Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8112251?dq=5527183
Timestamp: 2016-08-24 01:53:38
Document Index: 195606510

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 2007', 'Application No. 11155502', 'Application No. 11155505', 'Application No. 11155506', 'Application No. 11155507', 'Application No. 11155508', 'Application No. 11155509', 'Application No. 2007', 'Application No. 2009102521962', 'Application No. 05849512', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 05849512', 'Application No. 2009102521962', 'Application No. 2005800472092', 'Application No. 2005800472092']

Patent US8112251 - Multi-sensor monitoring of athletic performance - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsAthletic performance monitoring systems and methods, many of which utilize, in some manner, global positioning satellite (“GPS”) data, provide data and information to athletes and/or to equipment used by athletes during an athletic event. Such systems and methods may provide route information to...http://www.google.com/patents/US8112251?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8112251 - Multi-sensor monitoring of athletic performanceAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS8112251 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 12/552,958Publication dateFeb 7, 2012Priority dateDec 17, 2004Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2593507A1, CA2593507C, CA2717401A1, CN101111743A, CN101111743B, CN101711915A, CN101711915B, CN102198316A, CN102198316B, CN102198317A, CN102198317B, CN102198318A, CN102198318B, CN102198319A, CN102205176A, CN102205176B, CN102225230A, CN102225230B, CN102225231A, CN102225231B, CN102225232A, CN102225232B, CN102225233A, CN102225233B, CN102225234A, CN102225234B, CN102225235A, CN102225235B, CN103083872A, CN103083872B, CN105148461A, EP1825220A2, EP1825220B1, EP2333489A1, EP2333490A1, EP2333490B1, EP2333491A1, EP2333491B1, EP2336726A1, EP2336727A1, EP2336727B1, EP2336728A1, EP2336728B1, EP2357446A2, EP2357446A3, EP2357446B1, EP2357447A2, EP2357447A3, EP2357448A2, EP2357448A3, EP2357449A2, EP2357449A3, EP2357450A2, EP2357450A3, US7254516, US7603255, US8086421, US8777815, US20060136173, US20070287596, US20090319230, US20100210421, US20120078396, US20140228986, US20140228987, US20140330409, US20160121163, WO2006065679A2, WO2006065679A3Publication number12552958, 552958, US 8112251 B2, US 8112251B2, US-B2-8112251, US8112251 B2, US8112251B2InventorsCharles Whipple Case, Jr., Jason P. MartinOriginal AssigneeNike, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (138), Non-Patent Citations (20), Referenced by (35), Classifications (30), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMulti-sensor monitoring of athletic performance
US 8112251 B2Abstract
Athletic performance monitoring systems and methods, many of which utilize, in some manner, global positioning satellite (“GPS”) data, provide data and information to athletes and/or to equipment used by athletes during an athletic event. Such systems and methods may provide route information to athletes and/or their trainers, e.g. for pre-event planning, goal setting, and calibration purposes. Such systems and methods optionally may provide real time information to the athlete while the event takes place, e.g., to assist in reaching the pre-set goals. Additionally, data and information collected by such systems and methods may assist in post-event analysis for athletes and their trainers, e.g., to evaluate past performances and to assist in improving future performances.
an altitude measuring system that obtains data relating to an altitude at an athlete's location along a route used for an athletic performance as the athletic performance is taking place;
a first athletic performance monitor that provides data relating to at least one of a speed or a distance moved by the athlete during the athletic performance;
a second athletic performance monitor that provides data relating to a physiological characteristic of the athlete during the athletic performance;
means for storing data relating to the athletic performance, wherein the means for storing stores at least some data collected during the athletic performance via the altitude measuring system, the first athletic performance monitor, and the second athletic performance monitor; and
means for displaying at least some data collected during the athletic performance via the altitude measuring system, the first athletic performance monitor, and the second athletic performance monitor in a time correlated manner, wherein, after the athletic performance has been completed, the means for displaying simultaneously displays at least some of the data relating to the altitude, at least some of the data relating to the speed or distance moved by the athlete, and at least some of the data relating to the physiological characteristic in the time correlated manner, and wherein the means for displaying displays a representation of the route on a map along with at least some of the data collected during the athletic performance via the altitude measuring system, the first athletic performance monitor, and the second athletic performance monitor.
2. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising:
a user input system that allows the user to select a first location along the route displayed on the means for displaying.
3. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the means for displaying displays data relating to the altitude, data relating to the speed or distance moved by the athlete, and data relating to the physiological characteristic corresponding to the first location in response to user selection of the first location.
4. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the user input system allows the user to position a cursor at a second location on the route displayed by the means for displaying without selecting the second location, wherein the second location is different from the first location.
5. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 4, wherein the means for displaying temporarily displays data relating to the altitude, data relating to the speed or distance moved by the athlete, and data relating to the physiological characteristic corresponding to the second location in response to user positioning of the cursor at the second location.
6. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising:
a user input system that allows the user to position a cursor at a first location on the route displayed by the means for displaying without selecting the first location.
7. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 6, wherein the means for displaying temporarily displays data relating to the altitude, data relating to the speed or distance moved by the athlete, and data relating to the physiological characteristic corresponding to the first location in response to user positioning of the cursor at the first location.
8. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the means for displaying provides a display of an icon automatically movable along the display of the route.
9. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein the means for displaying changes the displayed data relating to the altitude, the displayed data relating to the speed or distance moved by the athlete, and the displayed data relating to the physiological characteristic as the icon moves along the display of the route.
10. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein the means for displaying changes: (a) the displayed data relating to the altitude, (b) the displayed data relating to the speed or distance moved by the athlete, and (c) the displayed data relating to the physiological characteristic, as the icon moves along the display of the route so as to correspond the displayed data to a position of the icon along the route.
11. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the data generated by the first athletic performance monitor includes data generated by a global positioning satellite system.
12. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the first athletic performance monitor includes a global positioning satellite receiver that obtains data relating to a series of time-stamped position points encountered during the athletic performance.
13. An athletic performance monitoring system, comprising:
means for receiving input data relating to an athletic performance, wherein the input data relating to the athletic performance includes data relating to movement of an athlete along a route including data relating to at least one physical characteristic measured during the athletic performance and data relating to at least one physiological characteristic measured during the athletic performance; and
means for displaying information relating to the athletic performance after the athletic performance has been completed, wherein the information displayed correlates at least one physical characteristic of the athletic performance to time, distance, or location along the route used during the athletic performance, wherein the information displayed correlates at least one physiological characteristic of the athletic performance to time, distance, or location along the route used during the athletic performance, wherein the means for displaying simultaneously displays at least some of the data relating to the physical characteristic and at least some of the data relating to the physiological characteristic correlated to time, distance, or location along the route, and wherein the means for displaying displays a representation of the route on a map along with at least some of the data relating to the physical characteristic and at least some of the data relating to the physiological characteristic collected during the athletic performance.
14. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 13, further comprising:
15. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 14, wherein the means for displaying displays data relating to at least one physical characteristic and data relating to at least one physiological characteristic corresponding to the first location in response to user selection of the first location.
16. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 14, wherein the user input system allows the user to position a cursor at a second location on the route displayed by the means for displaying without selecting the second location, wherein the second location is different from the first location.
17. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 16, wherein the means for displaying temporarily displays data relating to at least one physical characteristic and data relating to at least one physiological characteristic corresponding to the second location in response to user positioning of the cursor at the second location.
18. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 13, further comprising:
19. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 18, wherein the means for displaying temporarily displays data relating to at least one physical characteristic and data relating to at least one physiological characteristic corresponding to the first location in response to user positioning of the cursor at the first location.
20. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein the means for displaying provides a display of an icon automatically movable along the display of the route.
21. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 20, wherein the means for displaying changes the displayed data relating to at least one physical characteristic and the displayed data relating to at least one physiological characteristic as the icon moves along the display of the route.
22. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 20, wherein the means for displaying changes: (a) the displayed data relating to at least one physical characteristic and (b) the displayed data relating to at least one physiological characteristic, as the icon moves along the display of the route so as to correspond the displayed data to a position of the icon along the route.
23. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein the data generated by the first athletic performance monitor includes data generated by a global positioning satellite system.
24. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein the first athletic performance monitor includes a global positioning satellite receiver that obtains data relating to a series of time-stamped position points encountered during the athletic performance.
25. An athletic performance monitoring system, comprising:
a global positioning satellite receiver that obtains data relating to a series of time-stamped position points encountered by an athlete during an athletic performance, wherein the athletic performance includes movement of the athlete along a route;
means for determining data relating to at least one of a speed or a distance moved by the athlete along the route during the athletic performance based, at least in part, on the data from the global positioning satellite receiver;
means for determining whether the route used during the athletic performance corresponds to a route used during a previous athletic performance based on data obtained via the global positioning satellite receiver during the athletic performance;
means for comparing the data relating to at least one of the speed or the distance moved by the athlete during the athletic performance with data relating to the speed or the distance moved during the previous athletic performance when the route used during the athletic performance is determined to have corresponded to the route used during the previous athletic performance; and
means for displaying information relating to at least one of the speed or the distance moved by the athlete during the athletic performance and information relating to at least one of the speed or the distance moved during the previous athletic performance, wherein the means for displaying displays the information along with a representation of the route on a map.
26. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 25, further comprising:
means for correlating at least some data collected via the global positioning satellite receiver to the athlete's location along the route used during the athletic performance.
27. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 25, wherein the data relating to the athletic performance and the data relating to the previous athletic performance were generated during athletic performances performed by a single individual.
28. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 25, wherein the data relating to the athletic performance was generated by a first individual and the data relating to the previous athletic performance was generated by a second individual.
29. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 25, wherein the means for displaying simultaneously displays the information relating to at least one of the speed or the distance moved by the athlete during the athletic performance and the information relating to at least one of the speed or the distance moved during the previous athletic performance along with the representation of the route on the map.
30. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 25, wherein the means for displaying provides a display of a first icon automatically movable along the display of the route to represent the athletic performance and a display of a second icon automatically movable along the display of the route to represent the previous athletic performance.
31. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 30, wherein the means for displaying changes: (a) the displayed information relating to at least one of the speed or the distance moved by the athlete during the athletic performance as the first icon moves along the display of the route and (b) the displayed information relating to at least one of the speed or the distance moved during the previous athletic performance as the second icon moves along the display of the route.
32. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 31, wherein the means for displaying simultaneously moves the first icon and the second icon on the display.
33. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 31, wherein the means for displaying moves the first icon and the second icon on the display so as to display a virtual race.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/769,545, filed Jun. 27, 2007 in the names of Charles W. Case, Jr. and Jason P. Martin, entitled “Multi-Sensor Monitoring of Athletic Performance,” now U.S. Pat. No. 7,603,255 issued Oct. 13, 2009, which application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/014,241, filed Dec. 17, 2004 in the names of Charles W. Case, Jr. and Jason P. Martin, entitled “Multi-Sensor Monitoring of Athletic Performance,” now U.S. Pat. No. 7,254,516 issued Aug. 7, 2007. Each of these patents is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
Increasing awareness of health benefits derived from physical exercise and participation in athletic events has spawned an increase in the numbers of individuals engaged in these activities. Many individuals train or work out in clubs or indoor gyms using exercise equipment that include various sensors for measuring physical and/or physiological parameters associated with the user's workout. For example, treadmills, elliptical trainers, stair steppers, stationary bicycles, and the like often provide electronic devices that measure or estimate various physical and/or physiological parameters associated with a workout or training exercise, such as the distance traveled, the elapsed time of the exercise, the altitude climbed, the inclination level, the movement rate (e.g. miles per hour, etc.), the heart rate, the power expended, the calories burned, the rate of calories burned, etc. In some gyms or clubs, data relating to an individual's workout may be transmitted automatically from the exercise equipment directly to a computer system and stored. Athletes, their trainers, and/or their coaches may gain access to this data, e.g. for post-workout analysis, to gauge progress or improvement, to develop future workout routines or plans, etc.
In addition to providing real time information while an athletic performance is taking place, systems 100 and methods according to examples of the invention may provide information both before and/or after the athletic performance takes place. For example, systems 100 and methods according to examples of the invention may operate in conjunction with a personal computer 112, such as a laptop computer, a palmtop computer, a pocket-sized personal computer, a desktop computer, and the like. The personal computer 112 may provide information or data to the various monitoring systems and/or other devices (e.g., devices 102, 104, 106, 108, and 110), and it also may receive data and information from these devices 102, 104, 106, 108, and 110. This transfer of data and information may occur in any desired manner without departing from the invention, including, for example, via cell phone link technology, radio transceiver technology, satellite technology, wired or wireless computer network connections, and/or in any other manner, including in conventional manners known in the art. Additionally and/or alternatively, the stored data may be uploaded to a website either during the athletic performance and/or at a later time, e.g. using cell phone technology, wired or wireless computer network connections, satellite transmissions, or other means.
Before an athletic performance, the personal computer 112 may be used in many different ways and for many different purposes in accordance with examples of the invention. For example, the computer 112 may be used to determine a route to be used by the athlete, e.g. if the athlete is traveling or would like a different route at his/her home location. As another example, computer 112 may be used by the athlete, trainer, or coach, potentially in combination with map or topographical information, to consider overall route information for an athletic event and devise a strategy for that event (e.g. to determine timing goals, benchmark or landmark times, split times, etc.). Route and/or other data or information may be presented to the athlete, trainer, coach, etc., via the computer display screen 114. In at least some instances, the display screen 114 may present the same information as that shown on or presented by the portable/wearable display 110. Optionally, if desired, a single device may perform the functions of both the portable/wearable display 110 and the display screen 114 without departing from the invention.
Data collected by one or more of the various monitors, e.g., 102, 104, 106, and 108, during the course of an athletic performance may be transmitted to the portable display device 110 and/or to the personal computer 112, either during and/or after the performance. As will be described in more detail below, if desired, portable portions of the system 100 may include memory that stores data associated with the athletic performance, and this data later may be downloaded to the personal computer 112 (e.g., after the performance has finished), for more detailed processing and/or analysis, e.g., to assist the athlete, trainers, and/or coaches to evaluate past performances, to compare performances, to assist in improving future performances, to devise training regimes, to devise strategies for an approaching event, etc. As another example, if desired, one or more of the portable components of the system 100 (e.g. a peripheral device 108, such as a cell phone link or other data transmission device) may transmit data to the personal computer 112 while the athletic performance is taking place and/or it may receive data from the computer 112 while the event is taking place (e.g. with updated split or lap times, landmark or other location information, position information relating to other competitors, etc.).
Several examples of systems and methods according to the invention rely on and/or receive input data relating to an athletic performance from a plurality of sensors, e.g. such as from physiological performance monitor(s) 102, physical performance monitor(s) 104, a GPS monitor 106, and/or other peripheral devices 108 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The hardware worn or carried by the athlete and/or his/her equipment during the athletic performance (e.g., during a run, race, etc.) may include one or more modules or pods that contain one or more of the desired sensors. These modules preferably are battery-powered, optionally using rechargeable batteries, and in at least some example systems and methods according to the invention, the modules, pods, and/or sensor(s) may include:
A watch, PDA, MP3, cell phone, or other convenient display device; A Heart Rate Monitor; A “speed pod” for measuring speed and/or distance, e.g. worn on the foot, leg, or other body part; A GPS pod; and Other peripherals, such as a cell phone link, audio player, etc. Notably, any combination of these sensors and other elements may be included in a single housing. For example, a foot pod housing may contain both the GPS and accelerometer sensors, if desired, or alternatively, the GPS sensor may exist in its own pod. As another example, the display device additionally may include a magnetic compass, a pressure sensor, or other elements.
