.

The physical activity monitoring device may include one or more hardware and/or software components, as described in further detail hereinabove.

In the example, the physical activity monitoring device further includes a controller, for controlling the movement of the vehicle - say a programmed microchip which controls the aerial vehicle's rotor engines, wings, etc., as described in further detail hereinabove.

The controller maneuvers the vehicle based on the monitoring control data wirelessly transmitted to the controller, by the data transmitter <NUM>.

Optionally, the data transmitter <NUM> transmits the monitoring control data to the physical activity monitoring device over a wired connection. For example, the data transmitter <NUM> may include an electric circuit that transmits the monitoring control data over wires. The wires may be connected to one of the physical activity monitoring device's USB (Universal Serial Bus) sockets, to a communications socket of a communications card installed in the physical activity monitoring device, etc., as known in the art.

Stated differently, the computer processor <NUM> translates changes in orientation, as measured by the orientation measurers <NUM>, into operational data (say instructions) included in the monitoring control data, as described in further detail hereinabove.

In one example, the computer processor <NUM> translates an angular orientation change measured by one or more of the orientation measurers <NUM>, into the operational data included in the monitoring control data, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

In a second example, the computer processor <NUM> translates a movement in a predefined direction, measured by one or more of the orientation measurers <NUM>, into the operational data included in the monitoring control data, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Consequently, the apparatus <NUM> may help the user to control the physical activity monitoring device, even if during the user's physical activity, the user's hands are busy, as described in further detail hereinabove.

The apparatus <NUM> may further include a power source (not shown), say one or more miniature batteries, as known in the art.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which a block diagram schematically illustrating a fifth apparatus for remote controlled physical activity monitoring, which does not fall under the scope of the claimed invention.

An exemplary apparatus <NUM> may be worn on one or more body parts of a user, as described in further detail hereinabove, and as illustrated, for example, in <FIG>, <FIG>.

The apparatus <NUM> includes one or more pressure meters <NUM>, wearable on one or more body parts of a user, say using a strap, bracelet, or shirt, on which the one or more pressure meters <NUM> are arranged, as described in further detail hereinabove.

Each one of the pressure meters <NUM> measures pressure applied by a muscle of the body part wearing the pressure meter <NUM>.

Optionally, the pressure meters <NUM> include one or more pairs of pressure meters <NUM> which are arranged on the strap, bracelet, or shirt, such that when the strap, bracelet, or shirt is worn by the user, each two pressure meters <NUM> of a pair are deployed on preferable areas of the user's body part wearing that pair.

In one example, the pair of pressure meters <NUM> is positioned over opposite sides of a muscle of the body part wearing the pair of pressure meters <NUM>, say a first pressure meter <NUM> opposite a second pressure meter <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> further includes a computer processor <NUM>, in communication with the pressure meters <NUM>.

The computer processor <NUM> may include, but is not limited to: a microprocessor, a microcontroller (typically having a processing unit as well as a fixed amount of RAM, ROM and other peripherals, embedded on a single chip), or any other hardware component (say an integrated circuit) capable on performing calculations based on the measured orientations and pressures.

The computer processor <NUM> is configured (say by programming), to derive monitoring control data from the measured pressure, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

In a first example, the computer processor <NUM> may use measurements of two pressure meters <NUM> deployed on opposite sides of a muscle of the body part wearing the pressure meters <NUM>, as control references of each other (say by verifying that the two measurements do not significantly differ from each other).

In a second example, the computer processor <NUM> may use measurements of two pressure meters <NUM> deployed on opposite sides of the muscle of the body part wearing the pressure meters <NUM>, as complementary information, for deriving the monitoring control data.

In the example the physical activity monitoring device further includes a controller, for controlling the movement of the vehicle - say a programmed microchip which controls the aerial vehicle's rotor engines, wings, etc., as described in further detail hereinabove.

The controller maneuvers the vehicle based on the monitoring control data wirelessly transmitted to the controller, by the data transmitter <NUM>, as described in further detail hereinabove.

In a second example, the computer processor <NUM> derives the monitoring control data in a format which is not ready for execution by the component of the physical activity monitoring device, say in a format which is not executable by the controller of a camera of the physical activity monitoring device.

Stated differently, the computer processor <NUM> translates changes in pressure, as measured by the pressure meters <NUM>, into operational data (say instructions) included in the monitoring control data, as described in further detail hereinabove.

Consequently, the apparatus <NUM> may help the user to control the physical activity monitoring device, even if during the user's physical activity, the user's hands are busy (say busy holding to an axe during ice climbing, or rowing during rafting), as described in further detail hereinabove.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a flowchart illustrating a first method for remote controlled physical activity monitoring, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In a first exemplary method, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, during a physical activity - such as swimming, canoe rafting, skiing, etc., a user may remotely control a monitoring of the user's physical activity, even when the user's hands are busy, as described in further detail hereinabove.

