U.S. patent application number 12/419826 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-30 for navigation-assisted fitness and dieting device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Garmin International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Claudette D. Fisher, John H. Lovitt.
Application Number | 20090192391 12/419826 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40635932 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090192391 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lovitt; John H. ; et
al. |
July 30, 2009 |
NAVIGATION-ASSISTED FITNESS AND DIETING DEVICE
Abstract
A navigation-assisted fitness device broadly comprising a
location determining component, a fitness monitoring component and
a display. The location determining component determines location
data for a user of the device as the user exercises. The fitness
monitoring component is coupled with the location determining
component and calculates fitness information for the user as the
user exercises. The display displays the fitness information and
other information and data.
Inventors: |
Lovitt; John H.; (Spring
Hill, KS) ; Fisher; Claudette D.; (Wilsonville,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GARMIN INTERNATIONAL, INC.;ATTN: Legal - IP
1200 EAST 151ST STREET
OLATHE
KS
66062
US
|
Assignee: |
Garmin International, Inc.
Olathe
KS
|
Family ID: |
40635932 |
Appl. No.: |
12/419826 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11230062 |
Sep 19, 2005 |
7534206 |
|
|
12419826 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/483 ;
342/357.57; 600/503 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/681 20130101;
G16H 20/30 20180101; G16H 40/63 20180101; A61B 5/02438 20130101;
A61B 2505/07 20130101; G16H 20/60 20180101; G01C 21/20 20130101;
A61B 5/1112 20130101; G16H 15/00 20180101; A61B 2503/10
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/483 ;
342/357.07; 600/503 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/02 20060101
A61B005/02; G01S 1/00 20060101 G01S001/00 |
Claims
1. A navigation-assisted fitness device comprising: a GPS receiver
operable to receive satellite signals from a plurality of GPS
satellites and calculate current location data as a user exercises;
a fitness monitoring component coupled with the GPS receiver and
operable to: receive an indication of a target amount of calories
to be burned by the user, determine a plurality of exercise options
that may be completed to burn the target amount of calories, each
of the determined exercise options including a type of exercise and
an exercise duration, identify selection of one of the exercise
options, and calculate fitness information for the user based on
the selected exercise option as the user exercises; a display for
displaying the exercise options and the calculated fitness
information; and a portable housing for housing the GPS receiver,
the fitness monitoring component, and the display.
2. The fitness device of claim 1, further including an input
coupled with the fitness monitoring component, the input configured
to be operated by the user to indicate the target amount of
calories and to select one of the exercise options.
3. The fitness device of claim 2, wherein the input includes one or
more buttons disposed on the portable housing.
4. The fitness device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of exercise
options include walking, running, and biking.
5. The fitness device of claim 4, wherein the plurality of exercise
options include walking, running, biking, and swimming.
6. The fitness device of claim 1, wherein the fitness information
includes a total amount of calories burned by the user during the
selected exercise.
7. The fitness device of claim 1, wherein the fitness information
includes an indication of a type and amount of food that may be
consumed by the user to equal the total calories burned during the
selected exercise.
8. The fitness device of claim 1, further including a heart rate
monitor coupled with the fitness monitoring component for
monitoring a heart rate of the user and for sending corresponding
heart rate data to the fitness monitoring component.
9. The fitness device of claim 1, wherein the location data is
displayed on the display over a cartographic map.
10. The fitness device of claim 1, wherein the fitness monitoring
component is operable to track and record a total distance traveled
by the user over multiple exercise sessions and to display a
representation of the total distance over a map presented on the
display.
11. The fitness device of claim 1, wherein the fitness monitoring
component is operable to track and record a total amount of
calories burned by the user over multiple exercise sessions and to
display a representation of the total amount of calories burned on
the display.
12. A navigation-assisted fitness device comprising: a GPS receiver
operable to receive satellite signals from a plurality of GPS
satellites and calculate current location data as a user exercises;
a fitness monitoring component coupled with the GPS receiver and
operable to: receive an indication of a target amount of calories
to be burned by the user, determine a plurality of exercise options
that may be completed to burn the target amount of calories, each
of the determined exercise options including a type of exercise and
a exercise duration, the plurality of exercise options including
walking, running, and biking, identify selection of one of the
exercise options, and calculate fitness information for the user as
the user exercises based on the selected exercise option, the
calculated fitness information including a total amount of calories
burned by the user during the selected exercise; a display for
displaying the exercise options, the location data, and the
calculated fitness information; and a portable housing for housing
the GPS receiver, the fitness monitoring component, and the
display.
