Professional workout simulator

The systems and methods described herein are directed towards collecting workout-based information from professional athletes and providing the collected workout-based information to users. The workout-based information of the professional athletes are collected through the use of wearable devices and stored in a workout-based information network. The users (e.g., fans, other professional athletes) may subsequently download workout-based data of one or more professional athletes onto their user device. The workout-based data may be used by the users to compare their own personal progress with the professional athletes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention generally relates to wearable devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to providing users with workout-based information from one or more professional athletes for comparison.

2. Description of the Related Art

Wearable technology may include any type of mobile electronic device that can be worn on the body, attached to or embedded in clothes and accessories of an individual and currently exist in the consumer marketplace. Processors and sensors associated with the wearable technology can display, process or gather information. Such wearable technology has been used in a variety of areas, including monitoring health data of the user as well as other types of data and statistics. These types of devices may be readily available to the public and may be easily purchased by consumers. Examples of some wearable technology in the health arena include Fit Bit, Nike Fuel Band, and the Apple Watch.

Professional athletes may utilize wearable technology to track their own personal progress during workouts. Through the use of wearable technology, professional athletes can monitor health-based data including number of calories burned, steps taken, and pulse/heart rate. The use of this information for each athlete may be beneficial to ensure that each professional athlete undertakes the necessary preparations so that they are prepared for their respective sports.

Presently there is no available way for fans to obtain access to the workout-based data of one or more professional athletes. Users of wearable devices are interested in comparing their own personal workout-based results with one or more pros. In some cases, professional athletes may also be interested in comparing their personal workout-based results with other professional athletes.

SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED INVENTION

A method for comparing workout-based information between a user and one or more professional athletes is claimed. The method first stores workout-based information from one or more professional athletes in a workout-based network. Users can then select one or more of the workout-based information of professional athletes stored in the network to be downloaded. The users download the workout-based information of the selected professional athletes onto their user device. The users also provide their user workout-based information. The user device then evaluates the workout-based information of the user and the user selected professional athletes. The user device finally outputs information comparing the workout-based information of the user and user selected professional athletes onto a display that the user can view.

A system for comparing workout-based information between a user and one or more professional athletes is also claimed. The system includes a user interface, a database, and a processor. The database stores workout-based information of one or more professional athletes in a workout-based network. The processor executes instructions stored in memory to select one or more professional athletes having stored workout-based information associated with the workout-based network. The processor can then download the stored workout-based information of the user selected professional athletes and subsequently receive the user workout-based information. Evaluation of the workout-based information of the user and the professional athletes is performed in order to output information comparing the workout-based information of the user and user selected professional athletes. The information can be displayed for the user to view

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems and methods described herein are directed towards collecting workout-based information from professional athletes and providing the collected workout-based information to interested users. The workout-based information of the professional athletes are collected through the use of wearable devices and stored in a workout-based information network. Interested users (e.g., fans, other professional athletes) may subsequently download workout-based data from one or more professional athletes onto their user device. The workout-based data may be used by the interested users to compare their own personal progress with one or more other professional athletes. It should be noted that the workout-based data is updated in real-time, for example, based on when a particular professional athlete most recently undergoes a workout session. The workout-based data may also be cumulative over time.

FIG. 1illustrates a system100for sharing workout-based information of professional athletes with interested users. The system100includes a plurality of interested users105(e.g., fans) and a plurality of professional athletes. The system100also includes databases and networks that are used to facilitate the sharing of workout-based information of professional athletes with interested users. Further details pertaining to the elements of the system100are provided below.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, each of the interested users105has a corresponding user device110(e.g., smartphone). The user devices110include one or more applications or programs compatible with the system100. In particular the user devices110would have an application or program (referenced as the workout compare software inFIG. 1) directed at comparing workout-based information of one or more professional athletes with workout-based information of the user115. As illustrated in the figure, the workout compare software is represented via a black square that can be found within the user device110. The workout-based information of the user, which is referenced by the workout compare software, may be manually inputted into the user device110or obtained through the use of one or more wearable devices115. The workout-based information can then be compared by the workout compare software in each of the user devices110with one or more workout-based information from one or more professional athletes120obtained from the workout pro network.

It should be noted that each of the interested users105may have one or more wearable devices115. The wearable devices115may be used to obtain health-based sensor data corresponding to relevant workout-based information. For example, when the interested user105undergoes a workout session, the wearable device115can be used to obtain health-based sensor data (e.g., biometric parameters). The health-based sensor data can be subsequently processed to evaluate the effects of a particular workout session. The wearable devices115may be capable of measuring a variety of different biometric parameters belonging to a particular interested user105including calories burned and heart-rate/pulse. These wearable devices115may be wearable devices that are readily available to the public (e.g., FitBit).