In the exemplary method, the user wears an apparatus, say apparatus <NUM>, on one or more body parts of a user, as described in further detail hereinabove, and as illustrated, for example, in <FIG>, <FIG>.

The apparatus <NUM> is used by the user, for remote controlling a physical activity monitoring of the user by a physical activity monitoring device, as described in further detail hereinabove.

In the method, there are measured <NUM> orientations of one or more body parts of the user, say using the orientation measurers <NUM> of apparatus <NUM>, which are worn by the user during a physical activity of the user - say during skiing, rafting, swimming, etc. as described in further detail hereinabove.

Optionally, in the method, there is measured <NUM> an angular orientation of the body part wearing the orientation measurer <NUM>.

For example, one or more of the orientation measurers <NUM> may measure <NUM> an angle of inclination of user's arm or leg, with respect to a preselected surface of reference. The measured <NUM> angle may also be described as a rotation that would be needed to move the orientation measurer <NUM> from the surface to the angular position of the orientation measurer <NUM> on the user's body part, as known in the art.

Optionally, in the method, there is measured <NUM> a bi-dimensional positional orientation of the orientation measurer <NUM>, and hence of the body part wearing the orientation measurer <NUM>. For example, the orientation measurer <NUM> may measure <NUM> position of a projection of the orientation measurer's <NUM> on a preselected surface of reference, as known in the art.

Optionally, in the method, there is measured <NUM> a tri-dimensional positional orientation of the orientation measurer <NUM>, and hence of the body part wearing the orientation measurer <NUM>. For example, the orientation measurer <NUM> may measure <NUM> the orientation measurer's <NUM> spatial position, with respect to a pre-defined three dimensional coordinate system, as known in the art.

In one example, the pair of orientation measurers <NUM> is positioned over opposite sides of a muscle of the body part wearing the orientation measurers <NUM>, say a first orientation measurer <NUM> opposite a second orientation measurer <NUM>, as described in further detail hereinabove.

Optionally, in the method, the two orientation measurers <NUM> of each pair serve as control references for each other, as providers of complementary information (i.e. measurement), etc., as described in further detail hereinabove.

In the method, there is measured <NUM> pressure applied by muscle of one or more body parts of the user, say using the pressure meters <NUM> of apparatus <NUM>.

In one example, the pair of pressure meters <NUM> is positioned over opposite sides of a muscle of the body part wearing the pair of pressure meters <NUM>, say a first pressure meter <NUM> opposite a second pressure meter <NUM>, as described in further detail hereinabove.

Next, there is derived <NUM> monitoring control data from the measured <NUM> orientation and pressure, say by the computer processor <NUM> of apparatus <NUM>, as described in further detail hereinabove.

Optionally, in the method, there is further compared a measurement <NUM> of a first one of the orientation measurers <NUM> with a measurement <NUM> of a second one of the orientation measurers <NUM>, for deriving <NUM> the monitoring control data.

In one example, there may be used measurements <NUM> of two orientation measurers <NUM> deployed on opposite sides of the body part wearing the orientation measurers <NUM>, as control references of each other (say by verifying that the two measurements <NUM> do not significantly differ from each other), for deriving <NUM> the monitoring control data.

In a second example, there may be used measurements <NUM> of two orientation measurers <NUM> deployed on opposite sides of the body part wearing the orientation measurers <NUM>, as complementary information, for deriving <NUM> the monitoring control data.

For example, the computer processor <NUM> may use calculations based on measurements <NUM> by both orientation measurers <NUM> of the pair, for deriving <NUM> the monitoring control data.

Similarly, there may be compared a measurement <NUM> of a first one of the pressure meters <NUM> with a measurement <NUM> of a second one of the pressure meters <NUM>, for deriving <NUM> the monitoring control data.

In one example, the computer processor <NUM> may use measurements <NUM> of two pressure meters <NUM> deployed on opposite sides of the muscle of the body part wearing the pressure meters <NUM>, as control references of each other (say by verifying that the two measurements <NUM> do not significantly differ from each other), for deriving <NUM> the monitoring control data.

In a second example, the computer processor <NUM> may use measurements <NUM> of two pressure meters <NUM> deployed on opposite sides of a muscle of the body part wearing the pressure meters <NUM>, as complementary information, for deriving <NUM> the monitoring control data.

For example, the computer processor <NUM> may use calculations based on measurements <NUM> by both pressure meters <NUM> of the pair, for deriving <NUM> the monitoring control data.