13. The fitness device of claim 12, further including an input
coupled with the fitness monitoring component, the input configured
to be operated by the user to indicate the target amount of
calories and to select one of the exercise options.
14. The fitness device of claim 13, wherein the input includes one
or more buttons disposed on the portable housing.
15. The fitness device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of
exercise options include walking, running, biking, and
swimming.
16. The fitness device of claim 12, wherein the fitness information
includes an indication of a type and amount of food that may be
consumed by the user to equal the total calories burned during the
selected exercise.
17. The fitness device of claim 12, further including a heart rate
monitor coupled with the fitness monitoring component for
monitoring a heart rate of the user and for sending corresponding
heart rate data to the fitness monitoring component.
18. The fitness device of claim 12, wherein the location data is
displayed on the display over a cartographic map.
19. The fitness device of claim 12, wherein the fitness monitoring
component is operable to track and record a total distance traveled
by the user over multiple exercise sessions and to display a
representation of the total distance over a map presented on the
display.
20. The fitness device of claim 12, wherein the fitness monitoring
component is operable to track and record a total amount of
calories burned by the user over multiple exercise sessions and to
display a representation of the total amount of calories burned on
the display.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of, and claims
priority benefit to, co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. patent
application entitled "NAVIGATION-ASSISTED FITNESS AND DIETING
DEVICE," application Ser. No. 11/230,062, filed Sep. 19, 2005,
which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present invention relates to navigation devices. More
particularly, the invention relates to a navigation-assisted
fitness and dieting device which monitors a user's exercise and
provides diet and fitness information which is geared toward
persons trying to lose weight or improve their general fitness
level.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The advent of the Atkins.RTM. diet, the South Beach.RTM.
diet, and other popular diets and the heightened awareness of the
importance of exercise has caused an increasing number of people to
pay more attention to their diets and exercise regimens.
Unfortunately, most people still lack a basic understanding of how
their bodies react to different diets and exercise routines. For
example, many people who wish to burn fat calories exercise at a
high intensity level even though a higher percentage of fat
calories are burned during lower intensity workouts.
[0006] Portable personal training devices have been developed to
assist athletes and fitness buffs in monitoring and recording
certain performance values while they train and exercise. One such
device manufactured by Garmin International, Inc. of Olathe, Kans.,
can be worn on a user's wrist, includes a GPS receiver, and is
operable to continuously monitor and track the user's heart rate,
speed, distance traveled, pace, and calories burned and to provide
directions or routes to a desired destination or along a desired
route.
[0007] Although such training devices provide excellent information
and performance features for athletes and serious fitness buffs,
their features focus on athletic performance, speed/pace goals, and
peak workout levels, rather than weight loss and general health.
Similarly, these prior art training devices are not concerned with
motivating users to exercise as athletes and serious fitness buffs
need little motivation.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present invention solves the above-described problems
and provides a distinct advance in the art of dieting and fitness.
More particularly, the invention relates to a navigation-assisted
fitness and dieting device which monitors a user's exercise and
provides diet and fitness information which is geared toward
persons trying to lose weight or improve their general fitness
level. The device also provides numerous features to motivate users
to start and continue with exercise routines.
[0009] One embodiment of the present invention is a
navigation-assisted fitness device broadly comprising a location
determining component, a fitness monitoring component and a
display. The location determining component determines location
data for a user of the device as the user exercises. The fitness
monitoring component is coupled with the location determining
component and calculates fitness information for the user as the
user exercises. The display displays the fitness information and
other information and data.
[0010] The fitness information may include an indication of the
intensity level of the user's exercise, the total amount of
calories burned by the user during the exercise, the amount of fat
calories burned, and the amount of carbohydrate calories burned.
The device calculates the ratio of fat calories burned versus
carbohydrate calories burned based on the exercise intensity level.
As the user increases or decreases his or her exercise intensity
level, the device recalculates and displays the ratio or percentage
of total calories burned from fat reserves and from carbohydrate
reserves.