The system100also includes a plurality of professional athletes120. These professional athletes120may be professional athletes across any sport (e.g., football, basketball, baseball). It should be noted that each professional athlete may participate in different workout sessions, for example, to maintain or improve on a particular aspect of their performance within their respective sport (e.g., endurance, muscle mass, weight loss). The professional athletes120may similarly have user devices125(e.g., smart phones) and wearable devices130(e.g., BodyMedia, Fitbit) as described above with respect to the interested users105.

Workout-based information from each of the professional athletes120may be obtained from their corresponding wearable devices130. The workout-based information can then be transmitted to the user device125associated with the professional athlete120. The user device125of the professional athlete120then connects with the workout pro network135and uploads their respective workout-based information into the network135for storage. The workout pro network135is capable of storing workout-based information of the various professional athletes120in a stats database140. It should be noted that the information provided to the workout pro network135and stored in the stats database140may be updated on a regular basis (e.g., real-time, hourly, daily). For example, once a workout session has been completed, obtained workout-based information from the professional athlete may be provided to the workout pro network135immediately.

Each of the interested users105and professional athletes120are capable of connecting to the workout pro network135to download workout based information. More specifically, the user devices110,125of the interested users105and professional athletes120, respectively are capable of communicating with the workout pro network135via the cloud or internet140. Once connected, for example, the interested user105may download workout-based information for one or more professional athletes onto their user device110. In some embodiments, the interested user105may be capable of selecting workout-based information for a particular professional athlete or for a particular group of professional athletes (e.g., workout-based information for basketball players). The workout-based information downloaded into the user device110can then be used by the workout compare software to evaluate workout-based information of the user105and the professional athlete125.

It may be possible that vendors/manufacturers that are associated with a particular brand of a wearable device115,130may have the ability to control who can access the workout-based information and when others can access the workout-based information. For example, a vendor/manufacturer may provide selected users (e.g., interested users and/or professional athletes) using their brand of wearable devices early access to workout-based information obtained by the same branded wearable devices of professional athletes. The early access may be associated with a period of time before the workout pro network135is capable of updating the stats database140with the recently received workout based information of one or more professional athletes.

FIG. 2illustrates the workout pro network200. As illustrated in the figure, the workout pro network200includes a database205, a communication port210used to communicate with the internet or cloud215, a sign-up process220and a download process225. Further details relating to the different elements of the workout pro network200are provided below.

The database205associated with the workout pro network200is a database that includes information (e.g., personal information) about each professional athlete that uploads their respective workout-based information to the workout pro network205. The information provided from each professional athlete is received by the communication port210. As illustrated in the figure, the database205may include personal information such as their name and what wearable device they are using. Other types of information may also be stored in the database205such as information from their user device (e.g., smart phone) including their location (i.e. GPS) and technology the professional athlete is using (e.g., programs, applications). It may be possible that the professional athlete may provide further information to be stored in the database205as well, for example, their diet. It should be noted that the information stored in the database205of the workout pro network200may also be helpful in evaluating the workout-based data between the professional athlete and, for example, the interested user.

The sign-up process220facilitates users (e.g., interested users and/or professional athletes) with the use of the workout-based information associated with the workout pro network200. Generally, users would need to sign-up using the sign-up process220(e.g., create an account, user profile). The users may be charged a fee (e.g., one-time, monthly-subscription) for use of the workout pro network200. The sign-up process220may facilitate payment from the user. In some embodiments, the sign-up process220can also take as input names of particular professional athletes the user would like to download workout-based information about. The names of the professional athletes may be saved and associated with the user.

After the sign-up process220, the user is allowed to download workout-based information about one or more pros associated with the workout pro network200to their respective user device using the download process225. The download process may be a manual request performed by the user. In some cases, the user may be allowed to automatically request via the user device updated workout-based information regarding one or more professional athletes on a regular basis. In this case, the download process can provide the requested updated workout-based information without any further action from the user.

FIG. 3illustrates the workout compare software300. As noted above, the workout compare software300is found, for example, in the user devices associated with the interested users and/or the professional athletes. The workout compare software300is used to compare workout-based information obtained from a user workout session with workout-based information of one or more professional athletes downloaded from the workout pro network.