Then, the monitoring control data is transmitted <NUM> to the physical activity monitoring device, so as to control a monitoring of the user's physical activity, as described in further detail hereinabove.

On the physical activity monitoring device, there are carried out steps of monitoring the user's physical activity, based on the monitoring control data, in real time or near real time.

The steps may include, but are not limited: a step of capturing a stills image of the user with a camera, a step of starting a stopwatch, a step of capturing and recording a vocal comment of the user, a step of moving the physical activity monitoring device into a position closer to the user, etc., as described in further detail hereinabove.

The physical activity monitoring device may include one or more hardware and/or software components, say an aerial vehicle such a quadcopter, a controller which controls the movement of the vehicle - say a remote control or a programmed microchip which controls the aerial vehicle's rotor engines, wings, etc., as described in further detail hereinabove.

The physical activity monitoring device may further include other components. The other components may include, but are not limited to: a camera - for capturing stills and/or video images of the user, a microphone - say for allowing the user to vocally comment on events, in real time, during the physical activity, etc., or any combination thereof.

In one example, the physical activity monitoring device includes an aerial vehicle which carries a camera and a controller. Based on the monitoring control data, the controller control the vehicle's engines, so as to maneuver the aerial vehicle, and operates the camera, as described in further detail hereinabove.

Optionally, the method further includes analyzing the user's body movement based on images captured by the camera, say using a software module implemented on the physical activity monitoring device, on a computer in remote communication with the physical activity monitoring device, etc., as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Optionally, the monitoring control data is transmitted <NUM> to the physical activity monitoring device over a wired connection. For example, the monitoring control data may be transmitted <NUM> over wires, or rather wirelessly, say as radio-frequency (RF) signals in the Bluetooth® frequency range (<NUM> - <NUM>).

In a first example, the monitoring control data are derived <NUM> in a format which is already executable by a component of the physical activity monitoring device, say in a format already executable by the controller of a camera of the physical activity monitoring device, for actuating the camera to zoom in on the user.

In a second example, the monitoring control data are derived <NUM> in a format which is not yet ready for execution by the component of the physical activity monitoring device, say in a format which is not executable by a controller of the camera of the physical activity monitoring device.

However, in the second example, the method further includes a step of conversion by a computer program which runs on a computer processor of the physical activity monitoring device. Upon receipt of the monitoring control data, the computer program converts the received monitoring control data into a format executable by the camera's controller.

Stated differently, with the exemplary method, measured <NUM> changes in pressure, orientation (or both the measured <NUM> pressure and the measured <NUM> orientation) are converted into operational data (say instructions) included in the monitoring control data.

The operational data causes the physical activity monitoring device to carry out operations of monitoring the user, as predefined for the specific measured <NUM> changes - say to take an image of the user, to start a stopwatch, to maneuver a quadcopter into a position closer to the user, etc..

In one example, there is translated a pressure change measured by one or more of the pressure meters <NUM>, into the operational data included in the monitoring control data, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

In a second example, there is translated an angular orientation change measured by one or more of the orientation measurers <NUM>, into the operational data included in the monitoring control data, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

In a third example, there is translated a movement in a predefined direction, measured by one or more of the orientation measurers <NUM>, into the operational data included in the monitoring control data, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Consequently, the user is allowed to control the physical activity monitoring device, even if during the user's physical activity, the user's hands are busy (say busy holding to an axe during ice climbing, or busy rowing during rafting), as described in further detail hereinabove.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a flowchart illustrating a second method for remote controlled physical activity monitoring, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In a second exemplary method, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, during a physical activity - such as swimming, canoe rafting, skiing, etc., a user may remotely control a monitoring of the user's physical activity, even when the user's hands are busy, as described in further detail hereinabove.

In one example, the pair of orientation measurers <NUM> is positioned over opposite sides of the a of the body part wearing the orientation measurers <NUM>, say a first orientation measurer <NUM> opposite a second orientation measurer <NUM>.

Optionally, in the method, the two orientation measurers <NUM> of each pair serve as control references for each other, as providers of complementary information (i.e. measurement), etc., as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Next, there is derived <NUM> monitoring control data from the measured <NUM> orientation, say by the computer processor <NUM> of apparatus <NUM>, as described in further detail hereinabove.

Then, the derived <NUM> monitoring control data is transmitted <NUM> to the physical activity monitoring device, so as to control a monitoring of the user's physical activity, as described in further detail hereinabove.

The physical activity monitoring device may include one or more hardware and/or software components, say an aerial vehicle such a quadcopter, a controller which controls the movement of the vehicle - say a programmed microchip which controls the aerial vehicle's rotor engines, wings, etc., as described in further detail hereinabove.