[0011] The fitness information may also include an amount and type
of exercise that must be completed to burn a target amount of
calories. A user may indicate, for example, that he or she wants to
burn one hundred calories. The fitness monitoring component then
calculates that the user can run one mile, walk two miles, or bike
three miles and then displays these options. The user may select
one of the displayed exercise options and begin to complete this
workout. While the user exercises according to the workout, the
device monitors the user's exercise, estimates and displays the
actual calories burned, and provides other useful health
information.
[0012] The fitness information may also include an amount and type
of certain food items that may be consumed by the user to equal the
total calories burned during a workout. For example, the device may
determine that the amount of calories burned during a workout
equals the calories in an apple, a small serving of french fries,
etc. and then display these food options.
[0013] The fitness information may also include estimated health
improvements of the user as a result of one or more workouts. For
example, the device may track and record performance information
for the user over multiple workouts such as the total number of
miles walked or run and then calculate and display an estimate of
the user's improved circulation, heart rate, or body fat as a
result of the workouts.
[0014] The fitness information may also include motivational
information to encourage the user to start and continue with an
exercise regime. For example, the device may track the total number
of miles walked by a user over multiple workouts and then display
the total miles over a map of the United States to show the user
how far he or she has walked relative to points within the country.
The device may also track the total number of calories burned by
the user over multiple workouts and then equate this to the
calories in certain quantities and types of food items and/or an
estimated weight loss.
[0015] These and other important aspects of the present invention
are described more fully in the detailed description below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0016] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described
in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures,
wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a navigation-assisted
fitness and dieting device constructed in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention and shown strapped to
a user's wrist or forearm.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting some of the components
of the fitness device of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a Global Positioning System
(GPS) that may be used to implement certain aspects of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a sample screen display or page of the fitness
device.
[0021] FIG. 5 is another sample screen display or page of the
fitness device.
[0022] FIG. 6 is another sample screen display or page of the
fitness device.
[0023] FIG. 7 is another sample screen display or page of the
fitness device.
[0024] FIG. 8 is another sample screen display or page of the
fitness device.
[0025] FIG. 9 is another sample screen display or page of the
fitness device.
[0026] FIG. 10 is another sample screen display or page of the
fitness device.
[0027] FIG. 11 is another sample screen display or page of the
fitness device.
[0028] FIG. 12 is another sample screen display or page of the
fitness device.
[0029] FIG. 13 is another sample screen display or page of the
fitness device.
[0030] FIG. 14 is another sample screen display or page of the
fitness device.
[0031] FIG. 15 is another sample screen display or page of the
fitness device.
[0032] FIG. 16 is another sample screen display or page of the
fitness device.
[0033] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of computer equipment shown
coupled to the fitness device of FIG. 1 for the purpose of
downloading data to the device.
[0034] The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to
the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The
drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] The following detailed description of the invention
references the accompanying drawings which illustrate specific
embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The
embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be
made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The
following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a
limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is defined only
by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to
which such claims are entitled.
[0036] Turning now to the drawing figures, and particularly FIGS. 1
and 2, a navigation-assisted fitness and dieting device 10 (also
referred to as "fitness device" and "device" herein) constructed in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is
illustrated. The device 10 is especially suited for use by persons
trying to lose weight and/or improve their general fitness level
and is operable to continuously monitor and track a user's heart
rate, distance traveled, pace, calories burned and other
performance values while exercising, to provide fitness information
that assists the user in meeting certain fitness and/or dieting
goals, and to motivate the user to start and stick with an exercise
regime.
[0037] The present invention can be implemented in hardware,
software, firmware, or a combination thereof, but is preferably
implemented with the components illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Specifically, a preferred embodiment of the device 10 broadly
comprises a fitness monitoring component 12; a location determining
component 14; a display 16; one or more input devices 18; and an
elongated housing 20 which encloses and protects the other
components from moisture, vibration, and impact associated with the
exercise or movement of the user. The device 10 may also include a
strap 22 which removably secures the housing 20 to the user's
forearm or wrist 24 and a heart rate monitor 26.