One example of a complementary grouping of sensors that may be included in systems according to the invention relates to the combined use of a GPS monitoring system and an accelerometer-based or other pedometer-based speed and distance monitor. Conventional GPS systems suffer from satellite outages at various times and/or locations, e.g., around trees, tall buildings, indoors, whenever the antenna is blocked, etc. Additionally, there typically is a relative slow “warm start” or “cold start” satellite acquisition time when a GPS system initially is powered on. GPS systems also tend to use substantial electrical power to take a reading. Accelerometer-based or other pedometer-based speed and distance monitoring systems, on the other hand, suffer from inherent system inaccuracy (e.g. due to sensor drift, mounting errors, and/or the fact that typically three orthogonal axes of acceleration are not sensed). Additionally, accelerometer-based or other pedometer-based speed and distance monitoring systems are incapable of providing absolute position and/or altitude information. Typically, accelerometer-based or other pedometer-based speed and distance monitors are calibrated for a particular user and/or mounting position, which increases the difficulty of their use and deters from their accuracy under a wide range of use conditions.
Using an athletic performance monitoring system that combines a GPS monitor and an accelerometer-based or other pedometer-based speed and distance monitor according to at least some examples of this invention provides many potential advantages and avoids or lessens the impact of the disadvantages inherent in each system. For example, the GPS system (and its absolute position detecting capability) may be used to calibrate an accelerometer-based or other pedometer-based speed and distance monitor. Conventionally, users calibrate existing accelerometer-based or other pedometer-based speed and distance monitors by running or walking a known distance, for example, on a level track. Once the known distance has been covered, the user looks at the measured speed and distance monitor distance results and sees what that monitor has determined to have been covered (e.g., the monitor may determine that the user moved 410 meters (e.g., based on step length) when he/she actually ran around a 400 meter track). The user then corrects the speed and distance monitor output by pressing buttons to correct the measured length to match the known length and thereby setting an internal correction factor within the device. This correction scheme is highly prone to errors, for example, because a user's step size typically changes when running, jogging, or walking. In addition, a user's step size may change depending on the conditions of the exercise, e.g. when moving uphill, downhill, into the wind, against the wind, at different altitudes, at changing altitudes, at different speeds, etc.
By using GPS-assisted calibration, calibration of an accelerometer-based or other pedometer-based speed and distance monitor may take place over any distance, and/or at any location (as long as there is GPS satellite coverage available). As noted above, users typically calibrate accelerometer-based or other pedometer-based systems at one outing on a level track. In accordance with at least some examples of the invention, information collected by the GPS satellite monitoring device may be used to generate correction factors and/or calibration data for use by the accelerometer-based or other pedometer-based speed and distance monitor. More specifically, because the GPS system is capable of measuring the absolute distance moved by an athlete as well as the time required and/or altitude changes made over the course of movement, the GPS-generated data may be used to determine correction factors or calibration data usable by an accelerometer-based or other pedometer-based speed and distance monitor. GPS-based calibration or collection of data for calibration or correction purposes according to this example of the invention may be performed at any time, optionally in background during actual use of the athletic performance monitoring system and/or without the user even being aware of it. As another option or alternative, if desired, an athlete could press a button on the portable portion of the monitoring system or otherwise command the system to collect calibration or correction data. The use of GPS data to calibrate and/or generate correction factors for accelerometer-based or other pedometer-based speed and distance monitors simplifies the calibration of these devices (e.g. there is no need to make a special trip to the track and/or to lay out a precisely measured distance to enable calibration) and improves their accuracy.
Additionally or alternatively, in at least some examples of systems and methods according to the invention, GPS-based calibration and/or generation of correction factor data for an accelerometer-based or other pedometer-based speed and distance monitor may be performed under a variety of different use conditions, e.g., calibration data or correction factors may be generated for use at different movement speeds, for use when moving uphill, for use when moving downhill, for use at different wind speeds, for use under different wind directions, for use under any specific type of conditions during which a user's step size may change, etc. Moreover, this variety of correction factors and/or calibration data may be collected, in the background, over time, as the athlete continues using the athletic performance monitoring system. In this manner, a “lookup table” or other “universe” or library of calibration data or correction factors may be built up and stored in the monitoring system (optionally in the portable portion of the system), such that an appropriate correction factor could be generated and applied for a full range of athlete speeds and/or other use conditions. A microprocessor provided with the system (optionally in the portable portion of the system, in the personal computer, etc.) may be programmed to interpolate between and/or extrapolate from known calibration or correction factors to arrive at the most appropriate calibration or correction factor for use at any speed or other use condition(s). Also, in this manner, different calibration or correction factors may be applied at different times during a single athletic performance, e.g. based on the speed or other use conditions determined at a given time during the performance, to further help improve the overall accuracy of the speed and distance monitor. By having a variety of correction or calibration factors available under different performance conditions, the speed and distance monitor output will tend to become more accurate, particularly over time and with increased use, because of the increased number of calibration and correction factors generated with increased use.
