U.S. patent application number 12/330127 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for cardiovascular miles.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKE, INC.. Invention is credited to Jason Nims, Christopher A. Robinette, Michael Tchao.
Application Number | 20090149299 12/330127 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40722240 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090149299 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tchao; Michael ; et
al. |
June 11, 2009 |
Cardiovascular Miles
Abstract
A system and method is provided that converts various athletic
performance metrics/types to a standard or common unit of
measurement. For example, in an embodiment, various athletic
performance types are converted to an equivalent miles run. In
another example, various types of athletic activities are converted
to an equivalent number of credits that may be used to acquire
rewards or other items. A conversion factor may be personalized
based on an athlete's attributes such as height, weight, gender,
age and the like.
Inventors: |
Tchao; Michael; (Portland,
OR) ; Robinette; Christopher A.; (Lake Oswego,
OR) ; Nims; Jason; (Portland, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
1100 13th STREET, N.W., SUITE 1200
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-4051
US
|
Assignee: |
NIKE, INC.
Beaverton
OR
|
Family ID: |
40722240 |
Appl. No.: |
12/330127 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61012410 |
Dec 7, 2007 |
|
|
|
61033355 |
Mar 3, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/9 ;
482/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 40/67 20180101;
G16H 20/30 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/9 ;
482/8 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/00 20060101
A63B071/00 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: receiving first athletic performance data
in a first measurement unit from a first athletic device; receiving
second athletic performance data in a second measurement unit from
a second athletic device; and converting each of the first and
second athletic performance data to a third unit.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether
an athletic goal has been achieved based on the first and second
athletic performance data, wherein the athletic goal is specified
in the third unit.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the third unit is different from
the first and second units.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first unit is calories burned
and the third unit is miles run.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein converting the first and second
athletic performance data to a third unit includes: determining a
first conversion factor based on a first type of athletic activity
associated with the first athletic performance data; and applying
the first conversion factor to the first athletic performance
data.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first conversion factor is
determined further based on an attribute of an individual
performing the first type of athletic activity.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the attribute includes a resting
heart rate.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the attribute includes
weight.
9. The method of claim 5, further comprising: determining a second
conversion factor based on a second type of athletic activity
associated with the second athletic performance data; and applying
the second conversion factor to the second athletic performance
data.
10. The method of claim 5, wherein the first type of athletic
activity includes elliptical machine activity.
11. The method of claim 5, wherein the first type of athletic
activity includes biking.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first athletic performance
data corresponds to a first participant of a competition and the
second athletic performance data corresponds to a second
participant of the competition and the method further comprising
comparing the first and second athletic performance data in the
third unit to determine a winner of the competition.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second athletic
performance data are received at an athletic performance monitoring
system from one or more remote athletic devices.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more remote athletic
devices includes a heart rate monitor.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more remote athletic
devices includes a pedometer.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more remote athletic
devices includes an ergometer.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first athletic performance
data is received at the athletic performance monitoring system is
received from the one or more remote athletic devices through an
intermediary athletic device.
18. A method comprising: receiving first athletic performance data
in a first unit; receiving second athletic performance data in a
second unit different from the first unit; and converting each of
the first and second athletic performance data to a third unit
different from the first and second units, wherein the third unit
corresponds to a type of funds useable at an athletic performance
monitoring system to acquire one or more items.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first unit corresponds to
biking activity and wherein the second unit corresponds to miles
biked.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more items include
athletic equipment.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more items include
apparel.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more items include a
virtual item.
23. The method of claim 18, further comprising: determining whether
an athletic goal has been has been achieved based on the first and
second athletic performance data, wherein the athletic goal is
specified in the third unit.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first athletic performance
data corresponds to activity performed by a first user and the
second athletic performance data corresponds to activity performed
by a second user.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the first athletic performance
data corresponds to a first type of athletic activity and the
second athletic performance data corresponds to a second type of
athletic activity different from the first type of athletic
activity.
26. A method comprising: receiving specifications for creating an
athletic challenge, wherein the specifications include a first
required amount of a first athletic activity and a second required
amount of a second athletic activity, wherein the first required
amount and the second required amount are specified in a common
unit and wherein at least one of the first athletic activity and
the second athletic activity is not measured in the common unit;
and creating the athletic challenge.
27. The method of claim 26, further comprising: receiving first
athletic performance data corresponding to the first athletic
activity in a first unit different from the common unit; and
converting the first athletic performance data to the common
unit.
28. The method of claim 27, further comprising: receiving second
athletic performance data corresponding to the second athletic
activity in a second unit different from the common unit; and
converting the second athletic performance data to the common
unit.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein the common unit corresponds to
funds useable to acquire items from an athletic performance
monitoring system.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the specifications are received
at the athletic performance monitoring system.
31. The method of claim 27, wherein the first type of activity
corresponds to elliptical machine activity and the second type of
activity corresponds to rowing machine activity.
32. The method of claim 27, wherein the athletic challenge is a
duathlon.
33. An apparatus comprising: a processor; and memory storing
computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the
apparatus to: receive first athletic performance data in a first
measurement unit from a first athletic device; receive second
athletic performance data in a second measurement unit from a
second athletic device; and convert each of the first and second
athletic performance data to a third unit.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the computer readable
instructions, when executed, further causes the apparatus to:
determine whether an athletic goal has been achieved based on the
first and second athletic performance data, wherein the athletic
goal is specified in the third unit.
35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the third unit is different
from the first and second units.
36. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the first unit is calories
burned and the third unit is miles run.
37. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein converting the first and
second athletic performance data to a third unit includes:
determining a first conversion factor based on a first type of
athletic activity associated with the first athletic performance
data; and applying the first conversion factor to the first
athletic performance data.
38. An apparatus comprising: a processor; and memory storing
computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the
apparatus to: receive specifications for creating an athletic
challenge, wherein the specifications include a first required
amount of a first athletic activity and a second required amount of
a second athletic activity, wherein the first required amount and
the second required amount are specified in a common unit and
wherein at least one of the first athletic activity and the second
athletic activity is not measured in the common unit; and create
the athletic challenge.
39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the computer readable
instructions, when executed, further causes the apparatus to:
receive second athletic performance data corresponding to the
second athletic activity in a second unit different from the common
unit; and convert the second athletic performance data to the
common unit.
40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the common unit corresponds
to funds useable to acquire items from an athletic performance
monitoring system.
41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the specifications are
received at the athletic performance monitoring system.
42. An apparatus comprising: a processor; and memory storing
computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the
apparatus to: receive first athletic performance data in a first
unit; receive second athletic performance data in a second unit
different from the first unit; and convert each of the first and
second athletic performance data to a third unit different from the
first and second units, wherein the third unit corresponds to a
type of funds useable at an athletic performance monitoring system
to acquire one or more items.
43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the first unit corresponds
to weightlifting repetitions and wherein the second unit
corresponds to calories burned.
44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the one or more items
include athletic equipment.
45. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the one or more items
include apparel.
46. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the one or more items
include a virtual item.
47. A method comprising: receiving cardiovascular exercise data in
a first measurement unit from an athletic device; and converting
the athletic performance data from the first measurement unit to a
second measurement unit, wherein the second measurement unit is a
distance run.
48. The method of claim 47, wherein the second measurement unit is
useable to acquire items from an athletic performance monitoring
system.
49. The method of claim 47, wherein the cardiovascular exercise
data includes a number of calories burned and wherein converting
the athletic performance data is performed using a conversion
factor of 100 calories burned=1 mile run.
50. The method of claim 47, wherein the athletic device includes an
elliptical machine.
51. The method of claim 47, wherein the athletic devices includes a
stationary bicycle.