[0038] The fitness monitoring component 12 receives location
information from the location determining component 14, monitors
certain performance values of the user as the user exercises,
calculates fitness information related to the user's exercise, and
displays the fitness information on the display 16. The performance
values may include, for example, the user's heart rate, speed or
pace, cadence, and calories burned. The fitness information
calculated by the device 10 may include the type and quantity of
calories burned based on an intensity level of a workout; an amount
and type of exercise that can be completed to burn a target amount
of calories; an amount and type of food that may be eaten by the
user as a reward for completing an exercise; the total calories
burned, miles traveled, and/or duration of exercise as a result of
a number of workouts or exercise sessions; and an estimate of the
improvement in the user's health as a result of completion of
workouts. Each of these types of fitness information is discussed
in more detail below. Supplemental information may be entered into
the fitness monitor component 12 from an external source as
described below.
[0039] The fitness monitoring component 12 may consist of one or
more processors, controllers, or other computing devices and
preferably includes internal or external memory. The functions of
the fitness monitoring component described herein may be performed
by hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof.
[0040] The location determining component 14 is preferably a global
positioning system (GPS) receiver, and provides, in a substantially
conventional manner, geographic location information for the device
10. The location determining component 14 may be, for example, a
GPS receiver much like those provided in products by Garmin
Corporation and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,434,485, which is
incorporated herein by specific reference.
[0041] In general, the GPS is a satellite-based radio navigation
system capable of determining continuous position, velocity, time,
and direction information for an unlimited number of users.
Formally known as NAVSTAR, the GPS incorporates a plurality of
satellites which orbit the earth in extremely precise orbits. Based
on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay their location to
any number of receiving units.
[0042] The GPS system is implemented when a device specially
equipped to receive GPS data begins scanning radio frequencies for
GPS satellite signals. Upon receiving a radio signal from a GPS
satellite, the device can determine the precise location of that
satellite via one of different conventional methods. The device
will continue scanning for signals until it has acquired at least
three different satellite signals. Implementing geometrical
triangulation, the receiver utilizes the three known positions to
determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the
satellites. Acquiring a fourth satellite signal will allow the
receiving device to calculate its three-dimensional position by the
same geometrical calculation. The positioning and velocity data can
be updated in real time on a continuous basis by an unlimited
number of users.
[0043] Although GPS enabled devices are often used to describe
navigational devices, it will be appreciated that satellites need
not be used to determine a geographic position of a receiving unit
since any receiving device capable of receiving the location from
at least three transmitting locations can perform basic
triangulation calculations to determine the relative position of
the receiving device with respect to the transmitting locations.
For example, cellular towers or any customized transmitting radio
frequency towers can be used instead of satellites. With such a
configuration, any standard geometric triangulation algorithm can
be used to determine the exact location of the receiving unit. In
this way, personal hand held devices, cell phones, intelligent
appliances, intelligent apparel, and others can be readily located
geographically, if appropriately equipped to be a receiving
unit.
[0044] FIG. 3 shows one representative view of a GPS denoted
generally by reference numeral 26. A plurality of satellites 28 are
in orbit about the Earth 30. The orbit of each satellite 28 is not
necessarily synchronous with the orbits of other satellites and, in
fact, is likely asynchronous. A GPS receiver device 10 such as the
ones described in connection with preferred embodiments of the
present invention is shown receiving spread spectrum GPS satellite
signals from the various satellites 28.
[0045] The spread spectrum signals continuously transmitted from
each satellite 28 utilize a highly accurate frequency standard
accomplished with an extremely accurate atomic clock. Each
satellite 28, as part of its data signal transmission, transmits a
data stream indicative of that particular satellite. The device 10
must acquire spread spectrum GPS satellite signals from at least
three satellites for the GPS receiver device to calculate its
two-dimensional position by triangulation. Acquisition of an
additional signal, resulting in signals from a total of four
satellites, permits the device 10 to calculate its
three-dimensional position.
[0046] The location determining component 14 may include one or
more processors, controllers, or other computing devices and memory
for storing information accessed and/or generated by the processors
or other computing devices. The location determining component 14
is operable to receive navigational signals from the GPS satellites
28 to calculate a position of the device 10 as a function of the
signals. The location determining component 14 is also operable to
calculate a route to a desired location, provide instructions to
navigate to the desired location, display maps and other
information on the display screen 16, and to execute other
functions described herein. The memory may store cartographic data
and routing used by or generated by the location determining
component's computing devices. The memory may be integral with the
location determining component 14, stand-alone memory, or a
combination of both. The memory may include, for example, removable
TransFlash cards.