Athletic performance monitoring systems and methods according to examples of this invention are not limited to use with running or walking type athletic performances (e.g., performances in which data may be collected using a pedometer). Another example of a complementary grouping of sensors that may be included in a single system or method according to the invention relates to the combined use of a GPS monitoring system with a conventional speedometer, such as one on a bicycle. A conventional speedometer provides accurate speed and distance data, but it does not provide altitude or absolute position information. A GPS system, on the other hand, provides speed, distance, altitude, and absolute position information, but as described above, it occasionally suffers outages due to loss of satellite signal, it consumes substantial battery power, and the like. A combination of these systems may be used to provide speed, distance, altitude, and position data, and the speedometer may be relied upon to provide the athlete with speed and distance information, e.g. when the GPS system is not getting a signal, etc. Additionally, if desired, the GPS system could be used sparingly or periodically, to save battery power, and the speedometer system could be used constantly (or at least more frequently) to provide the athlete with real time speed and distance information. If desired, systems and methods according to some examples of the invention may simply store all GPS data during the performance for later download, analysis, etc.
If desired, systems and methods according to this example combination of the invention also may use the GPS data to provide calibration data and/or correction factors for use of the speedometer, optionally under a variety of different use conditions, e.g. like those described above, under different tire pressure conditions, different tire size conditions, etc.
In conventional GPS systems, when the GPS receiver misses tracking points (e.g., because the receiver is blocked, power outage, etc.), the data collected produces a straight line between the consecutively known GPS sampling points irrespective of the actual direction that the GPS receiver moved during this time period. By combining the data produced by an accelerometer or other pedometer-based speed and distance monitor with data produced via a magnetic compass, systems and methods according to this example of the invention are able to more accurately determine the absolute location of an athlete even when the GPS signal or data is lost for any reason. Using the speed and distance monitor data and the compass data, the system can continue to provide speed, distance, and heading data. Therefore, when/if the GPS receiver loses its signal (or if the signal is not taken at some times, e.g. due to power saving reasons), the athletic performance monitoring system and method according to this example still can use the other sensors' output to determine the changes in the athlete's position to fill in the “holes” and provide actual athlete path data until the GPS signal is regained or otherwise again sampled.
Systems and methods according to examples of the invention that include a GPS monitor may use an automatic route recognition and logging feature. As described above, GPS systems are available to track various position or location waypoints of a GPS receiver along a route moved by an athlete during an athletic performance. After a workout, e.g. when an athlete synchronizes the portable portions of the monitor system's hardware with the personal computer, if necessary, the GPS waypoints from the stored performance(s) are downloaded from the portable device's memory to the personal computer (e.g., if desired, systems and methods according to some examples of the invention may allow more than one route to be saved on the portable device (representing more than one athletic performance) between downloads to the personal computer). Software on the personal computer may attempt to correlate the routes used during the performance(s) (e.g., the position or location point datasets) to previous routes stored on the personal computer, e.g., data representing routes that have already been covered by the athlete (or another), stored on the personal computer, and labeled.
As a more specific example, an athlete may run around a local lake several times a week. The first time the athletic performance monitoring system according to this example of the invention is used on this “lake run,” the collection of GPS tracking points that comprise the run will be stored on the personal computer and may be labeled by the user, e.g., “lake run.” The next time the athlete runs the “lake run” or another run using the performance monitoring system, software on the personal computer will compare the waypoints of that run with waypoints on all the stored routes on the personal computer to determine if there is a match (e.g. it will attempt to find any close matches in the routes). The software then will appropriately label or catalog the most recently run route(s) in the athlete's run log or calendar (optionally after the user confirms that the correct route identification was assigned to the recently run route(s)). The software also will recognize any new routes or routes that fail to match routes in the existing library, and ask the user to enter a name either from the existing route list or as a new route for inclusion on the route list. Such systems and methods allow users to quickly populate a run calendar or log with meaningful run names for the various routes they use.
Fastest “lake runs” over 80 degrees outside temperature Fastest “lake runs” before 9 am Average “lake run” times when the average heart rate was over 150 during the first half Fastest “lake run” when the time to run up “big hill in middle” was less than 10 minutes The availability of GPS data provides additional potential software/data processing capabilities relating to route information for systems and methods according to at least some examples of the invention. For example, based on GPS data and/or other data collected during the performance (e.g., data relating to route distance, altitude, elevation changes (e.g. hilliness), maximum elevation gains or changes, outdoor temperature, humidity, etc.), systems and methods according to at least some examples of the invention may assign a route “difficulty rating” to new routes, e.g., as they are recognized as described above. Optionally, if desired, systems and methods according to examples of the invention may rank the difficulty of new routes, at least in part, based on or taking into account the difficulty (or the data) associated with existing routes in the athlete's log, a predetermined standard, the athlete's physiological data (e.g. heart or pulse rate) associated with this route as compared to other routes, a user's subjective input, and/or any other suitable or desired basis. If desired, systems and methods according to the invention could determine and display one or more “difficulty ratings” for the various routes and/or for specific performances on the routes, and optionally rank the difficulty of each aspect (e.g., on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being most difficult). Example rankings for a particular route might include: flatness=1; length=8; altitude=4; etc.