52. The method of claim 47, further comprising generating an
athletic performance monitoring interface displaying a first amount
of athletic activity in the first measurement unit and a second
amount of athletic activity in the second measurement unit.
53. The method of claim 52, wherein the interface is configurable
to display only one of: the first amount of athletic activity in
the first measurement unit and the second amount of athletic
activity in the second measurement unit.
54. The method of claim 52, wherein the first amount of athletic
activity is displayed differently than the second amount of
athletic activity.
55. The method of claim 47, wherein the cardiovascular exercise
data is received from a music playback device via a music service
provider.
56. An apparatus comprising: a processor; and memory storing
computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the
apparatus to: receive cardiovascular exercise data in a first
measurement unit from an athletic device; and convert the athletic
performance data from the first measurement unit to a second
measurement unit, wherein the second measurement unit is a distance
run.
57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the cardiovascular exercise
data includes a number of calories burned and wherein converting
the athletic performance data is performed using a conversion
factor of 100 calories burned=1 mile run.
58. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the athletic device includes
an elliptical machine.
59. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the athletic devices
includes a stationary bicycle.
60. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the computer readable
instructions, when executed, further cause the apparatus to
generate an athletic performance monitoring interface displaying a
first amount of athletic activity in the first measurement unit and
a second amount of athletic activity in the second measurement
unit.
61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the interface is
configurable to display only one of: the first amount of athletic
activity in the first measurement unit and the second amount of
athletic activity in the second measurement unit.
62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the first amount of athletic
activity is displayed differently than the second amount of
athletic activity.
63. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein a credit is provided to a
user associated with the cardiovascular exercise data that
corresponds to the distance run value.
64. The apparatus of claim 63 wherein the credit is displayed in an
athletic performance monitoring interface.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of and
claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Patent Application No.
61/012,410 filed on Dec. 7, 2007 and U.S. Patent Application No.
61/033,355 filed on Mar. 3, 2008, which applications are
incorporated by reference and made a part hereof.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Athletes or otherwise active or fitness-oriented people
often track their athletic performance against personal goals,
benchmarks, or the athletic performance of one or more other
athletes or other active similarly situated people. However, it may
be challenging to compare athletic performance, for example between
two athletes, if their athletic performance differs in the form of
exercise (e.g., if one athlete runs while the other resistance
trains, bikes, rows, or the like). For example, a runner may track
performance based on distance run such as the number of miles run.
Another person may prefer to exercise on a cardio-type machine such
as an elliptical machine. The "distance" covered while exercising
on an elliptical machine, however, does not correspond to the
number of miles run by a runner, e.g. a mile on the elliptical
machine is not the same as a mile run. Thus, while certain athletic
performance monitoring systems provide certain advantageous
features, they nevertheless have certain limitations. The present
invention is provided to address certain problems and provide
features not heretofore available.
SUMMARY
[0003] The summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts
in a simplified form that are further described below in the
Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key
features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor
is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
[0004] According to one aspect of the invention, a system and
method are provided for converting various athletic performance
metrics/types to a standard unit of measurement. In one exemplary
embodiment, certain exercise performed, for example, on
cardio-related machines or weight machines is converted to the
equivalent of a distance run such as the number of miles run.
[0005] According to another aspect of the invention, various
athletic performance metrics/types may be converted to a unit of
measurement useable to acquire rewards or items. In one example,
the unit of measurement may be activity credits that may be used as
currency in an athletic monitoring system to acquire various items.
Such items may include apparel, personal devices (e.g., music
players), gift cards and the like.
[0006] According to another aspect, challenges, goals and
competitions may be created based on a common unit regardless of
the unit(s) in which an activity associated with the challenge,
goal or competition is typically measured. When athletic
performance data is received, the data may be converted to the
common unit using a conversion factor. Thus, different devices or
activities may be used to achieve the goal, challenge or
competition. For example, a competition may be specified in miles
run. If a participant chooses to lift weights for the competition,
the number of repetitions may be converted to a number of miles run
to determine whether the participant finished the competition.
[0007] According to yet another aspect, a conversion factor used to
convert a first unit of athletic activity to a second unit may be
determined based on the type of activity performed. Additionally or
alternatively, the conversion factor may be personalized based on
attributes of an individual. For example, weight, height, gender
and age may contribute to a number of calories burned or amount of
physical exertion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Certain embodiments are illustrated by way of example and
not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference
numerals indicate similar elements and in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a system of an embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a node of an embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a system in which multiple types of
athletic activities may be tracked using a common unit according to
one or more aspects described herein.
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method for measuring
athletic activity in terms of a common unit according to one or
more aspects described herein.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a user interface that may
be provided as part of athletic equipment according to various
implementations of the invention;
[0014] FIGS. 6-9 illustrate example user devices that may be used
to interface with athletic equipment and to store and transmit
various data according to one or more aspects described herein.
[0015] FIG. 10 illustrates an example computing device to which
user devices may be connected and through which data stored on the
devices may be accessed according to one or more aspects described
herein.
[0016] FIG. 11 illustrates an example user interface that may
prompt a user to send workout data to one or more sites from a
music device according to one or more aspects described herein.
[0017] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate example interfaces configured to
track athletic activity of a user in terms of a specified
measurement unit according to one or more aspects described
herein.
[0018] FIG. 14 illustrates an example interface tracking daily
athletic activity in which activity measured/recorded in a first
unit is shown in a first manner and activity measured/recorded in a
second unit is shown in a second manner according to one or more
aspects described herein.
[0019] FIG. 15 illustrates an example interface in which further
details of a daily amount of activity is displayed according to one
or more aspects described herein.
[0020] FIG. 16 illustrates an example interface through which a
user may select a display configuration according to one or more
aspects described herein.
[0021] FIG. 17 illustrates an example interface that displays only
activity recorded/measured in a cardiovascular mile unit according
to one or more aspects described herein.
[0022] FIG. 18 illustrates an example interface displaying only
activity recorded/measured in actual miles run according to one or
more aspects described herein.
[0023] FIG. 19 illustrates an example interface that allows a user
to choose different workouts for which to view workout data
according to one or more aspects described herein.
[0024] FIG. 20 illustrates an example goal tracker interface that
tracks a user's progress in reaching a goal taking into account
both actual miles run and cardiovascular miles according to one or
more aspects described herein.
[0025] FIG. 21 illustrates an example interface that provides a
challenges menu according to one or more aspects described
herein.
[0026] FIG. 22 illustrates an example interface showing the
progress of multiple teams of competitors in a challenge in terms
of multiple units according to one or more aspects described
herein.
[0027] FIG. 23 illustrates an example interface that allows a user
to select other challenges to view according to one or more aspects
described herein.
[0028] FIG. 24 illustrates an example interface displaying the
progress of multiple participants in a challenge, wherein the
progress is shown in multiple units according to one or more
aspects described herein.
[0029] FIG. 25 illustrates an example interface for selecting a
training workout according to one or more aspects described
herein.
[0030] FIG. 26 illustrates an example interface through which a
user may select various training programs according to one or more
aspects described herein.
[0031] FIG. 27 illustrates an example interface for tracking
progress in a duathlon according to one or more aspects described
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Embodiments of a method and system to track and compare
athletic performance will be described. Reference will now be made
in detail to a description of these embodiments as illustrated in
the drawings. While the embodiments will be described in connection
with these drawings, there is no intent to limit them to drawings
disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all
alternatives, modifications, and equivalents within the spirit and
scope of the described embodiments as described herein.
[0033] Simply stated, an embodiment is a method and system for
converting various athletic performance metrics/types to a standard
unit of measurement. For example, in an embodiment, various
athletic performance types may be converted to equivalent miles
run. In that manner, a runner may compare their athletic
performance as measured in miles run to a resistance trainer whose
athletic performance (e.g., pounds lifted or the like) has been
converted to equivalent miles run. Accordingly, myriad athletic
performance metrics (and the athletes associated therewith) may be
compared with each other or against goals or benchmarks by
converting each athletic performance metric to a common unit.