[0047] The location determining component 14 also includes an
antenna, which is preferably positioned within the housing 20
opposite the display 16, to assist the location determining
component in receiving signals. The antenna is preferably a GPS
patch antenna or helical antenna but may be any other type of
antenna that can be used with navigational devices. The antenna may
be mounted directly on or in the housing or may be mounted external
to the housing. The antenna is preferably protected from adverse
conditions, such as those described above, by being entirely
enclosed within the housing. Additionally, any harmful physical
contact that can occur from a user's accidental contact with a
conventional, pointed, antenna is eliminated as the antenna has no
sharp points protruding from the housing. Furthermore, the
placement of the antenna adjacent to the display provides the
antenna with adequate reception, regardless of the user's physical
alignment, as the antenna is always orientated away from the user.
Alternatively, the antenna may be operable to broadcast signals and
may be positioned elsewhere within the housing or external to the
housing.
[0048] The display screen 16 is coupled with the fitness monitoring
component 12 and the location determining component 14 for
displaying fitness and location data and information. The display
screen 16 is preferably an LCD display capable of displaying both
text and graphical information. The display 16 may also be backlit
such that it may be viewed in the dark or other low-light
environments. One example of a display that may be used with the
present invention is a 100.times.64 pixel display with a bright
white LED backlight. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the display screen
16 is preferably positioned on a front face of the housing for easy
viewing.
[0049] The inputs 18 are preferably positioned on the side of the
housing such that they may be easily accessed by the user during
exercise. The inputs 18 may include descriptive markings that
identify their function. Preferably, the inputs 18 are positioned
such that the user may operate them with one hand, thus enabling
the user to continue exercising while operating the device. The
inputs may be buttons, switches, keys, an electronic touchscreen
associated with the display, voice recognition circuitry, or any
other elements capable of controlling the performance monitoring
component and location determining component.
[0050] In one embodiment, the inputs 18 may comprise a Power input
button 32 which turns the device on and off and which enables the
back-light; a Mode input 34 to change between operating modes of
the fitness monitoring component 12 and the location determining
component 14; a Reset/Lap input 36 to reset a timing function; an
Enter or Start/Stop input 38 to start and stop the timing function
or to confirm a menu selection; and a Down Arrow input 40 and an Up
Arrow input 42 to choose a data screen or change selections within
a data screen. Alternatively, the inputs 18 may include other
combinations of inputs which effectively operate the device.
[0051] The device 10 may also include a speaker for providing
audible instructions and feedback, a microphone for receiving voice
commands, an infrared port for wirelessly receiving and
transmitting data and other information from and to nearby
electronics, and other information, and even a cellular or other
radio transceiver for wirelessly receiving and transmitting data
from and to remote devices. For example, the radio transceiver may
permit the device 10 to communicate with a remote server such as
the one shown in FIG. 14 and described below.
[0052] The device 10 may also include a number of I/O ports that
permit data and other information to be transferred to and from the
fitness monitoring component 12 and the location determining
component 14. The I/O ports may include a TransFlash card slot for
receiving removable TransFlash cards and a USB port for coupling
with a USB cable connected to another computing device such as a
personal computer as depicted in FIG. 14. Navigational software,
cartographic maps and other data and information may be loaded in
the navigational device via the I/O ports, the wireless
transceivers, or the infrared port mentioned above.
[0053] The components shown in FIG. 2 and described above need not
be physically connected to one another since wireless communication
among the various depicted components is permissible and intended
to fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0054] The housing 20 is preferably constructed from a suitable
lightweight and impact-resistant material such as, for example,
plastic, nylon, aluminum, or any combination thereof. The housing
20 preferably includes one or more appropriate gaskets or seals to
make it substantially waterproof or resistant. The housing 20 may
include a location for a battery, or other power source, associated
with the device 10. Though shown as being substantially elongated,
the housing 20 may take any suitable shape or size, including, for
example, ergonomic shapes molded to substantially correspond to a
portion of the user's forearm whereupon or against which the
housing 20 is meant to rest. Preferably, the housing has a width
between one and six inches, a height between one-half of an inch
and six inches, and a depth between one-sixteenth of an inch and
three inches. However, the particular size, weight and
configuration of the housing may be changed without departing from
the scope of the present invention.