The stored route data also may be used by athletes, their coaches, and/or trainers in various ways before an athletic performance takes place. For example, systems and methods according to at least some examples of the invention may provide “route playlists” for the athlete prior to beginning a workout or training routine. Such systems and methods further may allow user input regarding a desired workout or difficulty level and then ascertain a route from the stored universe of routes previously input by the athlete (or others). For example, based on user input requesting a specific difficulty level or some other parameter (e.g. input including approximate route length, route location, route elevation changes (hilly, flat, etc.), etc.), systems and methods according to examples of the invention could recommend routes that match or most closely match the user's requested input. As even more specific examples, a user may input data requesting, for example: a low difficulty 7 mile route, a flat 10 mile route, a 5 mile close to downtown, a hilly run in Seattle, etc.).
Additionally, systems and methods according to the invention may be used to compare input data associated with an individual athlete and from this data ascertain the athlete's “preferences.” For example, systems and methods according to examples of the invention may determine that an individual likes to run about 6 miles during the week, that he/she but takes longer runs (e.g., about 10 miles) on weekends. Systems and methods also may determine typical altitude changes associated with an individual athlete's typical workouts (e.g., hilly vs. flat). As still another example, from map or GPS data, systems and methods according to at least some examples may determine other characteristics about the terrain associated with a typical workout (e.g., around water, in a park, through a woods, etc.). From this “preference” data or information, systems and methods according to at least some examples of the invention also may suggest new (or previously used) routes to an athlete, e.g. from a “playlist” or universe of routes at or near the athlete's location. Such information may conveniently be used during travel to locate a route having an athlete's preferred and/or familiar characteristics.
As another example, from input data relating to an individual's past performances, systems and methods according to at least some examples of the invention may automatically make recommendations for routes, other workout programs, or characteristics of a workout program for an individual. For example, systems and methods according to some examples of the invention may note that an individual has had several hard workout days in a row (e.g. based on total miles, heart rate measurements, altitude data, etc.). From that data, an appropriate future workout plan may be suggested by the system (e.g., including routes, desired activities, target times, etc.). Any desired algorithm may be used in determining when a system and/or method according to the invention may be triggered to suggest a new or different route or workout plan. Such systems and methods may be useful as tools to help prevent injury and/or over-training.
Another example aspect of the invention relates to use of systems and methods to provide audio and/or video playback based on location along a route. Such systems and methods may use GPS location coordinates (or other location data) to select an audio and/or video selection based on proximity to a specific location. In at least some examples of such systems and methods, users may program, in advance, specific songs or playlists associated with a specific location. For example, assume an athlete runs a specific route three times a week. The athlete could program an audio and/or video device associated with systems and methods according to the invention (e.g., systems equipped with GPS) to play specific songs and/or video clips from a specific playlist every time he or she gets to a specific location, e.g., every time he or she gets to the north end of the lake, to a specific intersection, in front of a specific building, to the top of a stairway, or the like. As still another example, systems and methods according to at least some examples of the invention may provide historical, tourist, or other interesting information to the user along the route, e.g. depending on the location along the route. Such systems may be particularly interesting and useful to users while traveling.
Any suitable or desired sensor outputs and/or user actions may be relied upon to control or modify audio and/or video output, e.g., to trigger songs or video clips from playlists, without departing from aspects of the invention. For example, systems and methods according to at least some examples of the invention may be programmed to play slow or relaxing songs or video displays under certain conditions, e.g. if the athlete's heart rate or pulse rate exceeds 150 beats per minute, to cue the athlete to relax or reduce speed. As another example, if proximity to the end of a route or race is determined (e.g., using GPS, odometer, or pedometer information), an up-tempo song and/or video clip may be provided to cue the athlete to strive for a finish strong. As still another example, time into the athletic performance may be used to trigger selected audio and/or video output. For example, if an athlete has been running for more than two hours, systems and methods according to aspects of the invention may be programmed to select one or more songs (or other data) for playback from a “motivational” playlist that the athlete selected or purchased in advance (or, optionally, from a playlist maintained by the system or method without user input).
Various other information and feedback may be provided in accordance with examples of the invention. For example, systems and methods in accordance with some examples of the invention may provide audio, visual, beeping, or other information when a physical or physiological condition (such as heart rate) falls above or below a preselected parameter or range. As still another example, safety or other information may be provided, e.g. to advise the user of approaching curves; terrain changes; excessive speed for approaching terrain, slope, or other conditions (e.g., if a biker approaches a curve too quickly); bicycle gearing information (e.g., suggested gears for speed, slope, or other approaching conditions; to meet goals; etc.); and the like. If necessary for sensing a desired parameter, the user's body, the bicycle, or other equipment may be equipped with appropriate sensors to provide the desired physical and/or physiological data.
The physical and/or physiological sensors required to produce the graphs in the display 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 include: (a) a distance, clock, and/or timing sensor; (b) a heart rate monitor (for the heart rate v. distance data); (c) a speed and/or distance measuring device (e.g., accelerometer or pedometer based or GPS based); and (d) a source of altitude information (e.g. GPS based, barometric pressure sensor based, topographic map data based, etc.). As some more specific examples, the system may include only a GPS monitor and a heart rate monitor, or it may include a combination of a heart rate monitor, an accelerometer-based or other pedometer-based speed and distance monitor, and a barometric pressure altitude sensor.