The physical activity monitoring device of the may further include other components, such as: a camera - for capturing stills and/or video images of the user, a microphone - say for allowing the user to vocally comment on events, in real time, during the physical activity, etc., or any combination thereof.

Optionally, the monitoring control data is transmitted <NUM> to the physical activity monitoring device over a wired connection. For example, the monitoring control data may be transmitted <NUM> over wires, or rather wireles sly, say as radio-frequency (RF) signals in the Bluetooth® frequency range (<NUM> - <NUM>).

In a first example, the monitoring control data are derived <NUM> in a format which is already executable by a component of the physical activity monitoring device, say in a format already executable by a controller of a camera of the physical activity monitoring device, for actuating the camera to zoom in on the user.

In a second example, the monitoring control data are derived <NUM> in a format which is not yet ready for execution by the component of the physical activity monitoring device, say in a format which is not executable by the controller of the camera of the physical activity monitoring device.

Stated differently, with the exemplary method, measured <NUM> changes in the orientation are converted into operational data (say instructions) included in the monitoring control data.

In one example, there is translated an angular orientation change measured <NUM> by one or more of the orientation measurers <NUM>, into the operational data included in the monitoring control data, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

In a second example, there is translated a movement in a predefined direction, measured <NUM> by one or more of the orientation measurers <NUM>, into the operational data included in the monitoring control data, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Consequently, the user is allowed to control the physical activity monitoring device, even if during the user's physical activity, the user's hands are busy (say busy holding to an axe during ice climbing, busy rowing during rafting, etc.), as described in further detail hereinabove.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a flowchart illustrating a third method for remote controlled physical activity monitoring that does not fall under the scope of the claimed invention.

In this method, during a physical activity - such as swimming, canoe rafting, skiing, etc., a user may remotely control a monitoring of the user's physical activity, even when the user's hands are busy, as described in further detail hereinabove.

In the exemplary method, the user wears an apparatus, say apparatus <NUM>, on one or more body parts of the user, as described in further detail hereinabove, and as illustrated, for example, in <FIG>, <FIG>.

Next, there is derived <NUM> monitoring control data from the measured <NUM> pressure, say by the computer processor <NUM> of apparatus <NUM>, as described in further detail hereinabove.

Optionally, there may be compared a measurement <NUM> of a first one of the pressure meters <NUM> with a measurement <NUM> of a second one of the pressure meters <NUM>, for deriving <NUM> the monitoring control data.

In one example, the computer processor <NUM> may use measurements <NUM> of two pressure meters <NUM> deployed on opposite sides of the muscle of the body part wearing the pressure meters <NUM>, as control references of each other, for deriving <NUM> the monitoring control data. For example, the computer processor <NUM> may verify that the two measurements <NUM> do not significantly differ from each other.

In a second example, the computer processor <NUM> may use measurements <NUM> of two pressure meters <NUM> deployed on opposite sides of the muscle of the body part wearing the pressure meters <NUM>, as complementary information, for deriving <NUM> the monitoring control data.

The physical activity monitoring device of the example further may further include other components. The other components may include, but are not limited to: a camera - for capturing stills and/or video images of the user, a microphone - say for allowing the user to vocally comment on events, in real time, during the physical activity, etc., or any combination thereof.

Stated differently, with the exemplary method, the measured <NUM> changes in the pressure are converted into operational data (say instructions) included in the monitoring control data.

In one example, there is translated a pressure change measured <NUM> by one or more of the pressure meters <NUM>, into the operational data included in the monitoring control data, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Claim 1:
A system for remote controlled physical activity monitoring, the system comprising:
a physical activity monitoring device comprising a controller (<NUM>), the physical activity monitoring device configured to monitor a physical activity of a user of the physical activity monitoring device; and
an apparatus (<NUM>) wearable on at least one body part of the user of the physical activity monitoring device, the apparatus comprising:
at least one orientation measurer (<NUM>), wearable on the at least one body part of the user, the at least one orientation measurer (<NUM>) configured to measure orientation of a body part wearing the orientation measurer (<NUM>) during a physical activity of the user;
a computer processor (<NUM>), associated with the orientation measurer (<NUM>), configured to derive monitoring control data from the measured orientation, the monitoring control data including an instruction to the controller (<NUM>) of the physical activity monitoring device; and
a data transmitter (<NUM>), associated with the computer processor (<NUM>), wherein:
the data transmitter (<NUM>) is configured to transmit the derived monitoring control data to the physical activity monitoring device; and
the controller (<NUM>) of the physical activity monitoring device is configured to control an operation of the physical activity monitoring device based on the monitoring control data, and thereby allowing the user to remotely control the monitoring of the physical activity of the user by the physical activity monitoring device.