[0055] The elongated shape of the housing 20 allows the device 10
to be securely supported by the user's forearm or wrist such that
the device 10 remains securely attached to the user, even during
exercise or other periods of activity. The shape and dimensions of
the housing 20 also allow the user to operate the device 10 with
one hand, as the housing 20 may be gripped by the user's fingers
while inputs described below are operated by the user's thumb.
Additionally, the housing 20 has a large surface area to contain
the components shown in FIG. 2 and a generally flat, rounded,
profile to reduce harmful contact of the device 10 to the user or
an external element.
[0056] The strap 22 is preferably made of lightweight and resilient
fabric, such that the strap may encircle the user's arm without
discomfort while still adequately securing the housing 20 to the
user's forearm. The strap 22 is removably secured to the housing 20
by the attachment of securing elements to connecting elements. The
connecting elements and securing elements may be any conventional
reciprocal connecting and securing pair, such as a hooks, latches,
clamps, snaps, buttons, etc. The strap 22 is attached to the user's
forearm by encircling the strap around the user's forearm and
securing the strap 22 to itself through the use of hooks, latches,
clamps, or other conventional fastening elements. Alternatively,
the strap 22 may be configured to attach to other parts of the
user, such as the user's leg, waist, wrist, or upper arm.
[0057] A user may operate the device 10 by manipulating the inputs
18. For example, after turning the device on with the Power button
32, the user may press the Mode input 34 to switch between a Timer
mode depicted in FIG. 4 and a Menu mode depicted in FIG. 5. The
Timer mode initially displays a Time and Speed page 44 (sometimes
referred to as a Speed page or a Timer page). The menu mode
displays a Main Menu page 46. From the initial Timer page 44, the
user may operate the Up and Down arrow buttons 40,42 to access data
pages including a Lap page 48 depicted in FIG. 6, a Heart Rate page
50 depicted in FIG. 7, and a custom page 52 depicted in FIG. 8.
[0058] By depressing the Mode button 34, a user may also enable
navigation capabilities of the location determining component 14.
The navigation capabilities may allow a user to display the user's
current geographic location on the display 16, map the user's
location on the display 16, chart a desired course of travel on the
display, or find a desired location on a map generated on the
display. Additional navigation capabilities, such as conventional
functions found in known navigation units, may also be provided by
the location determining component. Supplemental navigational
information, such as additional maps or geographical information,
may be entered into the location determining component from an
external source, such as the computer shown in FIG. 14.
[0059] The heart rate monitor 26 preferably includes a pair of
heart rate sensors carried on a strap designed to be worn below the
user's breastplate. The sensors are connected to a transmitter
which wirelessly transmits heart rate data to the performance
monitoring component. When the user puts on the heart rate monitor,
it begins transmitting heart rate data plus a unique,
randomly-selected code. When the device is turned on, it begins
"listening" for data from the heart rate monitor. Once the device
"hears" two or more transmissions of heart rate data that contain
the same unique code, it pairs with the heart rate monitor,
creating a unique wireless link.
[0060] Once paired, the device 10 will never receive conflicting
signals from another heart rate monitor, so the user can exercise
in close proximity to other heart rate monitors without fear of
interference. If the device loses a heart rate signal, the pairing
process begins again automatically.
[0061] The user follows these steps to successfully pair the device
10 with his or her heart rate monitor 26: 1) position the heart
rate monitor 26 and establish a strong connection between it and
the user's pulse; 2) position the device 10 within range of the
heart rate monitor 26 (90-110 cm or 35-43 inches); and 3) stand at
least six feet away from any other heart rate monitor (only while
pairing).
[0062] The device 10 may permit the user to select an exercise from
a plurality of different types of exercise and display information
specific to the selected exercise. For example, the device 10 may
permit the user to select walking, running or other. "Other" can be
used for nearly any sport or exercise. Other embodiments of the
device could permit selection of different and additional exercises
or workouts without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0063] Once a workout or exercise is selected, the fitness
monitoring component 12 displays data pages with calculated units
which are specific to the selected exercise, and may calculate
performance values such as calories burned and maximum heart rate
for the exercise. For example, if the user selects walking, the
Timer mode page 44 depicted in FIG. 4 shows a "pace" (rather than
"speed") in units of min/mile or min/km. The device 10 may also
organize workout data by type of exercise and store workout data
for all exercises. The device 10 also displays the details of a
workout differently depending on the exercise selected, by, for
example, changing the pace units as discussed above. The device 10
may also display sports specific icons, such as a graphical image
of a person running for the Running mode and a graphical image of a
person walking for the walking mode.