Display 300 further includes a two-dimensional graph region 312 that displays data associated with the athletic performance against distance (or time) during the performance. While any measured parameter or set of parameters may be displayed in region 312, the illustrated example shows altitude displayed as a function of distance along the route. Optionally, systems and methods according to at least some examples of the invention may allow switching between various different and available parameters, e.g. periodically over time, based on a predetermined algorithm, based on user input, based on instantaneous user selection, etc.). The location of the icon 308 in the map display region 302 is marked in the two-dimensional graph region 312 using bar icon 314, although any desired marking (or no marking at all) may be used without departing from the invention. As another example, the horizontal scale 316 of two-dimensional display region 312 may match the scale and location of map region 302 such that the data as you move horizontally across two-dimensional display region 312 matches the X coordinate location in the map region 302 (because the route 304 overlaps in the X coordinate direction (e.g. it is a round trip in this example), the two-dimensional region 312 may provide access to the appropriate data corresponding to each time that the athlete crossed the particular X-coordinate point on the map data without departing from the invention e.g., via different graphs, via different colors, via different display regions 312, etc.).
As another example feature, systems and methods according to at least some examples of the invention allow users to manually place the icon 308 at any position along the route 304, and the system will automatically display data relating to that position, such as: (a) the time along the route 304 (e.g., at clock 306); (b) the distance along the route 304 (e.g., using bar icon 314 and horizontal scale 316); (c) physical and/or physiological data associated with that location (e.g. in regions 310 and/or 312); etc. In such examples, when the cursor or icon 308 is placed at a specific location along the route 304, the various data displays (e.g., the time, distance, physical, and/or physiological data noted above) can quickly “snap” to the corresponding data for that location. As another example, simply moving the mouse cursor or other input device over a portion of the route 304 (e.g., without clicking the mouse button to move the icon 308) may, at least temporarily, cause data for that location to be displayed.
FIG. 4 illustrates another example of processing and/or display of athletic performance data in systems and methods according to at least some examples of the invention. In this example, the screenshot or display 400 provides a graphical representation of the route 402 with at least relative altitude information provided via a three-dimensional topographical display of the route 402, which at least generally shows elevation changes along the route 402. To provide the raw data for building a display like display 400 shown in FIG. 4, the athletic performance monitoring system monitors and/or provides periodic (and frequent) data regarding the athlete's absolute position and altitude versus time (or distance), e.g. via a GPS monitor or other appropriate systems. In at least some examples, a three-dimensional view of the route 402 as shown in display 400 of FIG. 4 may be “built” or determined by a computer system by taking the intersection of the route taken with topographical data corresponding to the location along the route 402 (e.g., from topographical map data, altitude sensors, GPS data, etc.).
Three-dimensional route displays 400, like that illustrated in FIG. 4, are not limited to simply providing general route and topographical data. Rather, additional information relating to the athletic performance may be incorporated into the topographical or three-dimensional route 402. Any of the measured athletic performance data may be included in the display 400 without departing from the invention, such as the measured time, distance, physical, and/or physiological data described above. As one more specific example, the three-dimensional route 402 may be color coded, hatched, or otherwise marked in the display 400 to illustrate the changes in the measured parameters over the route 402 during an athletic performance. FIG. 4 shows four available measured parameters associated with the athletic performance represented by the route 402 on the display 400. Specifically, software radio buttons 404, 406, 408, and 410 are provided to allow the user to switch the displayed color coded data on the route 402 between the various measured parameters available for display (e.g., to switch between altitude, heart rate, speed, and cadence in the illustrated example). By selecting different data sets (by activating one of the radio buttons 404, 406, 408, or 410), the color (or another characteristic) of the route 402 will change to correspond to the measured parameter relating to the athletic performance or other data (if any is available) at that location. For example, if a user were to click the heart rate radio button 406, the top surface of the route 402 will change colors (or other characteristics), based on the key 406 a, to indicate the athlete's measured heart rate at that specific location. For example, the surface of route 402 may be yellow when the athlete's heart rate exceeded 170 beats per minute (“bpm”) during the athletic performance, red when in the 150-170 bpm range, green in the 120-150 bpm range, and blue when below 120 bpm, and these standards may be provided to the user in key 406 a (other keys 404 a, 408 a, and 410 a are provided for the other displayable parameters). User selection of another radio button 404, 408, or 410 will automatically change the route color, where necessary, to correspond to the data for that measured parameter.
Also, as described above in conjunction with FIG. 3, the display region 506 of FIG. 5 may be used to display data associated with the athletic performance at the location of an icon 508 provided along the route 504. The location of the icon 508 along the route 504 may be changed in any desired manner without departing from the invention, and the data displayed, e.g. in display region 506, will correspond to the data measured at or near the location of the icon 508 along the route 504. As examples, in the manner described above in more detail in conjunction with FIG. 3, a user may selectively place the icon 508 at places along the route 504 (e.g., using a mouse or other input device), an “animation” procedure may be used to automatically move the icon 508 along the route 504 (e.g., by activating play button 510), etc.