As illustrated in the figure, the workout compare software300includes a communication device305. The communication device305is connected to the cloud or Internet310. Through the communication device305, the workout compare software300can obtain workout-based information of one or more professional athletes. The workout-based information of the professional athletes may be stored315in the workout compare software300. The download process, sign-up process and process of selecting one or more professional athletes may also be included in the workout compare software300to facilitate the obtaining of desired workout-based information of the one or more professional athletes from the workout pro network.

The workout compare software300may also store workout-based information related to the user320. This workout-based information of the user may be manually inputted into the user interface. In some embodiments, the workout-based information of the user may also be obtained from a corresponding wearable device325. The wearable device325may be any wearable device capable of obtaining health-based sensor data (e.g., biometric parameters) that can be used to evaluate the effect of a workout session.

The workout compare software300can then compare the stored workout-based information of the user320and one or more professional athletes315via the compare data process330. The compare data process330can process and evaluate the stored workout-based information stored in the workout compare software300between the user and the professional athlete.

The workout compare software300can then output a graphical user interface (GUI)335that displays the comparison between the workout-based information of the user and the professional athlete(s) chosen by the user. The GUI335may include a table which includes workout-based information of the user and the professional athlete(s) including calories, steps taken, pulse and calorie intake. It should be noted that other types of workout-based information may also be displayed in the GUI335.

The GUI335may include additional features such as stats and GPS. The stats feature may provide further information relating to the workout session of the professional athlete. For example, the stats may provide the duration of the workout session. The GPS (global positioning system) feature may also be included with the GUI335. The GPS feature may be provided to indicate information about where the particular professional athlete performed the workout session. The GPS feature, for example, may indicate that the professional athlete worked out at a gym. It should be noted that other features may also be included in the GUI335that can further provide details and context about workout-based information of one or more athletes.

FIG. 4illustrates a flowchart400for the sharing of workout-based information of professional athletes with interested users. More specifically, the flowchart illustrates the steps associated with providing the workout-based information from the professional athletes to the workout pro network that will subsequently be downloaded by the interested users for comparison.

In step410, workout-based information from the various professional athletes are stored in the workout pro network. The workout-based information may be obtained from one or more sensors associated with a wearable device worn by the professional athlete. The sensor data can then be transmitted to the user device associated with the wearable device. The workout-based information may also be manually inputted into the user device of the professional athlete. The workout-based information, once provided to the user device, can transmit the workout-based information to the workout pro network to be stored.

In step420, the user can select one or more professional athletes having stored workout-based information in the workout pro network to be downloaded. In some embodiments, the user can specify a sport or genre of professional athletes (e.g., football players) and the workout pro network can generate one or more professional athletes for the user to choose.

It should be noted that the user, before being allowed to select desired professional athletes, may be required to sign up and obtain authorization to use the workout pro network. In some cases, a fee (e.g., one-time, monthly subscription) may be required.

In step430, the user can download the workout-based information of the one or more selected professional athletes from the workout pro network. The workout-based information associated with the one or more selected professional athletes are stored, for example, in the user device of the user. The workout-based information associated with the one or more selected professional athletes will be used to compare with the user workout-based information.

In step440, the user can provide the workout-based information of the user for the user device to use. The workout-based information can be manually inputted into the user device, for example, through an application, program or GUI. In other embodiments, a wearable device having one or more sensors may obtain sensor data that can be transmitted to the user device and processed into workout-based information. The user workout-based information will be compared with the workout-based information from one or more selected professional athletes.

In step450, the user device (i.e. the workout compare software) processes the workout-based information of the user and the selected one or more professional athletes. The workout compare software can also evaluate health-based data of the user and the professional athletes and determine the relative effects of the workouts for the user and the professional athlete.

In step460, the output of the evaluation performed in step450is displayed for the user to view. The output may be displayed, for example, via a graphical user interface on the user device. The information detailing the comparison between the workout-based information of the user and the selected one or more professional athletes may be displayed via a graph, chart or any other possible way of illustrating a comparison between the various data sets.

It should be noted that the technology can be used in a variety of different events and venues including entertainment or cultural events presented at a theater, gymnasium, stadium or other facility involving a group of people. Such events may also include a variety of sporting events such as football (American and global), baseball, basketball, soccer, ice hockey, lacrosse, rugby, cricket, tennis, track and field, golf, cycling, motor sports such as automobile or motorcycle racing, horse racing, Olympic games, and the like; cultural events such as concerts, music festivals, plays, or the opera, and the like; religious events; and more permanent exhibitions such as museums or historic homes.