[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system 100. In an
embodiment, system 100 is a system to track and compare athletic
performance. In various embodiments, the system 100 may comprise
multiple nodes. A node generally may comprise any physical or
logical entity for communicating information in the system 100 and
may be implemented as hardware, software, or any combination
thereof, as desired for a given set of design parameters or
performance constraints. Although FIG. 1 may show a limited number
of nodes by way of example, it can be appreciated that more or less
nodes may be employed for a given implementation.
[0035] In various embodiments, a node may comprise, or be
implemented as, a computer system, a computer sub-system, a
computer, an appliance, a workstation, a terminal, a server, a
personal computer (PC), a laptop, an ultra-laptop, a handheld
computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a set top box (STB),
a telephone, a mobile telephone, a cellular telephone, a handset, a
wireless access point, a base station (BS), a subscriber station
(SS), a mobile subscriber center (MSC), a radio network controller
(RNC), a microprocessor, an integrated circuit such as an
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable
logic device (PLD), a processor such as general purpose processor,
a digital signal processor (DSP) and/or a network processor, an
interface, an input/output (I/O) device (e.g., keyboard, mouse,
display, printer), a router, a hub, a gateway, a bridge, a switch,
a circuit, a logic gate, a register, a semiconductor device, a
chip, a transistor, or any other device, machine, tool, equipment,
component, or combination thereof. The embodiments are not limited
in this context.
[0036] In various embodiments, a node may comprise, or be
implemented as, software, a software module, an application, a
program, a subroutine, an instruction set, computing code, words,
values, symbols or combination thereof A node may be implemented
according to a predefined computer language, manner or syntax, for
instructing a processor to perform a certain function. Examples of
a computer language may include C, C++, Java, BASIC, Perl, Matlab,
Pascal, Visual BASIC, assembly language, machine code, micro-code
for a network processor, and so forth. The embodiments are not
limited in this context.
[0037] The nodes of the system 100 may be arranged to communicate
one or more types of information, such as media information and
control information. Media information generally may refer to any
data representing content meant for a user, such as image
information, video information, graphical information, audio
information, voice information, textual information, numerical
information, alphanumeric symbols, character symbols, and so forth.
Control information generally may refer to any data representing
commands, instructions or control words meant for an automated
system. For example, control information may be used to route media
information through a system, or instruct a node to process the
media information in a certain manner. The media and control
information may be communicated from and to a number of different
devices or networks.
[0038] The system 100 may include one or more nodes (e.g., nodes
110-130) arranged to communicate information over one or more wired
and/or wireless communications media. Examples of wired
communications media may include a wire, cable, printed circuit
board (PCB), backplane, switch fabric, semiconductor material,
twisted-pair wire, co-axial cable, fiber optics, and so forth. An
example of a wireless communication media may include portions of a
wireless spectrum, such as the radio-frequency (RF) spectrum. In
such implementations, the nodes of the system 100 may include
components and interfaces suitable for communicating information
signals over the designated wireless spectrum, such as one or more
transmitters, receivers, transceivers, amplifiers, filters, control
logic, antennas and so forth.
[0039] The communications media may be connected to a node using an
input/output (I/O) adapter. The I/O adapter may be arranged to
operate with any suitable technique for controlling information
signals between nodes using a desired set of communications
protocols, services or operating procedures. The I/O adapter may
also include the appropriate physical connectors to connect the I/O
adapter with a corresponding communications medium. Examples of an
I/O adapter may include a network interface, a network interface
card (NIC), a line card, a disc controller, video controller, audio
controller, and so forth.
[0040] In various embodiments, the communications system 100 may
comprise or form part of a network, such as a WiMAX network, a
broadband wireless access (BWA) network, a WLAN, a WMAN, a wireless
wide area network (WWAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN),
a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Wide-band CDMA
(WCDMA) network, a Time Division Synchronous CDMA (TD-SCDMA)
network, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) network, an
Extended-TDMA (E-TDMA) network, a Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM) network, an Orthogonal Frequency Division
Multiplexing (OFDM) network, an Orthogonal Frequency Division
Multiple Access (OFDMA) network, a North American Digital Cellular
(NADC) network, a Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) network,
a third generation (3G) network, a fourth generation (4G) network,
a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a
metropolitan area network (MAN), the Internet, the World Wide Web,
a cellular network, a radio network, a satellite network, and/or
any other communications network configured to carry data. The
embodiments are not limited in this context.
[0041] In an embodiment, system 100 may include node 130. Node 130
may comprise, for example, a mobile device or a fixed device having
wireless capabilities. A mobile device may comprise a generalized
equipment set providing connectivity to other wireless devices,
such as other mobile devices or fixed devices. Examples for node
130 may include a computer, server, workstation, notebook computer,
handheld computer, telephone, cellular telephone, personal digital
assistant (PDA), combination cellular telephone and PDA, and so
forth.
[0042] Nodes 110-130 may have one or more wireless transceivers and
wireless antennas. In one embodiment, for example, nodes 110-130
may each have multiple transceivers and multiple antennas to
communicate information signals over wireless shared media 160. For
example, a channel 162, link, or connection may be formed using one
or more frequency bands of wireless shared medium 160 for
transmitting and receiving packets 164. The embodiments are not
limited in this context.
[0043] FIG. 2 more specifically illustrates node 110 of the
communications system 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the node may
comprise multiple elements such as component 140, module 150,
processor 210, memory 260, switch 220, transmitter 230, receiver
240, and antenna 250 to communicate packets 164 over wireless
shared media 160. Transmitter 230 and receiver 240 may also be
collectively referred to as a transceiver. Some elements may be
implemented using, for example, one or more circuits, components,
registers, processors, software subroutines, or any combination
thereof. Although FIG. 2 shows a limited number of elements, it can
be appreciated that additional or fewer elements may be used in
node 110 as desired for a given implementation. The embodiments are
not limited in this context.
[0044] As noted, in an embodiment, node 110 may include a processor
210. Processor 210 may be connected to switch 220 and/or the
transceiver (i.e., transmitter 230 and receiver 240). Processor 210
may be implemented using any processor or logic device, such as a
complex instruction set computer (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced
instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long
instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a processor implementing a
combination of instruction sets, or other processor device. In an
embodiment, for example, processor 210 may be implemented as a
general purpose processor. Processor 210 may also be implemented as
a dedicated processor, such as a controller, microcontroller,
embedded processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a network
processor, a media processor, an input/output (I/O) processor, a
media access control (MAC) processor, a radio baseband processor, a
field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device
(PLD), and so forth. The embodiments are not limited in this
context.
[0045] In one embodiment, processor 210 may include, or have access
to, memory 260. Memory 260 may comprise any machine-readable media.
Memory 260 may be implemented using any machine-readable or
computer-readable media capable of storing data, including both
volatile and non-volatile memory. For example, memory 260 may
include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), dynamic
RAM (DRAM), Double-Data-Rate DRAM (DDRAM), synchronous DRAM
(SDRAM), static RAM (SRAM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable
programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM
(EEPROM), flash memory, polymer memory such as ferroelectric
polymer memory, ovonic memory, phase change or ferroelectric
memory, silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory,
magnetic or optical cards, or any other type of media suitable for
storing information. It is worthy to note that some portion or all
of memory 260 may be included on the same integrated circuit as
processor 210, or alternatively some portion or all of memory 260
may be disposed on an integrated circuit or other medium, for
example a hard disk drive, that is external to the integrated
circuit of processor 210. The embodiments are not limited in this
context.