Of course, any desired data and/or information may be included in the display 500 without departing from the invention. In the illustrated example, the sensors and/or monitors required to produce the display 500 include: a heart rate monitor (for the heart rate v. time, distance, or location data); a position measuring device (e.g., GPS, accelerometer or other pedometer based system); and a source of altitude information (e.g., GPS, barometric pressure sensor, topographic map data, etc). As one more specific example that uses GPS data, upon download of the GPS route points for the athletic performance, the application software may be adapted to further download relevant topographical map data to cover the area of the route 504, optionally with a some additional data (e.g. a half mile surrounding the route 504 perimeter), from any suitable map data source, such as a CD, a hard disk, or the internet (or other network), including from conventional and/or commercial sources. Because the complete athletic performance is bounded by the measured GPS coordinates, systems and methods according to examples of the invention will be able to locate and/or download the relevant map area data.
Of course, if desired, more than two virtual athletes may be provided in an individual display 600 without departing from the invention. Also, any way of providing and/or displaying the time, distance, physical, and/or physiological data to the user may be provided without departing from the invention, including but not limited to the various specific examples discussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 2-5. Furthermore, if desired, the ability to simultaneously display data relating to two or more independent athletic performances may be applied to any of the various systems and methods described above.
Again, the display features and options described above need not be limited solely to post-performance analysis. In at least some example systems and methods according to the invention, a portable device that plays this type of animation (e.g., in real time) during an athletic performance may be useful to the athlete participating in the event. For example, a cyclist may work with a coach or trainer to plan a race strategy (pace, effort level, etc). Such a plan or strategy may be based on a past performance by the athlete (or another) over the same route. To use this information during the event, the cyclist may have a “PDA-type” device mounted on his handlebar, to shows him the terrain ahead, where he should be to meet his plan or goal, to compare him with an “ideal” or “model” performance, to compare with an elite athlete's performance, etc. Such a system and method also may show the athlete the location of one or more competitors, e.g. if the system and method are capable of receiving wireless data (e.g., a cell link, satellite link, etc.). In this manner, the athlete may use this device to monitor and access the overall race and/or his standing with respect to one or more of the other racers. Wireless links with devices of this type also could provide data (e.g., time, distance, location, physical parameters, physiological parameters, etc.) during the event to the athlete's coach or trainer, third parties (e.g., the media), etc.
An additional aspect of this invention relates to determination, use, and display of a “power” parameter associated with running. In cycling and various other forms of exercise, there are devices available capable of measuring the amount of power expended versus time for the athlete. In cycling, this parameter corresponds to or relates to the power that the cyclist expends to overcome bicycle tire rolling resistance, wind resistance, moving mass over altitude, change in inertia for rotating and non-rotating components, and so forth. It is relatively easy to measure this parameter for a cyclist, because there are several convenient ways to tap information regarding the power expended by the cyclist, e.g. at the pedal, in the crank, or with the chain. There is no equivalent “power” measurement parameter for running because of the difficulty in accurately measuring power transferred in the shoe.
Systems and methods according to at least some examples of the invention may use a new derivation or estimate of running “power,” e.g. using speed and altitude change data generated from GPS, pressure sensors, and/or other sensors carried by the athlete during the event (e.g., integrating an accelerometer data, etc.). For example, knowing the above data, and due to the fact that one can closely approximate drag (e.g., from speed, weight, size, wind speed and/or direction (optionally neglecting the wind effects)) and inertia (due to speed change and mass), a running “power” parameter may be determined. This new power parameter may be used as a useful training metric, much the way that heart rate is, as indicating a measure of athletic output during a performance. The running power may be displayed on the wrist or other portable display, on the personal computer pre- or post-exercise, and/or on any other desired device.
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F/K/A Bellsouth Intellectual Property CorporationMethods, systems, and computer program products for providing remote participation in multi-media eventsUS20110196603 *Aug 11, 2011Adidas AgSystems and Methods for Presenting Comparative Athletic Performance InformationUS20120254212 *Oct 4, 2012Strava, Inc.Defining and matching segmentsUS20120254226 *Oct 4, 2012Strava, Inc.Defining and matching segmentsUS20130238235 *Mar 7, 2013Sep 12, 2013Strava, Inc.Gps data repairUS20140207378 *Mar 21, 2014Jul 24, 2014Strava, Inc.Gps data repairWO2014099717A1Dec 16, 2013Jun 26, 2014Nike International Ltd.Electronically controlled bladder assembly* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification702/182, 482/4International ClassificationG06F11/30, G01B21/00Cooperative ClassificationA63B24/0062, A63B2220/72, A63B2220/76, A63B2220/73, A63B2220/75, A63B2220/12, A63B2220/30, A63B2220/18, A63B24/0075, G07F17/323, G01C22/006, A63B2230/08, A63B2230/04, A63B2225/50, A63B2220/836, A63B2024/0025, A63B71/0686, A63B24/0021, A63B24/00, A63B24/0003, A63B2024/0068, A63B2220/20, A63B2220/62European ClassificationG01C22/00P, A63B24/00E, A63B24/00Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJul 22, 2015FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services