[0064] The device 10 may also offer other training features that
allow a user to set goals and alerts, train with a Virtual Partner,
and program interval workouts. For example, the device 10 may
provide audible and/or visual alerts when the user reaches certain
time, distance, pace, speed, cadence or heart rate goals. A Virtual
Partner mode allows the user to enter the distance, time or
pace/speed at which he or she wishes to complete a workout.
Workouts can also be created externally, such as with a Training
Center software provided by Garmin International, and then
transferred to the device.
[0065] In accordance with one important aspect of the present
invention, the device 10 also calculates and displays fitness
information which is geared toward persons trying to lose weight or
improve their general fitness level. The device 10 also provides
numerous features to motivate users to start and continue with an
exercise routine and thus serves as a "virtual coach".
[0066] In one embodiment, the fitness information includes an
indication of the intensity level of the user's exercise, the total
amount of calories burned by the user during the exercise, the
amount of fat calories burned, and the amount of carbohydrate
calories burned. This information is very valuable to persons
trying to lose weight because most people lack an understanding of
how different forms and intensities of workouts affect weight loss.
For instance, some people assume that the intensity of exercise
must be kept very high to burn fat as a fuel and some people assume
the opposite. In truth, at low exercise intensities, a high
percentage of the total energy expenditure during exercise is
derived from fat. Thus, as the exercise intensity increases, the
percentage of fat used as fuel decreases. However, the total rate
(not relative percentage) of fat oxidation during exercise is
typically greatest at higher exercise intensities that are below
the lactate threshold. Thus, the regulation of fuel selection
during exercise is under complex control and is dependent upon
several factors, including diet and the intensity and duration of
exercise. In general, carbohydrates are used as the major fuel
source during high-intensity exercise. During prolonged exercise,
there is a gradual shift from carbohydrate metabolism toward fat
metabolism. Proteins contribute less than 2% of the fuel used
during exercise of less than one hour's duration. During prolonged
exercise (i.e., three to five hours' duration), the total
contribution of protein to the fuel supply may reach 5%-15% during
the final minutes of prolonged work.
[0067] The fitness monitoring component 12 is programmed to take
these factors into account when calculating the amount of fat
calories burned versus carbohydrate calories burned during a
workout. The device 10 then displays this information so the user
can quickly and easily graphically see his or her exercise results
and adjust exercise intensity to achieve a particular
calorie-burning objective. As the user increases or decreases the
intensity level of an exercise, the device recalculates and
displays new values for total calories burned, fat calories burned
and carbohydrate calories burned.
[0068] For example, FIG. 9 shows an exemplary screen display 54 for
when the user is walking at a pace of 19:00/mile and has a heart
rate of 60%. At this pace and intensity level, the user is burning
10 calories per minute, 60% of which are from fat and 40% of which
are from carbohydrates. FIG. 10 shows a display 56 illustrating
that when the user increases his or her pace to 13:00/mile and
heart rate to 70%, he or she is burning 14 calories per minute, 50%
of which are from fat and 50% of which are from carbohydrates. The
device 10 therefore provides highly useful health information that
allows the user to tailor the intensity of a workout to meet
certain weight loss or control goals. The particular calorie
numbers described and illustrated herein are for illustrative
purposes only and aren't necessarily from an actual person's
workout.
[0069] The fitness information may also include an amount and type
of exercise that must be completed to burn a target amount of
calories. A user may operate the inputs 18 to indicate, for
example, that he or she wants to burn 200 calories as depicted by
the display in FIG. 12. The fitness monitoring component 12 may
then present several exercise options for reaching this goal. After
the user selects one of the displayed exercise options, the device
calculates and displays the distance and/or duration of the
selected exercise that must be performed to burn the target amount
of calories. While the user performs the exercise, the device
monitors the user's performance by tracking the actual distance
traveled, pace, etc.
[0070] The fitness information may also include an amount and type
of certain food items that may be consumed by the user to equal the
total calories burned during a workout as depicted by the display
60 in FIG. 11. For example, the device 10 may determine that the
amount of calories burned during a workout equals the calories in
an apple, a small candy bar, a scoop of ice cream, and then display
these food options.