[0046] When implemented in a node of system 100, node 110 may be
arranged to communicate information over wired or wireless
communications media between the various nodes, such as nodes 120
and 130. The information may be communicated using in the form of
packets 164 over wireless shared media 160, with each packet 164
comprising media information and/or control information. A packet
164 in this context may refer to any discrete set of information,
including a unit, frame, cell, segment, fragment, and so forth. The
packet may be of any size suitable for a given implementation. The
embodiments are not limited in this context.
[0047] In an embodiment for which system 100 is a system to track
and compare athletic performance, module 150 may include an
athletic performance module. The athletic performance module of an
embodiment may communicate with one or more athletic performance
sensors to collect information representing the athletic
performance of one or more athletes. The athletic performance
module 150 may thereafter convert the athletic performance of the
athletes to a common unit so that the athlete or athletes may be
compared to each other, to personal goals, or to athletic
performance benchmarks. In an embodiment, the common unit may be
miles run. Alternatively or additionally, the common unit such as
miles run may be considered a credit. Thus, the equivalent miles
run value, may be considered a credit, e.g., a certain amount of
cardiovascular exercise (measured in some unit) may be considered
equal to a mile run (i.e. a cardiovascular mile). Credits, as used
herein, may generally refer to a unit used by an athletic
performance monitoring system to track the activity of users. For
example, an athletic monitoring system may include an on-line
interactive site where users may track their athletic performance,
achievements, goals, rewards, challenges, competitions, events and
the like based on the amount of credits accumulated. Thus, the
credits can be used to compare athletic performance among running
activity and other cardiovascular training. The credits may also be
used to compare such activities among a plurality of users.
Credits, in one or more embodiments, may be used in such an
athletic monitoring system to purchase or otherwise acquire rewards
or unlock special features. Such rewards may include various
wearable and non-wearable items including t-shirts, sweatshirts,
wristbands, hats, headbands, shoes, music players, gift cards and
the like. Rewards may also include virtual items for virtual
entities such as avatars that represent the athlete in athletic
monitoring system.
[0048] To track athletic performance, an active person or athlete
may wear one or more athletic performance sensors. For example, an
active person or athlete may wear a pedometer, accelerometer
including any shoe mounted accelerometer assembly, calorie monitor,
heart rate monitor, GPS device or the like. In an embodiment, the
athletic performance sensor may be included in an article of
clothing, such as a pedometer or accelerometer included in a shoe.
Further, one or more of the athletic performance sensors may
communicate with a digital music player, or other similar device,
or other data transfer type device, to store data representing the
athletic performance of the active person or athlete for
transmission or relay of the data to the athletic performance
module. Alternatively, the athletic performance sensor may
communicate athletic performance data directly or substantially
directly to the athletic performance module. Further still, the
athletic performance sensor may display an indication of the
athletic performance of an active person or athlete, after which
the active person or athlete may manually communicate data
representing their athletic performance to the athletic performance
module.
[0049] The athletic performance sensor of an embodiment may
alternatively or additionally be coupled to an athletic performance
device or machine. For example, one or more athletic performance
sensors may couple to a stair stepping machine, elliptical machine,
treadmill, resistance training (i.e., weight) machine, ergometer,
stationary bicycle, climbing machine, or any other athletic
performance device or machine. The athletic performance sensor my
detect, for example, number of repetitions of a particular weight
lifted, elevation climbed, miles rowed, and the like depending on
the nature of the athletic performance device or machine. In an
embodiment, the athletic performance sensor coupled to the athletic
performance device or machine may further couple to a digital music
player or the like provided by the active person or athlete. The
digital music player or the like may thereafter store data
representing the athletic performance of the active person or
athlete for transmission or relay of the data to the athletic
performance module. Alternatively, the athletic performance sensor
coupled to the athletic performance device or machine may
communicate athletic performance data directly or substantially
directly to the athletic performance module. Further still, the
athletic performance sensor coupled to the athletic performance
device or machine may display an indication of the athletic
performance of an active person or athlete, after which the active
person or athlete may manually communicate data representing their
athletic performance to the athletic performance module.
[0050] The athletic performance module may accordingly receive data
representing the athletic performance of one or more active people
or athletes. The data may represent, however, athletic performance
of differing types. For example, a runner may wear a shoe that
includes an accelerometer or pedometer to track distance run, pace,
average speed, and the like. The accelerometer or pedometer may
further communicate the athletic performance data to a digital
musical device for storage and transmission/relay to the athletic
performance module. A second active person or athlete may be
resistance training (i.e., lifting weights) on any number of
resistance training machines including one or more athletic
performance sensors coupled thereto. The athletic performance
sensor(s) may detect total weight lifted (i.e., weight lifted
multiplied by the number of repetitions), maximum weight lifted,
lifting rate/pace, delay between sets, and the like. Similarly, the
resistance training machines may further communicate the athletic
performance data to a digital musical device for storage and
transmission/relay to the athletic performance module. The athletic
performance module may thereby receive data representing miles run
by the runner and weight lifted by the resistance trainer. As
explained in greater detail below, the system may also include
receiving athletic performance data associated with a second active
person performing cardiovascular exercise wherein the data is from
a cardio-type machine such as an elliptical machine, rowing
machine, stair climber or stationary bicycle.
[0051] In an embodiment, the athletic performance module thereafter
converts the received athletic performance data to a common unit.
In an embodiment, the athletic performance module converts the
received athletic data to a distance run, and more particularly to
miles run (it is understood this unit could also be kilometers
run). In the above example, the runner's data already represents
miles run. However, the resistance trainer's data represents total
weight lifted, maximum weight lifted, lifting rate/pace, delay
between sets, and the like. The athletic performance module may
convert the resistance trainer's data to miles run in a variety of
manners. For example, the athletic performance module may include a
database, look-up table, or the like that stores predetermined
conversion factors between, for example, total weight lifted and
miles run. The database or look-up table may further contemplate
additional metrics such as maximum weight lifted, etc., as
introduced above. Alternatively, the athletic performance module
may apply the data to one or more algorithms to calculate the miles
run equivalent.
[0052] The athletic performance module may further determine the
calorie usage or burn for each athletic performance such as for any
cardiovascular exercise data performed on any of the various
cardiovascular exercise machines described herein. Once the calorie
usage or burn has been determined, a database, look-up table, or
algorithm may convert calorie usage or burn to miles run based on
one or more physical characteristics (e.g., age, weight, gender,
heart rate, and the like) of the athlete. Alternatively, instead of
determining the calorie usage or burn for an athletic performance,
the athletic performance module (in an embodiment via transmission
or relay from a digital music device) may receive the calorie usage
or burn from the athletic performance device or machine for
subsequent conversion to miles run. For example, an ergometer or
rowing machine may track the number of miles rowed by an athlete.
However, it may also track the calorie usage or burn corresponding
to the miles rowed. Instead of converting the miles rowed to miles
run, the athletic performance module may convert calorie usage or
burn to miles run. Accordingly, the operation of the athletic
performance module may be simplified for those athletic performance
devices or machines that already calculate calorie usage or burn.
Though described with reference to one or few athletic performance
metrics, it is to be understood that the athletic performance
module may calculate, determine, or otherwise generate the
equivalent miles run based on any number of athletic performance
metrics.
[0053] Once the athletic performance of one or more active people
and/or athletes has been converted to a common unit, for example
miles run, they may compare their athletic performance with each
other, with personal goals, or against athletic performance
benchmarks. For example, an active person or athlete may establish
a personal goal of running 100 miles, but may wish to achieve the
equivalent of running 100 miles by performing a variety of athletic
activities. Similarly, an athletic benchmark may suggest running 25
miles per week. An active person or athlete may reach the benchmark
by any form of athletic activity. Finally, once their athletic
performance or activities have been converted to a common unit, in
an embodiment miles run, multiple active people and athletes may
participate in competitions, races, or other events. Such
competitions, races, or other events are described generally in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/324,140, entitled "INTERACTIVE
AVATAR FOR SOCIAL NETWORK SERVICES," and filed Nov. 26, 2008, the
content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0054] Using a common unit to track and measure athletic
performance, participation in challenges and competitions may be
open to a variety of different athletic machines or equipment.
Challenges and competitions are generally described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/031,380, entitled "COLLECTION AND DISPLAY
OF ATHLETIC INFORMATION," filed Feb. 14, 2008, the content of which
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In one
example, a user may issue a challenge to other users to accumulate
200 credits or miles run (i.e., the common unit) by a certain date
and time. Because the challenge uses a common unit, participants of
the challenge may choose an activity or piece of equipment that
they prefer. Accordingly, a first participant may weightlift to
reach the 200 credit or miles run goal while a second participant
may use a rowing machine to meet the challenge. An additional
participant may choose to run wherein no conversion is performed
for this participant. Specifically, the activity performed (e.g.,
rowing motion or number of lifts of a barbell) may be converted
into the common unit to determine whether the participants have met
and/or won the challenge. Alternatively, a participant may choose
to engage in multiple types of activity to reach the specified
goal.
[0055] In one embodiment, a challenge may be created for multiple
activities or devices. That is, a challenge creator may specify
that a participant or team of participants must perform multiple
activities. The amount of each activity that must be performed to
complete the challenge may be specified in the common unit so that
challenge data can be more easily compared and evaluated. The
required amount of each activity may be specified as an absolute
amount, a ratio (e.g., 10% of activity 1, 25% of activity 2 and 65%
of activity 3) or the like. In another embodiment, the challenge
may require a number of different activities without specifying the
exact type of activity or equipment that must be performed or used,
respectively. In such instances, common units such as credits or
miles run may be used to facilitate the determination of whether a
challenge was met by a participant or team of participants since
the types of activities performed by participants may be
unpredictable. In yet another embodiment, a challenge may require
an amount of activity at a certain location regardless of equipment
used or activity performed. Thus, a common unit may be used to
determine whether an amount of an activity performed meets the
challenge goals or requirements. FIG. 3 illustrates a system in
which an athlete 301 uses multiple devices 305 to reach a specified
performance goal. In particular, the amount of activity performed
at each of devices 305 may be converted into a common unit such as
miles run and added to a progress tracker 307. Progress tracker 307
may be divided into multiple sections 309 corresponding to an
amount of activity required for each of multiple devices 305. For
example, athletes may be required to perform activity on an
elliptical 305a equal to 200 credits or miles run, activity on a
rowing machine 305b equal to 150 credits or miles run and
weightlifting activity 305c equal to 250 credits or miles run. Each
of sections 309 may be filled according to an amount of progress
made for the corresponding activity.
[0056] As discussed above, the system provides for converting
various athletic performance metrics/types to a standard unit of
measurement. In an exemplary embodiment, the standard unit of
measure is a distance run, and most preferably is miles run. An
athletic performance system may determine an amount of common units
associated with an athlete's activity by converting a measured unit
or attribute (e.g., calories burned) using a conversion factor. In
one exemplary embodiment, the conversion factor is represented by
100 calories burned being equal to 1 mile run, or a 1 mile run
credit. Accordingly, if an athlete burns 400 calories during a
weightlifting session or cardio session on an elliptical machine,
an athletic performance monitoring system may convert the calories
burned to 4 credits or 4 miles run to provide a basis of
comparison. Similarly, if an athlete burns 800 calories on a rowing
machine, the 800 calories may be converted into 8 credits, miles
run or other common unit (i.e., 800 calories burned/100=8 credits
or 8 miles run). It is further understood that an exemplary
conversion factor may have a metric component wherein for every 60
calories burned, 1 kilometer run credit is provided.
[0057] According to an additional or alternative aspect, the
conversion factor may vary based on attributes of the athlete
and/or the activity performed. For example, a heavier athlete may
burn calories more easily than a lighter individual. Accordingly,
the calories burned by the heavier athlete may be converted into a
common unit using a larger conversion factor (e.g., 125 calories
burned=1 mile run rather than 100 calories burned) than the lighter
individual. Alternatively or additionally, the conversion factor
may also vary based on gender, age, device used, activity
performed, heart rate and the like. According to another aspect, a
user may specify his or her conversion factor to make challenges,
goals and/or achievements more difficult or easier. A conversion
factor may be calculated in a variety ways. For example, the
conversion factor may be determined based on the average calories
burned in running a mile for a test group of individuals. Instead
of modifying the conversion factor, the number of calories burned
may be determined based on a case-by-case basis so that the same
conversion factor may be used for all athletes. For example,
height, weight, gender, age or heart rate may be taken into account
when measuring a number of calories burned by an athlete instead of
during the conversion from calories burned to miles run. Heart rate
information may include resting heart rate or an active, in-workout
heart rate. Additionally, data such as average calories burned
during actual runs can also be considered when deciding on a
conversion factor.
[0058] In at least one embodiment, miles run or some other common
unit may be converted to an amount of calories burned using the
conversion factor. Thus, if an athlete has run 5 miles on a
treadmill, the athletic performance monitoring system may convert
the 5 miles to a number of calories burned based on the conversion
factor described herein. Such conversions may be used if the
activities performed by one or more athletes are not measured in
calories burned and an athlete wishes to know an approximate number
of calories burned in his or her performance of a certain activity.
Alternatively or additionally, other conversion factors may be used
to convert other types of measurements. For example, a number of
repetitions of lighting weights may be converted into a number of
calories burned or another common unit using a conversion factor.
Similarly, an amount of time spent doing step aerobics may be
converted into a number of calories burned, activity credits or
miles run using yet another conversion factor.
[0059] FIG. 4 illustrates a method for converting a first unit of
measurement of athletic performance to a second unit of
measurement. In step 400, for example, an athletic performance
monitoring system may determine a type of activity being performed
by the athlete. The types of activity may include a type of
equipment, a general category of activity (e.g., aerobic vs.
anaerobic) and the like. In step 405, the system may obtain
activity data from one or more measurement devices. The measurement
devices may include sensors such as pedometers, accelerometers,
heart rate monitors, distance sensors and the like. In step 410,
the system may determine a conversion factor to use based on the
type of activity performed. For example, if the type of activity
performed corresponds to weightlifting, a conversion factor that
translates a number of repetitions to the common unit may be used
while a conversion factor that translates a number of calories
burned to the common unit may be used for rowing machine activity.
In step 415, the system may determine a number of common units to
award the athlete for the activity performed based on the
conversion factor and the activity data received. Optionally, the
number of common units to award may be adjusted by a modification
factor in step 420. The modification factor may be used to adjust
the number of common units to be awarded based on attributes such
as gender, age, heart rate, weight and the like. Accordingly, the
modification factor may provide for more personalized analyses of a
user's athletic performance. Alternatively, the modification factor
may be combined with the conversion factor such that any necessary
modification is taken into account by the conversion factor.
[0060] FIGS. 5-27 describe an exemplary embodiment of the invention
wherein a user's activity on gym equipment is converted to a common
unit.
[0061] As users or athletes such a runners utilize the systems
and/or embodiments of the present invention to collect information,
a user interface of an embodiment may provide additional features
and functionality for athletes to use and share information
relating to their physical activity. In one example, athletic
information is displayed on a user interface 500 and/or user
interface 1200 as described in greater detail below.
[0062] For example, a user or athlete may wish to perform their
walking, jogging, running, or other athletic activity with the help
of an athletic performance device or machine (i.e., athletic
equipment). For example, the user or athlete may wish to use a
stair stepping machine, elliptical machine, treadmill, resistance
training (i.e., weight) machine, ergometer, stationary bicycle,
climbing machine, or any other athletic performance device or
machine and/or combinations thereof. As described above with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the user or athlete may provide a
digital music player 203 that may, among other features, monitor
and store athletic performance data. In an alternate embodiment,
the user or athlete may provide another storage device, such as
flash drive or other similar Universal Serial Bus (USB) storage
device, compact flash, memory stick, secure digital card, or any
other portable storage device. As will be described in more detail
below, the digital music player 203 or other storage device may
couple to the athletic performance device or machine, for example
via a wired or wireless connection, to interact with the athletic
performance device or machine. Additionally, the digital music
player 203 or other storage device may couple to the athletic
performance device or machine via a combination of wired and
wireless connections. For example, the digital music player 203 or
other storage device may couple to the athletic performance device
or machine via a wired connection while the user or athlete may
interact with or control the digital music player 203 or other
storage device with a wireless connection, for example with a
remote control or other similar wireless device.
[0063] In an embodiment, the athletic performance data may be
generated by one or more athletic performance sensors located on or
adjacent to the user or athlete, for example on or in the user or
athlete's shoe. In an alternate embodiment, athletic performance
data may be generated by one or more athletic performance sensors
coupled to the athletic performance device or machine. In yet
another embodiment, athletic performance data may be generated by
one or more athletic performance sensors located on or adjacent to
the user or athlete and may be generated by one or more athletic
performance sensors coupled to the athletic performance device or
machine.
[0064] In an embodiment, the user or athlete may provide a digital
music player 203 or other storage device that may, among other
features, monitor and store current athletic performance data. The
digital music player 203 or other storage device may further store
and provide historical athletic performance data. The digital music
player 203 or other storage device may communicate directly with
the user interface 500 via wired or wireless connection. For
example, the athletic performance device or machine including user
interface 500 may further include an interface 540 that may be a
wireless transceiver or wired connector to bi-directionally
interface with the digital music player 203 or other storage
device.
[0065] More specifically, a particular athletic performance device
or machine may measure or sense performance data for a user or
athlete interacting with the athletic performance device. For
example, a stair stepping machine may communicate weight, climbing
rate (e.g., vertical feet per minute), calories burned, heart rate,
and the like to the digital music player 203 or other storage
device coupled thereto as described above. Further, the digital
music player 203 or other storage device may communicate historical
athletic performance data or other stored athletic performance data
to the athletic performance device or machine. In an embodiment,
the current athletic performance data, the historical or stored
athletic performance data (e.g., as stored by digital music player
203 or other storage device), or a combination thereof may be
displayed by user interface 500. In an embodiment, the user
interface 500 may be a console or the like coupled to the athletic
performance device or machine that is viewable by and accessible to
the user or athlete interacting with the athletic performance
device or machine. More specifically, the user interface 500 may be
a console that displays the user or athlete's athletic performance
substantially in real-time. Further, the user interface 500 console
may display a comparison of substantially real-time athletic
performance data to historical or otherwise stored athletic
performance data.
[0066] In an embodiment, the user interface 500 console may include
one or more portions. For example, the user interface 500 console
may include a workout portion 510, a history portion 520, and a
message portion 530. Further, the user interface 500 may include an
interface 540 to couple to the digital music player 203 or other
storage device. In an embodiment, the interface 540 may be a wired
or wireless interface as introduced above. The workout portion 510
may include, for example, an input device for the user or athlete
to input a workout goal or other workout parameters. For example,
the input device may be a numerical pad for the user or athlete to
input a workout goal or other workout parameters. The user or
athlete may utilize the input device to select a quick start (e.g.,
a predetermined time at a predetermined intensity), or to input
workout time, distance, calorie burn, or any other workout program.
Further, the workout portion 510 may include a display so that the
user or athlete has an indication of their progress in the quick
start, time, distance, calorie burn, or any other workout
program.
[0067] The history portion 520 may interact with the digital music
player 203 or other storage device via interface 540 to retrieve
historical data related to the user or athlete's past performance.
For example, the history portion 520 may retrieve and display the
user or athlete's last workout and best workout for a particular
athletic performance device or machine. In particular, the history
portion 520 may retrieve and display the user or athlete's last and
best workout time, distance, calorie burn, distance equivalent
(e.g., "cardiovascular miles" or "athletic activity credits") and
floors (e.g., if the history portion is coupled to a stair stepper
athletic performance device or machine). Further, the history
portion may display the user or athlete's current athletic
performance compared to their last workout and historical best
workout so that they have an indication of their current athletic
performance. In an alternate embodiment, the user interface 500 may
receive at least part of the historical or otherwise stored
athletic performance data associated with a user or athlete via a
wired and/or wireless connection to an additional athletic
performance database. For example the user interface 500 may
include Internet or other web-based connectivity to
bi-directionally communicate current and/or historical athletic
performance data.
[0068] The distance equivalent, for example cardiovascular miles,
may represent athletic performance data of differing types
converted to a common unit. For example, a runner may wear a shoe
that includes a sensor such as a pedometer or accelerometer to
track distance run, pace, average speed, and the like. The sensor
may further communicate the athletic performance data to the
digital musical player 203 or other storage device for storage and
transmission/relay to the user interface 500. Alternatively, the
user or athlete may be resistance training (i.e., lifting weights)
on any number of resistance training machines including one or more
athletic performance sensors coupled thereto. The athletic
performance sensor(s) may detect total weight lifted (i.e., weight
lifted multiplied by the number of repetitions), maximum weight
lifted, lifting rate/pace, delay between sets, and the like.
Similarly, the resistance training machines may further communicate
the athletic performance data to the digital musical player 203 or
other storage device for storage and transmission/relay to the user
interface 500.
[0069] In an embodiment, the user interface 500 may thereafter
convert the received athletic performance data to a common unit. In
an embodiment, an athletic performance module may convert the
received athletic performance data to distance (in an embodiment,
miles) run. In the above example, the runner's data already
represents miles run. However, the resistance trainer's data
represents total weight lifted, maximum weight lifted, lifting
rate/pace, delay between sets, and the like. The user interface
1700 may convert the resistance trainer's data to distance run in a
variety of manners. For example, the user interface 1700 may
include a database, look-up table, or the like that stores
predetermined conversion factors between, for example, total weight
lifted and miles run. The database or look-up table may further
contemplate additional metrics such as maximum weight lifted, etc.,
as introduced above. Alternatively, the athletic performance module
may apply the data to one or more algorithms to calculate the
distance run equivalent.
[0070] The user interface 5500 may further determine the calorie
usage or burn for each athletic performance. Once the calorie usage
or burn has been determined, a database, look-up table, or
algorithm may convert calorie usage or burn to miles run based on
one or more physical characteristics (e.g., age, weight, gender,
heart rate, and the like) of the user or athlete. The one or more
physical characteristics may be provided, for example, by the
digital music player 203, other storage device, or the user
interface 500 Internet or web connectivity. Alternatively, instead
of determining the calorie usage or burn for an athletic
performance, the user interface (in an embodiment via transmission
or relay from a digital music player 203, other storage device, or
the user interface 500 Internet or web connectivity) may receive
the calorie usage or burn from the athletic performance device or
machine for subsequent conversion to distance run. For example, an
ergometer may track the number of miles rowed by a user athlete.
However, it may also track the calorie usage or burn corresponding
to the miles rowed. Instead of converting the miles rowed to miles
run, the user interface 500 may convert calorie usage or burn to
miles run. Accordingly, the operation of user interface 500 may be
simplified for those athletic performance devices or machines that
already calculate calorie usage or burn. Though described with
reference to one or few athletic performance metrics, it is to be
understood that the user interface 500 may calculate, determine, or
otherwise generate the equivalent distance run based on any number
of athletic performance metrics. In an exemplary embodiment, the
conversation factor described above (100 calories burned=1 miles
run) could be utilized here.
[0071] Once the athletic performance of the user or athlete has
been converted to a common unit, for example miles run, they may
compare their athletic performance with personal goals, against
athletic performance benchmarks, and/or against historical athletic
performance. For example, a user or athlete may establish a
personal goal of running 100 miles, but may wish to achieve the
equivalent of running 100 miles by performing a variety of athletic
activities including activities involving one or more athletic
performance devices or machines. Similarly, an athletic benchmark
or milestone may suggest running 25 miles per week. A user or
athlete may reach the benchmark or milestone by any form of
athletic activity. Finally, once their athletic performance or
activities have been converted to a common unit, in an embodiment
miles run, multiple active people and athletes may participate in
competitions, races, or other events. Such competitions, races, or
other events are described herein and generally by U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/031,380 filed Feb. 14, 2008, and
incorporated herein in its entirety.
[0072] A message portion 530 may display messages for the user or
athlete. For example, the message portion 530 may remind the user
or athlete to synchronize their digital music player 203 or other
storage device with the user interface 500 or 2300 to transfer
athletic performance data. Further, the message portion may provide
an indication as to how a current workout or athletic performance
data compares to the best workout or athletic performance data for
the user or athlete. If the user or athlete is participating in a
challenge, competition, or the like, the message portion 530 may
provide an indication as to the user or athlete's progress or
comparison to the challenge or competition leader. Additionally,
the message portion 530 may provide congratulatory remarks or other
feedback should the user or athlete achieve a personal goal,
benchmark, or milestone.
[0073] As further shown in FIGS. 6-9, the USB type device 602
generally includes a housing 606 and a controller 608 that is
contained by the housing 606. General components and functional
capabilities of the controller 608 regarding athletic functionality
are similar to the digital music player 203 or other storage device
described above. The housing 606 includes a connector 610 that is
generally a standard USB connector having leads 612 or contacts
embedded therein. As explained in greater detail below, the
connector 610 is adapted to connect to a USB hub of a computer
(FIG. 10) or a USB hub or other interface located on the athletic
performance device or machine (shown schematically on the console
shown in FIG. 5). The housing 606 has a first pushbutton 614 that
will cooperate with a first input of the controller 608 for
controlling the wearable device 602 as needed. The housing 606 also
has a second pushbutton 616 that cooperates with a second input of
the controller 608 for controlling the wearable device 602 as
needed. The front side of the housing 606 accommodates a display
618 of the controller 608. As further shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the
back side of the housing 606 has a protrusion 620. The protrusion
620 has a generally circular cross-section and an enlarged rounded
head. The protrusion 620 is adapted to be inserted into a receiver
or aperture in the carrier 604.
[0074] As further shown in FIG. 9, the components of the controller
608 are contained within and supported by the housing 606. The
controller 608 includes various electrical components allowing the
controller 608 and device 602 to act as an interface device wherein
the device 602 can communicate with, for example, a shoe-based
sensor, record and store data relating to athletic performance,
other time information, as well as upload performance data to a
remote location or website as described in greater detail below.
The controller 608 can also interact with an athletic performance
device or machine for data recording as described above.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 6, the carrier 604 is generally in the form
of a wristband having a central portion between a first end and a
second end. The wristband 604 may include a first member and second
member generally molded or connected together. The wristband is
flexible to fit around a user's wrist. The wristband 604 has
receiving structures for connection to the device 602. The carrier
604 includes a protective sleeve 622 proximate the central portion
for receiving the connector 610. The protective sleeve 622 has a
generally contoured surface. The sleeve 622 may have internal
structure for assisting in securing the connector 610. Also at the
central portion, the carrier 604 has an aperture 624 (FIG. 9)
dimensioned to receive the protrusion 620 of the wearable device
602. Thus, when the wearable device 602 is connected to the
wristband 604, the connector 610 is secured within the protective
sleeve 622 and the protrusion 620 is received by the aperture
624.
[0076] As discussed, in one configuration, the wearable device
assembly 600 is operably connected to a sensor such as mounted in a
shoe. Similar to the digital music player 203 or other storage
device, the wearable device 602 receives data from the sensor
associated with the athletic performance of a user. It is
understood that the user may wear the device on the wrist while
performing an athletic activity. The user may then remove the
wearable device 602 from the wristband 604 and plug the device 602
into a personal computer such as shown in FIG. 10, wherein
collected data can be uploaded to a remote location such as a
website dedicated to displaying the athletic performance of
users.
[0077] In another configuration, the wearable device 602 can be
used in conjunction with athletic performance devices or machines,
for example gym equipment. For example, gym equipment such as
treadmills, spinning machines, elliptical machines, stair machines,
bicycles, other weight equipment and the like may have USB ports
for added functionality. A user may remove the wearable device 602
from the wristband 604 and insert the device 602 into the gym
equipment, such as in a USB port or other interface located on the
stepper console shown in FIG. 5. The user performs athletic
activity wherein data associated with the activity is received by
the USB device 602. The type of data capable of being received by
the USB device is generally similar to the data reception described
above with the operable connection between the digital music player
203 or other storage device and the gym equipment. Once the
athletic activity is complete, the user removes the USB device 602
from the gym equipment and again mounts the device on the wristband
604 or some other carrier as desired. The user can then insert the
USB device 602 into a personal computer wherein the data from the
athletic activity associated with the gym equipment can be uploaded
to a remote location such as the above described website.
Additional wired or wireless communication capabilities could also
be incorporated into the device 602. The cardiovascular exercise
data can then be transferred from the cardiovascular exercise
equipment to the device 602. The device 602 can be plugged into a
computer wherein the data can be transferred to an interface
employing the conversion factor described herein for providing an
equivalent miles run based on the cardiovascular exercise data.
This data can then be displayed by an interface 1200 as described
below.
[0078] Though described with reference to bi-directionally
communicating athletic performance data, in an additional
embodiment, the digital music player 203, other storage device,
and/or user interface 500 Internet or web-based connectivity may
control one or more parameters of the athletic performance device
or machine. For example, the digital music player 203, other
storage device, and/or user interface 500 Internet or web-based
connectivity may provide a workout level, duration, intensity,
pace, incline, target heart rate, resistance, or any other
parameter associated with an athletic performance device or
machine. In an embodiment, the one or more parameters may reflect
current and/or historical athletic performance data. Alternately or
additionally, the one or more parameters may reflect an athletic
performance training program or plan. In one or more
configurations, the digital music player 203 or USB device 602 may
be configured to convert athletic performance data from one unit to
another. Accordingly, athletic performance data may be transmitted
to an athletic performance monitoring system in a converted
form.
[0079] FIGS. 11-27 illustrate the collection and display of a user
or athlete's performance data by user interface 1200 as collected
from the digital music player 203 or other storage device. In an
embodiment, athletic performance data is collected, for example and
as illustrated by FIG. 11, when the digital music player 203 is
synchronized. In an alternate embodiment, at least the performance
data associated with the athletic performance device or machine
(i.e., gym equipment) may be communicated and collected via a
network, Internet, or other wired or wireless connection. For
example, the athletic performance device or machine may couple to a
network and or the Internet via a wired or wireless connection to
transmit and receive athletic performance data associated with the
user or athlete. Once the user or athlete's data has been
collected, the user or athlete may view and interact with the
athletic performance data as illustrated by user interface 1200 of
FIG. 12. In one or more configurations, data from a device may be
transmitted to a performance monitoring system through an
intermediary. For example, multiple athletic devices may be
connected to one another through a local area network, but only one
of the machines may be connected to a wide area network such as the
Internet. Accordingly, data from the multiple devices may be
transmitted to a remote monitoring system using the machine
connected to the wide area network as an intermediary.
[0080] For example, FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate that user interface
1200 may display details associated with a workout or other
athletic performance. As illustrated, the details correspond to a
workout on an elliptical machine. FIG. 13 in particular illustrates
that the thirty minute elliptical workout has been converted to an
equivalent miles run. Once a workout has been converted to its
equivalent in miles run (or other common unit), it may be displayed
alongside actual miles run as part of, for example, an interactive
athletic training tool and/or interactive athletic training log.
Such an interactive athletic training tool and/or interactive
athletic training log is described by U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/032,018, filed Feb. 27, 2008, and incorporated
herein in its entirety.
[0081] More specifically, FIG. 14 illustrates a range of dates for
which the user or athlete has completed a run or other athletic
performance. For dates on which the user or athlete completed their
workout at least in part on one or more athletic performance
devices or machines, the athletic performance data is illustrated
with, for example, a different legend than actual running athletic
performance data. For example, dates such as May 15 are displayed
with a heart icon or other similar identification to illustrate
that the user interface 1200 is displaying an equivalent distance
(i.e., "cardiovascular miles") for a particular workout or athletic
performance. FIG. 15 illustrates that the user interface 1200 may
display details of a workout, for example type of athletic
performance device or machine, equivalent distance, duration, and
calorie usage or burn.
[0082] FIG. 16 illustrates that the user or athlete may sort their
workouts or athletic performance based on whether the workouts or
athletic performance represent actual distance run or equivalent
cardiovascular distance. For example, the user or athlete may
select that user interface 1200 display all runs and cardiovascular
distance, all runs only, or all cardiovascular distance only. FIG.
17 illustrates user interface 1200 displaying only equivalent
cardiovascular distance or athletic performance. FIG. 18
illustrates user interface 1200 displaying only actual distance
run.
[0083] FIG. 19 illustrates that the user or athlete may utilize
user interface 1200 to establish goals, benchmarks, milestones,
and/or athletic training programs. For example, FIG. 20 illustrates
that the user or athlete has established a goal of covering fifty
miles in twelve weeks. Further, FIG. 20 illustrates the user or
athlete's progress. In an embodiment, the user or athlete may
achieve their goal by running, performing other athletic
activities, or a combination thereof. Accordingly, the user or
athlete's progress is displayed as a sum of any actual run distance
and any equivalent cardiovascular distance (or other common unit
such as an athletic activity credit). The user or athlete may
therefore utilize various athletic performance activities that
might not be measured in the same way (i.e., in the same units) to
achieve their goal.
[0084] FIG. 21 illustrates that the user or athlete may utilize
user interface 1200 to participate in competitions, challenges,
races, or other events as described herein and generally by U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/031,380 filed Feb. 14, 2008. In
particular, the user or athlete may participate in the competition,
challenge, race, or other event by completing runs, other athletic
performance activities, or a combination thereof. Accordingly,
their progress within the competition, challenge, race, or other
event is determined by a sum of any actual runs and any other
athletic performance as measured by equivalent cardiovascular
distance or another common unit. Further, the competition,
challenge, race, or other event may specify a run portion and an
athletic performance activity portion. For example, a fifty mile
challenge may include twenty-five miles of actual running distance
and twenty-five miles of equivalent cardiovascular distance.
[0085] FIG. 23 illustrates that a user or athlete may select one or
more challenges in which to participate. In an embodiment, the
challenges are sorted by total distance (i.e., including actual run
distance and equivalent cardiovascular distance). FIGS. 24 and 25
illustrate that the user interface 1200 may display the progress of
one or more users or athletes participating in the competition,
challenge, race, or other event. The progress of each user or
athlete may be illustrated as a combination of actual run distance
and equivalent cardio miles. For example, the progress of each user
or athlete may be illustrated by a bar chart for which the actual
run distance and equivalent cardiovascular distance have different
colors, color schemes, patterns, or the like to distinguish which
portion of the total distance covered represents each.
Alternatively, the competition, challenge, race, or other event may
include individual requirements for actual run distance and
equivalent cardiovascular distance for which a user or athlete's
progress in each may be displayed separately. Further, the user or
athlete's run performance may be compared to their other athletic
performance, for example as measured by equivalent cardiovascular
distance.
[0086] FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate that the user interface 1200 may
also serve as an athletic training tool and/or athletic training
log such as described by U.S. Provisional Patent Application
61/032,018, filed Feb. 27, 2008. For example, a user or athlete may
select a training program to train for walk-to-run, five
kilometers, ten kilometers, a half marathon, and/or a marathon.
Further, the user or athlete may train for a duathalon. More
specifically, and as illustrated by FIG. 27, a duathalon may
include actual run distance and equivalent cardiovascular distance
components. Alternatively, a user or athlete may complete the
training program with any combination of actual distance run or
equivalent cardiovascular distance based on other athletic
performance activity.
[0087] Numerous specific details have been set forth herein to
provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be
understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the
embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In
other instances, well-known operations and components have not been
described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments. It can be
appreciated that the specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit
the scope of the embodiments.
[0088] It is also worthy to note that any reference to "one
embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances
of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment.
[0089] Some embodiments may be implemented using an architecture
that may vary in accordance with any number of factors, such as
desired computational rate, power levels, heat tolerances,
processing cycle budget, input data rates, output data rates,
memory resources, data bus speeds and other performance
constraints. For example, an embodiment may be implemented using
software executed by a general-purpose or special-purpose
processor. In another example, an embodiment may be implemented as
dedicated hardware, such as a circuit, an application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC), Programmable Logic Device (PLD) or
digital signal processor (DSP), and so forth. In yet another
example, an embodiment may be implemented by any combination of
programmed general-purpose computer components and custom hardware
components. The embodiments are not limited in this context.
[0090] Some embodiments may be described using the expression
"coupled" and "connected" along with their derivatives. It should
be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for
each other. For example, some embodiments may be described using
the term "connected" to indicate that two or more elements are in
direct physical or electrical contact with each other. In another
example, some embodiments may be described using the term "coupled"
to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or
electrical contact. The term "coupled," however, also may mean that
two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but
yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The embodiments
are not limited in this context.
[0091] Some embodiments may be implemented, for example, using a
machine-readable medium or article which may store an instruction
or a set of instructions that, if executed by a machine, may cause
the machine to perform a method and/or operations in accordance
with the embodiments. Such a machine may include, for example, any
suitable processing platform, computing platform, computing device,
processing device, computing system, processing system, computer,
processor, or the like, and may be implemented using any suitable
combination of hardware and/or software. The machine-readable
medium or article may include, for example, any suitable type of
memory unit, such as the examples given with reference to FIG. 2.
For example, the memory unit may include any memory device, memory
article, memory medium, storage device, storage article, storage
medium and/or storage unit, memory, removable or non-removable
media, erasable or non-erasable media, writeable or re-writeable
media, digital or analog media, hard disk, floppy disk, Compact
Disk Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact Disk Recordable (CD-R),
Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), optical disk, magnetic media,
various types of Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), a tape, a cassette,
or the like. The instructions may include any suitable type of
code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code,
executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. The
instructions may be implemented using any suitable high-level,
low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/or interpreted
programming language, such as C, C++, Java, BASIC, Perl, Matlab,
Pascal, Visual BASIC, assembly language, machine code, and so
forth. The embodiments are not limited in this context.
[0092] While certain features of the embodiments have been
illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions,
changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art.
It is therefore to be understood that the appended claims are
intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within
the true spirit of the embodiments.
* * * * *