[0071] The fitness information may also include estimated health
improvements for the user as a result of one or more workouts. For
example, the device may track and record performance information
for the user over multiple workouts such as the total number of
miles walked or run and then calculate and display an estimate of
the user's improved body fat as depicted by the display 62 in FIG.
14, heart rate as depicted by the display 64 in FIG. 15, and
circulation as depicted by the display 66 in FIG. 16. To provide
more accurate health improvement estimates, the device may permit
the entry of information used to calculate these values. For
example, a user could enter his or her weight before and after
completion of a number of workouts to be used to more accurately
estimate the user's improved body fat percentage.
[0072] The fitness information may also include motivational
information to encourage the user to start and continue with an
exercise regime. For example, the device may track the total number
of miles walked by a user over multiple workouts and then display
an indication 68 of the total miles over a map of the United States
as depicted by the display 70 in FIG. 13 to show the user how far
he or she has walked relative to points within the country. The
device may also track total miles, then provide a text or audio
message such as "You have now walked across Texas" when the user
has walked this many total miles. The device may also track the
total number of calories burned by the user over multiple workouts
and then equate this to the calories in certain quantities and
types of food items also as depicted in FIG. 13.
[0073] The device 10 may also be programmed to automatically adjust
performance goals if a user misses or shortens any workouts. For
example, if a user starts an exercise routine in which the user
walks three miles per day and increases his or her pace by 5% per
workout, but the user then misses four workouts, the device may
automatically lower the pace goals so the user doesn't become
discouraged.
[0074] The device may also include an alarm and calendar features
to keep track of scheduled workouts and to alert the user before a
workout.
[0075] Information and data may be downloaded to the device from a
server 70 via a user computer 72 coupled to the server through a
communications network 74 as depicted in FIG. 17. The
communications network 74 may be the Internet, a local area
network, a wireless communication network, or any other
conventional network. Once downloaded, the data can then be
transferred from the computer 72 to the device 10 via a wired or
wireless link such as an infrared link, Bluetooth connection, or
USB connection.
[0076] Alternatively, the information and data can be directly
transferred from the server 70 to the device 10 via a wired or
wireless data link. For example, the device 10 may be equipped with
a cellular transreceiver or other wireless data link for
communicating directly with the server or other external computer.
Data and information may also be transferred directly to the device
10 from a similar device.
[0077] The device 10 may also include an entertainment component
operable to execute at least one game that is stored in memory or
otherwise accessible by the entertainment component. Preferably,
the entertainment component is operable to execute a plurality of
games. In operation, a user manipulates a plurality of inputs to
select a particular game, which is displayed on a display, and
participate in the game. The entertainment component may connect
with other similar entertainment components, by a connection formed
through a contact, antenna, or other connection elements, to allow
the user to interact with multiple persons during the course of the
game. The game may interface with the user's geographic location
information, such as the user's current geographic location, to
provide a real-world link in an executed game. Games or additional
entertainment information may be entered into the entertainment
component from an external source, such as a computer or computer
network. Other features and aspects that may be included in the
present invention are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,837,827;
6,853,955; and patent application Ser. No. 10/786,377, entitled
WEARABLE GPS DEVICE and filed on Feb. 25, 2004, all of which are
incorporated by reference into the present application.
[0078] Although the invention has been described with reference to
the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing
figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and
substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the
invention as recited in the claims. For example, some of the
components of the device 10 can also be embodied as computer
hardware circuitry or as a computer-readable program, or a
combination of both. More specifically, the programs can be
structured in an object-orientation using an object-oriented
language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++, and others, and the programs
can be structured in a procedural-orientation using a procedural
language such as C, PASCAL, and others. The software components
communicate in any of a number of means that are well-known to
those skilled in the art, such as application program interfaces
(A.P.I.) or interprocess communication techniques such as remote
procedure call (R.P.C.), common object request broker architecture
(CORBA), Component Object Model (COM), Distributed Component Object
Model (DCOM), Distributed System Object Model (DSOM) and Remote
Method Invocation (RMI). Any programming methodology, programming
language, programming interface, operating system, or computing
environment, now known or hereafter developed, can be readily
deployed, without departing from the tenets of the present
invention and all such implementation specific embodiments are
intended to fall within the broad scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *