U.S. patent application number 16/914678 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-29 for robotic training systems and methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is adidas AG. Invention is credited to Stephen John BLACK, Christian DIBENEDETTO.
Application Number | 20200338431 16/914678 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004942579 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200338431 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BLACK; Stephen John ; et
al. |
October 29, 2020 |
ROBOTIC TRAINING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Abstract
A robotic athletic training system may include a mobile robotic
platform, a sensor module associated with the mobile robotic
platform and configured to obtain data from an environment. The
system may include a drive system that propels the platform, as
well as a steering system that steers the platform. The system may
include a processor which receives data from the sensor module and
control the drive system or steering system to follow a path based
on the data received from the sensor module. A method may include
controlling a robotic athletic training system (or robotic training
platform) so that it moves at a velocity. The robotic athletic
training system may include a vision system configured to receive
data related to a surface and compare a baseline data of a desired
surface to the received data and adjusting a travel direction of
the robotic system in response to the comparison.
Inventors: |
BLACK; Stephen John;
(Portland, OR) ; DIBENEDETTO; Christian; (North
Plains, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
adidas AG |
Herzogenaurach |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004942579 |
Appl. No.: |
16/914678 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15277657 |
Sep 27, 2016 |
10722775 |
|
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16914678 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 24/0075 20130101;
A63B 2071/0625 20130101; A63B 24/0087 20130101; A63B 71/0686
20130101; A63B 21/0004 20130101; A63B 2220/806 20130101; A63B
69/0028 20130101; A63B 71/0622 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/06 20060101
A63B071/06; A63B 21/00 20060101 A63B021/00; A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00; A63B 69/00 20060101 A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A robotic athletic training system for assisting an individual
during an athletic activity in an environment, comprising: a mobile
robotic platform; a sensor module including an array of sensors
coupled to the mobile robotic platform and configured to obtain
data from the environment; a drive system configured to propel the
mobile robotic platform; a steering system configured to steer the
mobile robotic platform; a processor configured to receive data
from the sensor module and to control one of the drive system and
the steering system to follow a path based on the data, wherein the
data comprises surface data related to variation of a surface of
the environment; and a video camera configured to record video data
of the individual during the athletic activity and to transmit the
video data to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to
analyze a physiological characteristic of the individual based on
the video data.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the video camera is further
configured to record video data of the surface.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the video camera is further
configured to record video data of the environment.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a wireless
transceiver configured for communication with an electronic device
associated with the individual, wherein the transceiver is
configured to receive data from the electronic device and to
transmit the electronic device data to the processor, wherein the
processor is further configured to control one of the drive system
and the steering system based on the electronic device data, and
wherein the electronic device is configured to display video data
from the processor.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to
provide coaching to the individual in response to a variation in
the physiological characteristic.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the physiological characteristic
is a gait characteristic. The system of claim 1, wherein the
physiological characteristic comprises one of fatigue and
perspiration level.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a display system
configured to provide information about a workout program to the
individual during the athletic activity.
9. A robotic athletic training system for assisting an individual
during an athletic activity in an environment, comprising: a mobile
robotic platform; a sensor module; a drive system configured to
propel the mobile robotic platform; a steering system configured to
steer the mobile robotic platform; a processor configured to
receive data from the sensor module and to control one of the drive
system and the steering system to follow a path based on the data;
and a video camera configured to record video data of a path ahead
of the individual during the athletic activity and to transmit the
video data to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to
analyze a route traversed by the individual based on the video
data.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the video camera is further
configured to record first person-style view video data of the
route traversed.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein the video camera is further
configured to pan around the environment to record video data of
the environment.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the video camera is further
configured to pan via control by at least one of the individual or
a third party.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein the mobile robotic platform is
land based.
14. The system of claim 9, wherein the mobile robotic platform is
aerial based.
15. The system of claim 9, wherein the mobile robotic platform is
configured to work with a second mobile robotic platform.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the position of the second
mobile robotic platform is based upon position of the mobile
robotic platform.
17. A method of assisting an individual during an athletic activity
in an environment using a robotic athletic training system,
comprising: controlling the robotic athletic training system to
move the robotic athletic training system; receiving video data of
a path ahead of the individual during the athletic activity from a
video camera of the robotic athletic training system; analyzing the
path based on the video data of the path; and displaying
information on the path related to the athletic activity.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: providing coaching
feedback to the individual during the athletic activity.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: the robotic
athletic training system communicating with a second robotic
athletic training system, wherein the the robotic athletic training
system is land based, and wherein the second robotic athletic
training system is aerial based.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second the robotic athletic
training system records video data of the environment.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/277,657, filed Sep. 27, 2016, which is
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to
systems and methods for using robotics to assist an individual in
improving a workout. More particularly, robotic systems and methods
may be used as coaching tools, guides, and/or pace setting
systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Athletic activity is important to maintaining a healthy
lifestyle and is a source of entertainment for many people.
[0004] Individuals engaged in athletic activities have sought aids
to help with pacing and coaching during running workouts. Typical
methods include running on circular tracks of known lengths and
employing a stop watch to record intervals or calculate speed. When
a running event, such as a race, requires assistance to set a
particular pace, other runners may be enlisted to aid in the effort
and maintain a consistent pace. In a race environment these runners
may be called "rabbits" and are often paid to run only a portion of
the race to ensure a fast opening pace.
[0005] In more recent years runners have employed additional tools
in an effort to assist in tracking and coaching workouts. For
example, GPS and accelerometer based devices may be used to provide
speed and distance information. Fitness monitoring devices have
also been developed that are capable of recording information about
an individual's performance during an athletic activity using
sensors, and in some cases providing feedback about the
individual's performance. Some fitness monitoring devices employ
sensors attached to the individual's body, while other fitness
monitoring devices rely on sensors attached to a piece of athletic
equipment. Such sensors may be capable of measuring various
physical and/or physiological parameters associated with the
individual's physical activity.
[0006] An individual engaged in an athletic activity--or an
interested observer such as a coach or fan--may desire to receive
information about the athletic activity, including information
about the individual's performance. But with respect to providing
this information, existing athletic/fitness activity monitoring,
training, and coaching systems suffer from a number of drawbacks.
Many existing systems are limited in the amount of feedback or
coaching that they can give. Other systems may provide coaching
feedback during the activity, but in a way that distracts that
individual or interested observer from focusing on the ongoing
athletic activity itself And many existing systems do not provide
physical targets for individuals to react to, or an adequate
substitute for a training partner. These systems are not suitable
for monitoring in many real world athletic competitive or training
sessions. Finally, existing athletic activity monitoring, training,
and coaching systems often fail to provide the individual or
interested observer with quick, accurate, insightful information
that would enable them to easily compare past performances, develop
strategies for improving future performances, or visualize
performances.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] What is needed are athletic activity training, and coaching,
systems and methods having improved capabilities over existing
systems, thus offering individuals engaged in athletic activities
and other interested observers better tools to improve their
performance through coaching feedback. At least some of the
embodiments of the present invention satisfy the above needs and
provide further related advantages as will be made apparent by the
description that follows.
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a robotic
training system, for example, an athletic training system for
assisting an individual during an athletic activity in an
environment. The system may include a mobile robotic platform, a
sensor module including an array of optical sensors coupled to the
mobile robotic platform and configured to obtain sensor data from
the environment, a drive system configured to propel the mobile
robotic platform, a steering system configured to steer the mobile
robotic platform, and a processor. The processor may be configured
to receive the sensor data from the sensor module, characterize the
sensor data into one of edge data, color data, saturation data,
threshold data, or keypoint data, and to control one of the drive
system and the steering system to follow a path based on the
characterized data. The sensor data comprises data related to
variation of a surface of the environment.
[0009] Embodiments of the present invention also relate to a
robotic training system, for example, an athletic training system
for assisting an individual during an athletic activity in an
environment. The system may include a mobile robotic platform, a
sensor module including an array of sensors coupled to the mobile
robotic platform and configured to obtain data from the
environment, a drive system configured to propel the mobile robotic
platform, a steering system configured to steer the mobile robotic
platform, and a processor. The processor may be configured to
receive the data from the sensor module and to control one of the
drive system and the steering system to follow a path based on the
data. The data may include data related to variation of a surface
of the environment.
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention also relate to a method
of training an individual, for example, assisting an individual
during an athletic activity in an environment using a robotic
athletic training system. The method may include controlling the
robotic athletic training system with a processor of the robotic
athletic training system to move the robotic athletic training
system at a velocity, receiving data related to a surface of the
environment over which the robotic athletic training system moves
and on which the individual conducts their athletic activity with a
vision system of the robotic athletic training system, comparing
baseline possible surface characteristic data to the received
surface data with the processor of the robotic athletic training
system, and adjusting a travel direction of the robotic athletic
training system in response to the comparison.
[0011] Additional features of embodiments of the invention will be
set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. Both the foregoing general description and the following
detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended
to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES
[0012] The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein,
form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the
present invention. Together with the description, the figures
further serve to explain the principles of and to enable a person
skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.
[0013] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an individual using a robotic
training system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIGS. 2-3 are illustrations of selected robotic training
systems according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a sensor array according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a sensor module interacting with one
of an electronic device, a standalone device, a network, and a
server according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a software platform and
software modules, according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a sensor module according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a diagram of an electronic device according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of assisting an individual
during an athletic activity in an environment using a robotic
athletic training system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method of assisting an
individual during an athletic activity in an environment using a
robotic athletic training system according to an embodiment of the
present invention
[0022] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method of assisting an
individual during an athletic activity in an environment using a
robotic athletic training system according to an embodiment of the
present invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention will now be described in detail with
reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. References to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "an
example embodiment", "some embodiments", etc., indicate that the
embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure,
or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include
the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,
such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.
Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is
described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it
is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such
feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other
embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
[0024] The term "invention" or "present invention" as used herein
is a non-limiting term and is not intended to refer to any single
embodiment of the particular invention but encompasses all possible
embodiments as described in the application.
[0025] Various aspects of the present invention, or any parts or
functions thereof, may be implemented using hardware, software,
firmware, non-transitory tangible computer readable or computer
usable storage media having instructions stored thereon, or a
combination thereof, and may be implemented in one or more computer
systems or other processing systems.
[0026] The methods and systems discussed above are further
described below. The figures below may apply to both the method and
system embodiments of the invention.
[0027] In general, in some embodiments, systems and methods are
provided to enhance athletic training. The robotic platforms
described herein may be autonomous or semi-autonomous small-scale
vehicles. The systems and methods may, for example, follow the
lanes of a running track, and may be used as a virtual coach by
providing audio, visual display and haptic feedback to runners and
can instruct them to speed up or slow down to meet a specific goal
of the run. Additionally, they may be used to set pacing for a
runner, coach an individual through different workout intervals,
collect athletic data, and record video for gait and/or technique
analysis.
[0028] Advantageously, as opposed to audio or video simulations,
the robotic training systems and methods may give runners a
tangible target to focus their workouts. This may advantageously
improve the quality of feedback, for example, by having the robotic
training system gradually accelerate/decelerate. This is in
contrast to coaching being given as discrete, separate steps, in
order to avoid over instructing the individual (e.g., change pace
to 8 minutes per mile, prepare to run a 30 second interval at
maximum speed, etc.). Additionally, rather than telling the
individual to accelerate to a certain pace or zone, the robotic
training system may simply show them the pace through its motion.
In some embodiments, robotic training system may adjust to the
individual's ability (e.g., if the individual can't keep up the
robotic training system may adjust the pace or direction).
Advantageously, the individual engaged in athletic activity is able
to keep their eyes focused on the robotic training system in front
of them instead having to look down at a wrist band, phone, etc.,
which could dangerously divert their eyes from the route in front
of them. Additionally, being able to focus generally in front of
the individual, rather than raising an arm or looking down, avoids
introducing inefficient body positioning or form into the athletic
activity.
[0029] In addition, the robotic training system may provide for
more granular training/coaching. For example, the robotic training
system may change velocity at a more frequent interval, e.g., by
speeding up or slowing down gradually and having an individual
follow the pace. Disadvantageously, other coaching methods
attempting to verbally instruct an individual through granular or
widely varying velocity risk over-coaching and overwhelming the
individual.
[0030] Substantially real time feedback may also be provided by the
robotic training system. GPS and accelerometer systems may include
lags in reporting changes of speed. In contrast, the robotic
training system embodiments of the present invention may instead
utilize on board speed sensors (e.g., rotational speed sensors) and
may use, for example, visual sensors focused on the individual in
combination with the robotic training system's speed to adjust the
operation of the system.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, in some embodiments, robotic training
system 10 may include a mobile robotic platform 100, a sensor
module 102, a drive system 104 configured to propel mobile robotic
platform 100, a steering system 106 configured to steer the mobile
robotic platform 100, and a processor 110. Processor 110 may be
configured to receive data (e.g., sensor data) from the sensor
module and control the drive system 104 or steering system 106 to
follow a predetermined path based on the data received from the
sensor module 102. Robotic platform 100 may include a frame,
housing, etc., that may support or house various components of
system 10.
[0032] In some embodiments, a predetermined path may be, for
example, an athletic track 300, or a paint or chalk line 302
denoting a lane on track 300, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In some
embodiments, sensor module 102 may be associated with mobile
robotic platform 100 and configured to obtain data from an
environment.
[0033] In some embodiments, sensor module 102 may include an array
of sensors 108, as shown, for example, in FIG. 4. In some
embodiments, the sensors 108 may obtain data related to variation
of a surface, such as an athletic track. In some embodiments,
sensors 108 may be positioned in a generally linear arrangement,
such that sensors are parallel to one another and the direction of
a linear axis about which the sensors are aligned extends is
generally perpendicular to the sensed portion of the paint/chalk
line 302 during use. In other embodiments, the sensor array may be
arranged in a "V" formation as with a group of migratory birds, or
in a curved arrangement. In some embodiments, the sensors of the
array may be arranged in an offset fashion where they are not
parallel to one another.
[0034] The sensed surface variation data may be optical data, for
example, data related to the relative position or composition of
the paint or chalk line denoting a line on track 300. In some
embodiments, the sensed data (e.g., optical data) may be
characterized and/or quantified to identify certain features, such
as edge data, color data, saturation data, threshold data, keypoint
data, and the like. In some embodiments, these features may be
configured to control the drive or steering systems 104/106. In
some embodiments, the sensors transmit data to processor 110, with
the processor being further configured to adjust the drive system
104 or steering system 106 based on the data. For example, in some
embodiments the sensor array may include an array of sensors (e.g.,
infrared or "IR" sensors, photo-sensitive systems, CCD, CMOS,
etc.), and transmit data related to which sensor is positioned over
the paint or chalk line 302 denoting a lane on a track 300. Paint
of chalk line composition, line edge relative angles, or other
features may be detected. Speed or direction adjustments of the
drive system 104 or steering system 106 may vary according to how
many sensors sense the presence of the line, frequency of the frame
rate, resolution of the captured data, or the relative angle of the
edge of the line with respect to one or more sensors, for example.
In some embodiments, speed or direction adjustments may vary
according to the location of the sensor along the array that senses
the presence of the line. In some embodiments, speed or direction
adjustments may vary according to a predetermined threshold of time
a particular sensor senses the presence of the line. In some
embodiments, sensor position, time, or number of sensors sensing
the presence of the line may vary the speed and/or direction.
[0035] Existing athletic training systems lacking tangible
targets--or systems that rely on tangible targets that unable to
accurately sense track surface conditions and respond
accordingly--disadvantageously may not provide a suitable level of
natural, smooth feedback and coaching to the individual. In
contrast, the robotic training system 10 of the present invention
employing embodiments of sensor module 102 may provide natural,
smooth feedback and coaching based on real world track surface
conditions.
[0036] In some embodiments drive system 104 and/or steering system
106 may be, for example a wheeled system. In some embodiments,
these systems may be a track system, an aerial propulsion system, a
magnetic propulsion system, a rail system, a robotic leg system, or
other suitable drive system. In some embodiments, the drive system
104 and steering system 106 may be autonomous, or semi-autonomous.
Autonomous or semi-autonomous systems may have advantages over
known systems that rely on significant user or coach input or
control, which may be more cumbersome to control and may limit
their use. In some embodiments, robotic platform 100 may include a
frame configured to support athletic equipment or supplies (e.g.,
used as a type of robotic "pack mule"). For example, some
embodiments may be specifically configured to carry and/or dispense
water, food, or first aid equipment.
[0037] In some embodiments, additional sensor modules 102 may be
employed, either physically integrated with robotic platform 100 or
separate from robotic platform. In some embodiments, sensor modules
102 may include additional sensors 148, for example, physiological
sensors or the like.
[0038] In some embodiments, system 10 may be partially or wholly
solar powered, which may advantageously extend the range of the
device of limit the need for frequent charging or battery
replacement.
[0039] In some embodiments, system 10 may further include a
wireless transceiver 112 in communication with an electronic device
400 associated with an individual 500. In an embodiment, the
electronic device 400 may be, for example, a smart phone, a smart
watch, a heads-up-display device, other smart apparel, a tablet, or
any other type of suitable mobile computing device. In some
embodiments, transceiver 112 may receive data (e.g., electronic
device data, or input data) from electronic device 400,
transmitting that data to processor 110. In some embodiments,
processor 110 adjusts the drive system 104 or steering system 106
based on the data received from electronic device 400. In some
embodiments, the transceiver 112 receives data including programmed
instructions to control the drive and steering systems 104/106
according to a workout program. In this way, embodiments including
a communication with an electronic device 400 may advantageously
allow for a higher level of accuracy or customization in the
performance of the robotic training system 10. In some embodiments,
electronic device 400 may function as a sensor module 102.
[0040] In some embodiments, these programs could include
instructions to provide coaching feedback to individual 500 during
a workout, for example, a training run. In some embodiments,
individual 500 may receive coaching instruction, for example, or
encouragement. In some embodiments these programs may include a
simulated race, where robotic platform 100 may be programmed with
prior race data such that it moves according to a race pace and
individual 500 may attempt to beat the platform. In some
embodiments, these programs may include world record data, such
that individuals 500 may "compete" against current world records.
Transceiver 112 may be integral with robotic platform 100, or may
be a separate unit. Additional details of the software platform and
modules related to such programs along with programs and functions
of the components are further discussed herein.
[0041] Transceiver 112 may allow sensor module 102 to communicate,
for example, with other locally or remotely located robotic
platforms 100, or other standalone devices 600, via network 602, or
server 604, for example, as shown in FIG. 5. Communication between
these components may be one way communication or two way
communication.
[0042] In some embodiments, system 10 may include a user interface
configured to receive input data and transmit the data to processor
110 which may adjust the drive or steering systems 104/106 based on
the input data. In some embodiments, the user interface may be
displayed on electronic device 400, for example, or may be
integrated directly into robotic platform 100.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, for example, in some embodiments,
system 10 may include a video camera 114. Video camera 114 may be
configured to record an individual during training, for example. In
some embodiments, video camera 114 may transmit video data to
processor 110. In some embodiments, processor 110 is configured to
analyze physiological characteristics of the individual (e.g.,
analyze gait or foot strike characteristics, analyze other running
form characteristics, recognize onset of fatigue, recognize
perspiration levels, etc.). In some embodiments, video camera 114
may be configured to record the surface an individual is running
on, for example, or capture video of environmental surroundings. In
some embodiments, processor 110 may analyze, for example, gait
characteristics such as foot strike type (e.g. heel, midfoot,
forefoot, etc.), rate of pronation or supination, and degree of
pronation and supination. In other embodiments, video camera 114
may be configured to record the path ahead of the individual during
training so as to record a first person-style view of the route
traversed by the robotic training system 10 and the individual. In
other embodiments, the video camera 114 may pan around the
environment to record video of competitors, spectators, or other
items of interest. The panning may be autonomous or controlled by
the individual or a third party such as a coach.
[0044] In some embodiments, additional robotic platforms 100 may be
able to interact with one another based on sensor feedback. For
example, in some embodiments, a land based robotic platform 100 may
carry out training feedback functions to the individual 500, while
an aerial based robotic platform 100 may include video camera 114
and carry out aforementioned video functions, based upon position
of the land based robotic platform 100 or individual 500, for
example.
[0045] In some embodiments, system 10 may include an audio feedback
system 116. In some embodiments, audio feedback system 116 is
configured to provide information about a workout to an individual
during the workout. In some embodiments, audio feedback system 116
may provide audio coaching, for example to alert individual 500 to
a change in the workout, to accelerate/decelerate, alert individual
500 of other individuals approaching, or to alert of other robotic
platforms 100 (e.g., to urge slower runners to move to the right).
Combined audio and visual feedback may enhance the coaching of an
individual, as it more closely replicates one-on-one coaching
between individuals, rather than an individual following only audio
prompts. In some embodiments, audio feedback system 116 may be
configured to allow, for example, one-on-one coaching feedback from
an individual's coach, in addition to feedback from the system
10.
[0046] In some embodiments, system 10 may include a display system
118. Display system 118 may be, for example, a projector, display
screen, laser system, holographic display, paint/chalk display
system, or the like. In some embodiments, display system 118 is
configured to provide information about a workout to an individual
during the workout or other information or visual cues (e.g.,
display image on track or body of robotic platform 100, display a
line to follow, follow distance, or workout details). In some
embodiments, display system 118 may display visual cues, such as
time remaining, current speed, number of laps, etc. In some
embodiments, display system 118 may allow for video calling other
individuals (e.g., friends or competitors). In some embodiments,
display system 118 may include a heads up display (HUD), for
example, on a helmet, or electronic eyeglasses. In some
embodiments, the display system 118 may project information or
images on the surface of the track ahead of the individual and/or
ahead of the robotic training system 10, which may advantageously
allow the individual to visual receive information without having
to divert their field of view of otherwise break their form to view
a display on a smartphone, smart watch, or other portable display.
In some embodiments, a display mounted on the robotic training
system 10 itself may provide a similar benefit.
[0047] In some embodiments, system 10 may include an audio input
system 120. Audio input system 120 may be configured to accept
audio data and transmit the data to the processor to control system
10. In some embodiments, audio input system 120 may function as a
voice control/recognition system, and accept information such as
individual 500 speaking commands to speed up or slow down, provide
navigation, place an emergency call, place a call to a coach or
trainer, place a video call to other individuals (e.g., friends or
competitors), or post an update on a social media platform.
[0048] Some embodiments are directed to a method of training
including initiating programming data such that a robotic training
system moves at a predetermined velocity, wherein the robotic
training system includes a vision system configured to receive data
related to a surface, receiving data related to a surface,
comparing a baseline data of a desired surface to the received
data, and adjusting a travel direction of the robotic system in
response to the comparison. In some embodiments, the data received
related to a surface is optical data indicating the position of a
line on a track. Existing systems often do not account for surface
variation (e.g., if an individual begins running on a track but
transitions to a grass field). In contrast, embodiments of the
present invention may provide variation in coaching feedback
depending upon the surface upon which the athletic activity is
performed (e.g., a field, artificial turf, track, sidewalk,
etc.).
[0049] Turning to an exemplary method 2000 shown in FIG. 9, at step
2002, the method may include controlling a robotic athletic
training system with a processor of the robotic athletic training
system to move the robotic athletic training system at a velocity.
The method may then include receiving data related to a surface of
the environment over which the robotic athletic training system
moves and on which the individual conducts their athletic activity
with a vision system of the robotic athletic training system at
step 2004, comparing baseline possible surface characteristic data
to the received data related to the surface of the environment with
the processor of the robotic athletic training system at step 2006,
and adjusting a travel direction of the robotic athletic training
system in response to the comparison at step 2008.
[0050] Exemplary method 2100 shown at FIG. 10 may include each of
the steps shown in method 2000. Further, the method may include the
robotic training system providing coaching feedback to the
individual during the athletic activity at step 2010.
[0051] Exemplary method 2200 shown at FIG. 11 may include each of
the steps shown in methods 2000 and 2100. Additionally, the method
may include receiving physiological sensor data at the robotic
athletic training system about the individual from a sensor module
coupled to the individual during the athletic activity at step
2012, comparing baseline possible surface characteristic data to
the received data related to the surface of the environment with
the processor of the robotic athletic training system at step 2014,
and adjusting the velocity of the robotic athletic training system
in response to the physiological data comparison at step 2016.
Additionally, each of the methods may include an optional feedback
loop from either step back to any previous step.
[0052] It should be understood that the order of the operations
listed above is exemplary. The order of the operations may be
rearranged and some operations may be omitted.
[0053] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving
physiological sensor data at a robotic training system 10 about an
individual 500 from a sensor module associated with the individual
500 during an athletic activity engaged in by the individual. In
some embodiments, the method includes comparing the physiological
sensor data received to baseline physiological data using a
processor (for example processor 110), and adjusting the
programming data based on the comparison such that the velocity (or
direction) of the robotic training system is adjusted. In some
embodiments, the method further includes receiving personal
information about the individual prior to receiving the
physiological data. In some embodiments the personal information
includes one of prior injury information, height, weight, gender,
an athletic goal, intended athletic environment, intended athletic
duration, intended workout intensity.
[0054] The system or method may include receiving data about the
individual from a sensor module associated with the individual
during a first athletic activity engaged in by the individual. The
method may also include receiving data about the individual from
the sensor module associated with the individual during a second
athletic activity engaged in by the individual, and determining a
second characteristic based on the data related to the second
athletic activity. The method may also include comparing the data
received during the first/second athletic activities; and providing
a recommendation about a workout.
[0055] In some embodiments, the first and second data received may
include physiological characteristics (e.g. respiratory or cardiac
data). In some embodiments, the method may determine whether a
characteristic of the second data represents an improvement over
the first data. In some embodiments, the method may include
receiving data (e.g., motion data, physiological data, etc.) via
local wired or wireless connection, or via a wide area network. In
some embodiments, the method may include monitoring the motion of
an individual in substantially real-time during an athletic
activity. In some embodiments, a sensor module 102 may be provided
and configured to obtain data relating to a physiological parameter
of the individual 500 during an athletic activity.
[0056] The systems and methods may be effected through software
platform 1000 (which may be included in system 10), containing
software modules, as shown in FIG. 6, for example. In some
embodiments, fewer modules may be included, or additional modules
may be included. In some embodiments, modules may be removed or
added, for example through a network connection. Programming data
may include software platform 1000, for example, as shown in FIG.
6, and include various modules. Each of the components in sensor
module 102, for example, or electronic device 400, may feed the
modules data that the modules use to formulate a response. In some
embodiments programming data includes simulated race data such that
the robotic training system moves at a race pace. In some
embodiments, the programming data includes feedback data such that
the robotic training system provides coaching feedback to an
individual during a workout. In other embodiments, the systems and
methods may be effected through software platform 1000 in an
electronic device 400 in addition to or instead of in system
10.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 6, software platform 1000 may include
highlight reel module 1100, including programming to capture video
data from video camera 114 and compose a video montage or highlight
reel.
[0058] In some embodiments, software platform 1000 may include a
statistics module 1102. Statistics module 1102 may be programmed to
display relevant statistics regarding the workout such as distance,
time, pace, heart rate, physiological data, etc. In some
embodiments, statistics module 1102 may function as a workout
coach, by providing instructions or feedback through display system
118 or audio feedback system 116. In some embodiments, statistics
module 1102 may include a lap counter, for example, in order allow
an individual to run accurate distances in any lane.
[0059] In some embodiments, software platform 1000 may include a
proximity awareness module 1104. Proximity awareness module 1104
may use additional sensor data (or data from sensor module 102) to
guide robotic platform 100 around obstacles, for example, or to
maintain a safe distance from an individual 500 using system 10. In
some embodiments, proximity awareness module 1104 may notify an
individual running of other runners near the individual, or aware
of other competitor's status in a race event, for example. In some
embodiments, proximity awareness module 1104 may optimize a route,
for example, accounting for particular surfaces or geography, or
may analyze a route taken by an individual (e.g., how an individual
approaches corners, etc.). In some embodiments, proximity awareness
module 1104 may communicate with other robotic platforms 100. In
some embodiments, proximity awareness module 1104 may include, for
example a radar system or ultrasonic system with radar sensors or
ultrasonic sensors.
[0060] In some embodiments, software platform 1000 may include a
strategy module 1106. Strategy module 1106 may include instructions
to coach an individual for particular conditions (e.g., coaching a
runner to slow down while traveling uphill or into headwind and
accelerate for downhill or tailwind). Strategy module 1106 may use
data from sensor module 102, for example vision sensor data, or
additional sensor data, such as proximity sensor data. In some
embodiments, strategy module may coach the individual to adjust
their performance, for example adjusting their gait, stride, or
posture for different terrain (e.g., going uphill or downhill). In
some embodiments, data from video camera 114 may be used as an
input to strategy module 1106 and coaching may be dependent upon
video data analysis (e.g., fatigue or gait analysis).
[0061] In some embodiments, software platform 1000 may include a
safety module 1108. Safety module may, for example, coach an
individual running to slow down when approaching uneven or
dangerous surface conditions, or when physiological data reaches
unsafe levels. In some embodiments, safety module may control
driving or steering system 104/106 to avoid obstacles or brake if
communication or other signals are lost or are abnormal. In some
embodiments, safety module may leave individual 500 and dial an
emergency number if cellular coverage is unavailable. In some
embodiments, safety module 1108 may utilize data from sensor module
102 to maintain a predetermined position around individual 500, for
example ahead, behind, or beside individual 500. In some
embodiments, safety module 1108 calculates an acceptable radius
from individual 500 and adjusts based upon the path taken by
individual 500. In some embodiments, safety module 1108 may for
example, pick up litter after a race along a race path.
[0062] In some embodiments, software platform 1000 may include a
Fuel/Hydrate module 1110. Fuel/Hydrate module 1110 may utilize
workout data, data from sensor module 102, etc., to coach
individual 500 on proper food and water intake during a workout. In
some embodiments, robotic platform 1000 may include on board fluid
and food to provide to individual 500. In some embodiments,
Fuel/Hydrate module 1110 may include a mist function, for example,
if it is hot outside, or if individual 500 reaches a predetermined
temperature as measured by sensor module 102.
[0063] In some embodiments, software platform 1000 includes Charge
module 1112. Charge module 1112 may provide an energy source for
long races to charge a phone, for example as electronic device 400.
Charge module 1112 may activate, for example, Bluetooth charging
when electronic device 400 charge level falls below a predetermined
threshold. In this regard, charge module 1112 may provide
additional energy to allow for longer training or running sessions
of individual 500.
[0064] In some embodiments, software platform 1000 includes a Guide
module 1114. Guide module 1114 may utilize audio feedback system
116, for example, to serve as a guide for a blind individual 500.
In some embodiments, guide module 1114 may travel ahead of
individual 500 and "scout" the area, for example. In some
embodiments, guide module 1114 may include a light, for example, an
LED light that may be configured to turn on if the environment
sensed by sensor module 102 drops below a predetermined light level
threshold.
[0065] In some embodiments, software platform 1000 includes a
Babysitter module 1116. Babysitter module 1116 may configure
robotic platform such that it autonomously "walks" an individual's
500 baby around a predetermined path (e.g., around the block). In
some embodiments, babysitter module may "walk" an individual's
canine companion. In some embodiments, babysitter module 1116 may
stream video data from video camera 114 to electronic device 400
for monitoring by individual 500.
[0066] In some embodiments, software platform 1000 includes a light
module 1118 that may activate a light on robotic platform 100 to
illuminate a path for individual to follow.
[0067] In some embodiments, software platform 1000 includes vision
module 1120. Vision module 1120 may, for example, utilize video
camera 114, or sensor array 108, or additional sensors 148 to
achieve computer vision for system 10. In some embodiments, vision
module 1120 may be a sub-module of other modules.
[0068] In some embodiments, software platform 1000 may include a
Fetch module 1124. Fetch module 1124 may communicate with sensor
module 102, and be configured to find and retrieve athletic
equipment, for example, soccer balls, or golf balls.
[0069] In some embodiments, software platform 1000 includes a
weather module 1126. Weather module 1126 may communicate with
sensor module 102, for example, and record/report wind speed,
temperature, humidity, etc. This data may be fed back into other
modules, for example, to adjust workouts of individual based on
weather information.
[0070] In some embodiments, software platform 1000 includes referee
module 1128. Referee module 1128 may communicate with athletic
equipment, for example soccer balls and the like. In some
embodiments sensor module 102 may determine whether a soccer ball
is out of bounds for example, or travels past a goal line.
[0071] In some embodiments, software platform 1000 includes skills
module 1130. Skills module 1130 may configure robotic platform 100
to perform athletic maneuvers, for example, "kicking" soccer balls
for goalie/player training. In some embodiments, robotic platform
100 may be configured to travel in random or pseudorandom patterns,
and have individual 500 follow it. Skills module 1130 may include a
simulated race mode, such that individual 500 may attempt to follow
the robotic platform 100 as it leads them through a simulated race.
In some embodiments, skills module 1130 may include a World Record
mode. In the world record mode, the robotic platform 100 may lead
individual 500 at a world record pace for a particular distance. In
some embodiments, world record mode may configure robotic platform
100 to "replay" world record or personal record performances so the
runner can attempt to "hang on" as long as possible. For example,
drive system 104 may accelerate and decelerate at a specific pace,
e.g., the acceleration at the start and the "kick" at the end of
the race, for example.
[0072] In some embodiments, software platform 100 includes team
module 1132. Team module 1132 may provide feedback to multiple
individuals 500, or coordinate movement between.
[0073] In some embodiments, software platform 1000 includes a
social module 1134, for example, to integrate with social
networking platforms, or other communication systems such that an
individual may stream video of their workout. For example, social
module 1134 may enable individual 500 to video chat with other
individuals engaged in a workout. In some embodiments, social
module 1134 may allow for friends, family, or fans of an individual
engaged in a workout to communicate with the individual, for
example to cheer them on (e.g., transmit a song designed to
encourage or "pump up" individual 500, or phone a friend when
individual 500 is fatigued). In some embodiments, social module
1134 may include communicating to a communication hub for services,
(e.g., such as "OnStar").
[0074] In some embodiments, the individual 500 may use robotic
training system 10 to carry out the methods and systems of the
present invention. In some embodiments, the individual 500 may use
an electronic device 400 to carry out the methods and systems of
the present invention.
[0075] After launching the application software (e.g., software
platform 1000), the individual 500 may cause different GUI pages to
be provided by different modules by selecting their corresponding
icons using user input controls. Additional icons corresponding to
sub-modules or program wizards associated with a particular module
may pop up or otherwise be displayed to the individual 500 if the
individual 500 selects, swipes, or hovers over a module icon with a
cursor.
[0076] In some embodiments there may be an educational section. In
some embodiments this may include information general to health and
fitness, or more specialized information, such as information about
running or a particular athletic activity.
[0077] In some embodiments, the system may archive individual 500
information in an acceptable way to allow for more storage room on
the electronic device 400 or sensor module 102. Archival may
include hard drive storage on site, cloud based storage, server
storage, or any other acceptable storage medium.
[0078] Examples of athletic goals may include training for a race,
or other sporting event, improving individual fitness, simply enjoy
running, or the like. Frequency intervals may include for example
about 1-2 times per week, about 3-4 times per week, about 5-7 times
per week, or the individual doesn't know. Length intervals may
include for example about less than about 5 miles per week, about
5-10 miles per week, about 10-20 miles per week, greater than about
20 miles per week, or the individual doesn't know. Examples of
intended athletic terrain environments may include roads, track,
treadmill, trail, gym, or particular athletic fields designed for a
specific sport. These features may be integrated into software
platform 1000 and used to control robotic training system 10.
[0079] All modules may have one or more sub-modules which may be
navigated to and from by clicking, swiping, etc. In some
embodiments, the system may allow the individual 500 one of upload
photos, videos, medical records, and the like for incorporation
into the robotic training system and methods.
[0080] Pairing is a process used in computer networking that helps
set up an initial linkage between computing devices to allow
communications between them. Pairing may occur wirelessly via a
personal area network or local area network using, for example, the
Bluetooth wireless protocols. The software platform 1000 may prompt
the individual 500 to pair their electronic device 400 (or other
sensors) to a sensor module 102, and may display updates to the
individual 500 as to the status of the pairing.
[0081] Sensor modules 102 may have a generic registration name in
the system that identifies the sensor module as part of the system
10. Once paired, sensor modules may be identified by the name of
the individual using that sensor module. For example a sensor might
be registered as RSS0005 as a generic identification name, and the
broadcast signal would include this name. Once paired that sensor
module may change the broadcast signal to include a name
corresponding to the particular individual using that sensor
module, such as NAME01 or NAME02. Once the sensor modules 102 are
paired, registration data and personal information collected from
the individual 500 may be loaded onto the sensor modules.
[0082] In some embodiments, the system 10 or method may include
identifying whether a performance goal has been met. In some
embodiments, the method may include receiving personal information
about the individual prior to receiving the data about the
individual. The personal information may include information such
as their name, prior injury information, height, weight, gender,
shoe size, an athletic goal, intended athletic environment or
terrain, intended athletic activity duration, intended athletic
activity frequency, intended athletic activity distance,
quantitative or qualitative preferences about athletic equipment or
footwear (such as level of cushion, preference of weight, materials
and the like), and current athletic footwear.
[0083] In other embodiments, the method may include creating an
account for the individual. This account may include obtaining
personal information from the individual. The method may include
receiving motion data related to the individual from a sensor
module associated with the individual while the individual is
engaged in an athletic activity, or other data received from
robotic platform 100 and associated sensor modules 102. In some
embodiments, the method may include storing the personal
information, and characteristics in association with the account
for the individual.
[0084] In some embodiments, the electronic device 400 may be for
example one of a desktop computer, a PDA device, MP3 player, an
electronic watch having a sports operating mode, a workstation,
mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone, personal digital assistant,
tablet computer, or laptop), computer, server, compute cluster,
server farm, game console, set-top box, kiosk, embedded system, a
gym machine, dedicated electronic device, game console controller.
In some embodiments, electronic device 400 may include at least one
processor and memory.
[0085] Robotic training system 10 according to embodiments of the
present invention may be suitable for use by individuals 500 for
individual athletic activities may be suitable for use by
individuals 500 engaged in athletic activities such running or
walking.
[0086] In some embodiments of the present invention, the robotic
training system 10 may also include or interact with robotic
training system software platform 1000. Interface aspects of the
robotic training system or robotic training system software could
be, for example, presented to an individual 500 via a screen on the
individual's 500 electronic device 400. In some embodiments,
software platform 1000 may be remotely hosted, for example, on a
server. In some embodiments, an individual may download software
platform 1000 or various modules to a memory, for example, a flash
drive, which may be coupled to the robotic training system 10 to
program the robotic platform 100.
[0087] In some embodiments, additional sensors 148 may be utilized,
for example additional physiological sensors integrated within an
existing piece of athletic activity monitoring equipment such as,
for example, a heart rate monitoring device, a pedometer, and
accelerometer-based monitoring device, positioning system receiver
device (e.g. a GPS receiver), or other fitness monitoring
device.
[0088] Communication may also occur between the sensors, electronic
device, and/or a remote server 604 via a network 602, for example,
as shown in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the network is the
Internet. The Internet is a worldwide collection of servers,
routers, switches, and transmission lines that employ the Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) to communicate data. The network may also be
employed for communication between any two or more of the sensors,
the electronic device, the server, etc. In some embodiments of the
present invention, information is directly communicated between the
sensors or processor and the server via the network, thus bypassing
the electronic device.
[0089] A variety of information may be communicated between any of
the components that may transmit or receive data or information.
Such information may include, for example, performance parameter
data, device settings (including sensor settings), software, and
firmware.
[0090] Communication among the various elements of the present
invention may occur after the workout/athletic activity has been
completed or in substantially real-time during the workout/athletic
activity.
[0091] The electronic device 400 may serve a variety of purposes
including, for example, providing additional data processing,
providing instructions to robotic platform 100; providing
additional data storage, providing data visualization, providing
additional sensor capabilities, relaying information to a network
602, providing for the playback of music or videos, or the
like.
[0092] The electronic device 400 illustrated in the figures may not
be a dedicated electronic monitoring device; the electronic device
400 illustrated in the figures may be a mobile phone, dedicated
fitness monitor, smart watch, tablet computer, etc. In alternate
embodiments, it may be possible for the sensor module 102 itself to
be embodied by a mobile phone, or for the electronic device 400 to
be a mobile phone. Including an electronic device 400 in the
robotic training system 10, such as a mobile phone, may be
desirable as mobile phones are commonly carried by individuals 500,
even when engaging in athletic activities, and they are capable of
providing significant additional computing and communication power
at no additional cost to the individual 500.
[0093] In view of the above discussion, it is apparent that various
processing steps or other calculations recited herein may be
capable of being performed by various embodiments of the robotic
training system 10 disclosed herein, and are not necessarily
limited to being performed by the sensor module 102, depending on
the configuration of a particular embodiment of the present
invention. For example, any of the processing steps or other
calculations recited herein may be performed, in various
embodiments, by the sensor module 102, by a server computer 604, by
an electronic device 400, and/or any other network component, or by
more than one component.
[0094] Embodiments of the present invention may involve the use of
so-called "cloud computing." Cloud computing may include the
delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby
shared resources, software, and information are provided to
computers and other devices as a utility over a network (typically
the Internet). Cloud computing may entrust services (typically
centralized) with an individual's 500 data, software and
computation on a published application programming interface over a
network. End users may access cloud-based applications through a
web browser or a light weight desktop or mobile app while the
business software and data are stored on servers at a remote
location. Cloud application providers often strive to give the same
or better service and performance than if the software programs
were installed locally on end-user computers.
[0095] Embodiments of the present invention may incorporate
features of motion and performance monitoring systems. Exemplary
motion monitoring and performance systems are disclosed in commonly
owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/077,494, filed Mar. 31,
2011 (which published as U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2012/0254934),
and commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/797,361,
filed Mar. 12, 2013 (which published as U.S. Patent App. Pub. No.
2014/0266160), the entirety of each being incorporated herein by
reference thereto.
[0096] An overview of exemplary embodiments of components of the
robotic training system 10 of the present invention, including
exemplary sensor modules 102, has been provided above.
[0097] Turning to FIG. 7, a block diagram of components of a sensor
module 102 according to some embodiments of the present invention
is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor module 102 may
include processor 110 (processor 110 may also be a separate
component). Sensor module 102 may include a power source 140, a
memory 138, an acceleration sensor 142, a magnetic field sensor
146, and a transceiver 112 (transceiver 112 may be a separate
component). These components are operatively connected to one
another to carry out the functionality of the sensor module 102. In
other embodiments, one or more of these sensor module 102
components may be omitted, or one or more additional components may
be added. Processor 110 may be included in sensor module 102, or
may be a separate component. Processor 110 may be adapted to
implement application programs stored in the memory 138 of the
sensor module 102. The processor 110 may also be capable of
implementing analog or digital signal processing algorithms such as
raw data reduction and filtering. For example, processor 110 may be
configured to receive raw data from sensors and process such data
at the sensor module 102. The processor 110 is operatively
connected to the power source 140, the memory 138, the acceleration
sensor 142, the magnetic field sensor 146, and the transceiver
112.
[0098] In an embodiment, calibration of sensor module 102 is
performed using, for example, received GPS signals from a position
receiver 130. The received GPS signals can be used, for example, to
determine a distance that an individual runs or walks during a
workout. In other embodiments, calibration of sensor module 102 may
be prepared by using a counter (e.g., additional sensor 148) to
count revolutions of an axle of drive system 104, for example.
[0099] The power source 140 may be adapted to provide power to the
sensor module 102. In one embodiment, the power source 140 may be a
battery. The power source may be built into the sensor module 102
or removable from the sensor module 102, and may be rechargeable or
non-rechargeable. In some embodiments, the power source 140 may be
recharged by a cable attached to a charging source, such as a
universal serial bus ("USB") FireWire, Ethernet, Thunderbolt, or
headphone cable, attached to a personal computer. In another
embodiment, the power source 140 may be recharged by inductive
charging, wherein an electromagnetic field is used to transfer
energy from an inductive charger to the power source 140 when the
two are brought in close proximity, but need not be plugged into
one another via a cable. In some embodiment, a docking station may
be used to facilitate charging. In other embodiments, the sensor
module 102 may be repowered by replacing one power source 140 with
another power source 140. Power source 140 may additionally power
robotic platform 100, including drive and steering systems
104/106.
[0100] The memory 138 may be adapted to store application program
instructions and to store athletic activity data. In some
embodiments, the memory 138 may store application programs used to
implement aspects of the functionality of the retail enhancement
system 10 described herein. In one embodiment, the memory 138 may
store raw data, recorded data, and/or calculated data. In some
embodiments, as explained in further detail below, the memory 138
may act as a data storage buffer. The memory 138 may include both
read only memory and random access memory, and may further include
memory cards or other removable storage devices.
[0101] In some embodiments of the present invention, the memory 138
may store raw data, recorded data, and/or calculated data
permanently, while in other embodiments the memory 138 may only
store all or some data temporarily, such as in a buffer. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the memory 138, and/or a
buffer related thereto, may store data in memory locations of
predetermined size such that only a certain quantity of data may be
saved for a particular application of the present invention.
[0102] The acceleration sensor 116 may be adapted to measure the
acceleration of the sensor module 102. Accordingly, when the sensor
module 102 is physically coupled to robotic platform 100, the
acceleration sensor 116 may be capable of measuring the
acceleration of the object 104, including the acceleration due to
the earth's gravitational field, and may allow robotic platform to
move with predetermined acceleration patterns. In one embodiment,
the acceleration sensor 116 may include a tri-axial accelerometer
that is capable of measuring acceleration in three orthogonal
directions. In other embodiments one, two, three, or more separate
accelerometers may be used.
[0103] The magnetic field sensor 146 may be adapted to measure the
strength and direction of magnetic fields in the vicinity of the
sensor module 102. Accordingly, sensor module 102, utilizing the
magnetic field sensor 146, may be capable of measuring the strength
and direction of magnetic fields in the vicinity of the robotic
platform 100, including the earth's magnetic field. In one
embodiment, the magnetic field sensor 146 may be a vector
magnetometer. In other embodiments, the magnetic field sensor 146
may be a tri-axial magnetometer that is capable of measuring the
magnitude and direction of a resultant magnetic vector for the
total local magnetic field in three dimensions. In other
embodiments one, two, three, or more separate magnetometers may be
used.
[0104] In one embodiment of the present invention, the acceleration
sensor 116 and the magnetic field sensor 146 may be contained
within a single accelerometer-magnetometer module bearing model
number LSM303DLHC made by STMicroelectronics of Geneva,
Switzerland. In other embodiments, the sensor module 102 may
include only one of the acceleration sensor 116 and the magnetic
field sensor 146, and may omit the other if desired.
[0105] The transceiver 122 depicted in FIG. 6 may enable the sensor
module 102 to wirelessly communicate with other components of the
robotic training system 10, such as those described in further
detail below. In one embodiment, the sensor module 102 and the
other local components of the robotic training system 10 may
communicate over a personal area network or local area network
using, for example, one or more of the following protocols: ANT,
ANT+ by Dynastream Innovations, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy
Technology, BlueRobin, or suitable wireless personal or local area
network protocols. Other known communication protocols suitable for
a robotic training system 10 may also be used.
[0106] In one embodiment, the transceiver 122 is a low-power
transceiver. In some embodiments, the transceiver 122 may be a
two-way communication transceiver 122, while in other embodiments
the transceiver 122 may be a one-way transmitter or a one-way
receiver. Wireless communication between the sensor module 102 and
other components of the robotic training system 10 is described in
further detail below. In other embodiments, the sensor module 102
may be in wired communication with other components of the robotic
training system 10 that does not rely on transceiver 122.
[0107] In some embodiments of the present invention, a sensor
module 102 having components such as those depicted in FIG. 6 may
be physically coupled to robotic platform 100 during an athletic
activity conducted by an individual 500. Sensor module 102 may
further monitor changes in the spatial orientation of the
individual's 500 body or a piece of the individual's athletic
equipment or article of footwear, or to determine a correlation
between body or equipment movement data and a characteristic such
as gait characteristic. In some embodiments, sensor module 102, as
described, may be used to monitor the surface of a track, for
example, to follow chalk/paint line 302. In some embodiments,
additional sensors 148 not coupled to robotic platform 100 (e.g.,
other acceleration sensors, physiological sensors, etc.) may be
responsible for collecting the data necessary to carry out the
various monitoring calculations.
[0108] In some other embodiments, however, it may be desirable to
have additional sensors 148 (for example, such as speed sensors,
etc.) included within the sensor module 102, or operatively
connected to sensor module 102, or to have additional sensors 148
in communication with the sensor module 102. In some embodiments,
an additional sensor module 102 may be integrated within an
existing piece of athletic activity monitoring equipment possibly
having additional or different sensors such as, for example, a
heart rate monitoring device, a pedometer, and accelerometer-based
monitoring device, or other fitness monitoring device.
[0109] In addition to the acceleration sensor 116 and the magnetic
field sensor 146, other sensors that may be part of the sensor
module 102 or separate from but in communication with the sensor
module 102 may include sensors capable of measuring a variety of
athletic performance parameters. The term "performance parameters"
may include physical parameters and/or physiological parameters
associated with the individual's 500 athletic activity. Physical
parameters measured may include, but are not limited to, time,
distance, speed, pace, pedal count, wheel rotation count, rotation
generally, stride count, stride length, airtime, stride rate,
altitude, strain, impact force, jump force, force generally, and
jump height. Physiological parameters measured may include, but are
not limited to, heart rate, respiration rate, blood oxygen level,
blood lactate level, blood flow, hydration level, calories burned,
or body temperature.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 7, in some embodiments, sensor module 102
may incorporate other additional components. In some embodiments,
sensor module 102 may incorporate an angular momentum sensor 124, a
heart rate sensor 126, a temperature sensor 128, a position
receiver 130, a data port 132, and a timer 134 operatively
connected to one another to carry out the functionality of the
sensor module 102. In other embodiments, one or more of these
sensor module 102 components may be omitted, or one or more
additional components may be added.
[0111] In some embodiments, the transceiver 122 may be a two-way
communication transceiver 122, while in other embodiments the
transceiver 122 may be a one-way transmitter or a one-way
receiver.
[0112] The user interface 136 of the sensor module 102 may be used
by the individual 500 to interact with the sensor module 102. In
some embodiments, the user interface 136 may include one or more
input buttons, switches, or keys, including virtual buttons,
switches, or keys of a graphical user interface touch screen
surface. The function of each of these buttons, switches, or keys
may be determined based on an operating mode of the sensor module
102. In one embodiment, the user interface 136 may include a touch
pad, scroll pad and/or touch screen. In another embodiment, the
user interface 136 may include capacitance switches. In a further
embodiment, the user interface 136 may include voice-activated
controls.
[0113] In some embodiments, however, the sensor module 102 may not
include a user interface 136. In these embodiments, the sensor
module 102 may be capable of communicating with other components of
the robotic training system 10 which may themselves include user
interfaces, for example, electronic device 400.
[0114] The angular momentum sensor 124, which may be, for example,
a gyroscope, may be adapted to measure the angular momentum or
orientation of the sensor module 102. Accordingly, when the sensor
module 102 is physically coupled to robotic platform 100, the
angular momentum sensor 124 may be capable of measuring the angular
momentum or orientation of the object 104. In one embodiment, the
angular momentum sensor 124 may be a tri-axial gyroscope that is
capable of measuring angular rotation about three orthogonal axes.
In other embodiments one, two, three, or more separate gyroscopes
may be used. In some embodiments, the angular momentum sensor 124
may be used to calibrate measurements made by one or more of the
acceleration sensor 116 and the magnetic field sensor 146. This may
be particularly advantageous for an aerial robotic platform
100.
[0115] The heart rate sensor 125 may be adapted to measure an
individual's 500 heart rate. The heart rate sensor 125 may be
placed in contact with the individual's 500 skin, such as the skin
of the individual's chest, and secured with a strap. The heart rate
sensor 125 may be capable of reading the electrical activity the
individual's 500 heart.
[0116] The temperature sensor 128 may be, for example, a
thermometer, a thermistor, or a thermocouple that measures changes
in the temperature. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 128
may primarily be used for calibration other sensors of the robotic
training system 10, for example, the acceleration sensor 116 and
the magnetic field sensor 146.
[0117] In one embodiment, the position receiver 130 may be an
electronic satellite position receiver that is capable of
determining its location (i.e., longitude, latitude, and altitude)
using time signals transmitted along a line-of-sight by radio from
satellite position system satellites. Known satellite position
systems include the GPS system, the Galileo system, the BeiDou
system, and the GLONASS system. In another embodiment, the position
receiver 130 may be an antenna that is capable of communicating
with local or remote base stations or radio transmission
transceivers such that the location of the sensor module 102 may be
determined using radio signal triangulation or other similar
principles. In some embodiments, position receiver 130 data may
allow the sensor module 102 to detect information that may be used
to measure and/or calculate position waypoints, time, location,
distance traveled, speed, pace, or altitude.
[0118] The data port 132 may facilitate information transfer to and
from the sensor module 102 and may be, for example, a USB port. In
some exemplary embodiments, data port 132 can additionally or
alternatively facilitate power transfer to a power source, in order
to a charge power source.
[0119] The timer 134 may be a clock that is capable of tracking
absolute time and/or determining elapsed time. In some embodiments,
the timer 134 may be used to timestamp certain data records, such
that the time that certain data was measured or recorded may be
determined and various timestamps of various pieces of data may be
correlated with one another.
[0120] In some embodiments, the sensor module 102 may also include
a button and/or a display. The button may serve as the user
interface of the sensor module 102. The button may be capable of
turning the sensor module 102 on and off, toggling through various
display options, or serving a variety of other functions.
Alternatively, multiple buttons or no buttons may be provided. In
one embodiment, the display may be a relatively simple LED display
that is capable of conveying the status or battery life of the
sensor module 102 to an individual 500 with different color
combinations or flashing patterns, for example. In another
embodiment, the display may be a more advanced display that is
capable of displaying performance parameter information, feedback,
or other information to the individual 500, such as a segmented LCD
display. Alternatively, no button or display may be provided.
[0121] In other embodiments, the sensor module 102 may include
audio controls such as a speaker and/or microphone for audio
communication with an individual 500. These components may serve as
the user interface of the sensor module 102, and may be included in
audio input system 120. These audio controls may be capable of
turning the sensor module 102 on and off, toggling through various
display options, or serving a variety of other functions. In one
embodiment, the audio controls may be capable of conveying the
status or battery life of the sensor module 102 to an individual
500. In another embodiment, the audio controls may be capable of
outputting or receiving performance parameter information,
feedback, or other information to and from the individual 500. In
one embodiment, the audio controls may be capable of accepting
voice commands form the individual 500. In another embodiment, the
sensor module 102 may be capable of relaying audio information to
an individual wirelessly via another device, such as a pair of
headphones. Alternatively, audio controls may be provided.
[0122] Data obtained by the sensor module 102 may be processed in a
variety of ways to yield useful information about the motion of an
object 104 of interest during the activity. In some embodiments,
sensor module 102 data may be processed to monitor changes in the
spatial orientation of the individual's 500 body or a piece of the
individual's 500 athletic equipment. In other embodiment, sensor
module 102 data may be processed to by reference to a predetermined
correlation between movement data and a characteristic stored in a
data structure.
[0123] In some embodiments, sensor modules 102 are used to detect
changes in an individual's direction of motion. Sensor modules 102
according to the present invention can also be worn by individuals
and used to detect and/or track other motions such as, for example,
motions associated with push-ups, pull-ups, weightlifting, diving,
gymnastics, et cetera.
[0124] Turning to FIG. 8, a block diagram of electronic device 400
according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In an
embodiment, electronic device 400 corresponds to a mobile computing
device, mobile phone, desktop computer, tablet computer, dedicated
electronic device, or the like. As shown in FIG. 7, electronic
device 400 may include a processor 402, memory 406, a user input
control 408, a display 410, an audio unit 416, a transceiver 404, a
cellular transceiver 414, an optional satellite-based positioning
system receiver 412, a camera 418, and a battery 420.
[0125] Processor 402 is a processor capable of implementing
application programs or software platforms 1000 stored in memory
406. Processor 402 is also capable of implementing digital signal
processing algorithms. Processor 402 is coupled to memory 304, user
input control 408, display 410, audio unit 416, transceiver 404,
and may include a cellular transceiver 414.
[0126] Memory 406 is used to store application program instructions
(e.g., software platform 1000) and data. In an embodiment, memory
406 stores programs, for example, used to implement all of the
functionality of a typical electronic device. In an embodiment,
memory 406 includes both read only memory and random access
memory.
[0127] User input control 408 is used by an individual to interact
with electronic device 400. In an embodiment, user input control
408 includes a variety of input buttons and/or keys. The function
of each of these buttons and/or keys is typically determined based
on an operating mode of electronic device 400. In one embodiment,
user input control 408 includes a touch pad or scroll pad and/or
touch screen buttons.
[0128] Display 410 is used to display information to an individual.
In an embodiment, display 410 is a liquid crystal display.
[0129] Camera 418 is a small digital camera used to take digital
photos or video. In one embodiment, camera 418 is a CCD camera. In
another embodiment, camera 418 is a CMOS camera.
[0130] Audio unit 416 is used to process audio signals. In an
embodiment, voice signals picked up using a microphone are
converted to digital signals so that they can be operated upon, for
example, by processor 402. Audio unit 416 also converts, for
example, digital audio signals into amplified analog audio signals
that can be used to drive one or more speakers. In an embodiment,
audio unit 416 implements signal processing algorithms such as
those available from Dolby Laboratories, Inc., which enhance the
quality of music.
[0131] Transceiver 404 is a low-power transceiver used to
communicate with other components of robotic training system 10. In
an embodiment, transceiver 404 operates in an unlicensed frequency
band such as 2.4 GHz. Transceiver 404 is coupled to an antenna 314.
As used herein, the term transceiver means a combination of a
transmitter and a receiver. In an embodiment, the transmitter and
the receiver are integrated and form, for example, a part of an
intergraded circuit.
[0132] Cellular transceiver 414 may be used to send and receive,
for example, voice cellular telephone signals. Transceiver 414 can
also be used to exchange information with a computer network such
as, for example, the Internet. Cellular transceiver 414 is coupled
to an antenna 422. As used herein, the term cellular transceiver
means a combination of a cellular transmitter and a cellular
receiver. In an embodiment, the transmitter and the receiver are
integrated together into a single device.
[0133] In one embodiment, cellular transceiver 414 is used to send
data described herein to a location where it is analyzed, for
example, by a professional trainer. The professional trainer can
call or text message the individual and provide the individual
substantially real-time feedback based on the data. If the
individual wants to call the professional trainer, for example,
during a workout, the individual can place a call to the
professional trainer, for example, by tapping electronic device 400
to place a call to a stored telephone number. In one embodiment,
tapping electronic device 400 sends a text message to the
professional trainer requesting that the professional trainer call
the individual. These functions may also be included in sensor
module 102.
[0134] Battery 420 is used to provide power to operate the various
components of electronic device 400. In an embodiment, battery 420
is recharged periodically using a power adapter that plugs into a
typical household power outlet. Battery 420 can also be a
non-rechargeable battery.
[0135] In an embodiment, electronic device 400 also includes an
optional satellite-based positioning system (e.g., global
positioning system (GPS) or Galileo system) receiver 412. This
enables the electronic device to determine its location anywhere on
the earth. The satellite-based positioning system (e.g., GPS)
receiver 412 is coupled to an antenna 424. In an embodiment, GPS
receiver 412 enables the electronic device 400, for example, to
provide navigational instructions to a runner using the device. The
directions for a running route can be downloaded to the electronic
device prior to a run and stored in memory 406. In addition to
navigational instructions, attributes about the running route such
as, for example, whether the route has sidewalks, is on a trail, is
located within a safe neighborhood, et cetera, can also be
downloaded and viewed. GPS receiver 412 can be used, in an
embodiment, to track a route run by a runner. The route can be
saved in memory 304 and viewed by the runner after the run. The
route can also be shared with other runners, for example, by
posting the route on a computer/web server for down-loading by
other runners.
[0136] In an embodiment, GPS receiver 412 and information stored in
the memory of electronic device 400 (or information received, e.g.,
from the internet using cellular transceiver 414) are used to
provide navigational instructions, for example, to a runner. In an
embodiment, the runner can enter into electronic device 400 that he
or she would like to run five kilometers, for example, and the
electronic device will automatically select/map-out an appropriate
route and provide navigation instructions to the runner during the
run. In an embodiment, the runner can specify both a start point
and a stop point for the run. In an embodiment, only one point is
specified, which serves as both the start point and the stop point.
In an embodiment, the start and stop points are the point at which
the runner is standing (e.g., as determined by GPS receiver 412)
when the runner enters, for example, that he or she would like to
run five kilometers.
[0137] In an embodiment, electronic device 400 includes a radio.
The radio can be an AM only radio, an FM only radio, or both an AM
and FM radio. In an embodiment, the radio is controlled using soft
keys presented to an individual on display 410.
[0138] In one embodiment, electronic device 400 includes optional
sensors (not shown) for detecting selected weather related data
such as, for example, temperature, humidity, ultra-violet
radiation, and/or barometric pressure. This data can be used, for
example, to determine how an individual's performance is effected
by environmental factors.
[0139] In one embodiment, an electronic device according to the
present invention does not include a display. In this embodiment,
information such as, for example, performance and/or feedback
information is provided to an individual audibly during a workout,
e.g., through sensor module 102, or other audio feedback. The
information can be display to the individual, for example, after
the workout using a computer display once the information has been
transferred to the computer. In an embodiment, the information can
be transferred to a second processing device such as, for example,
a sports watch during the workout and displayed to the individual
during the workout on the display of the second processing
device.
[0140] In embodiments, an electronic device 400 according to the
present invention can be formed, for example, by attaching a dongle
(e.g., a small hardware device that protects software) to a
conventional phone, a music file player, a personal digital
assistant, et cetera. The dongle includes, for example,
downloadable software that implements some or all of the sport
functions described herein. In an embodiment, the software includes
a sport user interface written in the Java programming language. In
an embodiment, the software includes drivers, for example, that
enable the software to be used with any ultra low power Bluetooth
communications protocol compatible device. Other embodiments are
compatible with other communications protocol compatible
devices.
[0141] In an embodiment of the present invention, a electronic
device according to the present invention is a dedicated device
(rather than a device such as, for example, a phone, a music file
player, or a personal digital assistant) that implements the
robotic training functions as detailed herein.
[0142] In some embodiments, the sensor module 102 may then
determine that the movement of an individual 500 indicates the
occurrence of a movement to track. In one embodiment, the
determination that the movement of the individual 500 indicates the
occurrence of a movement to track occurs when a threshold data
value is met for a predetermined period of time. For example, the
sensor module 102 may determine that a movement of the individual
has resulted in a threshold acceleration occurring for a
predetermined period of time. This may initiate movement of the
robotic platform 100.
[0143] In some embodiments, remote processing may be used to
augment the processing discussed herein. The remote processing may
enable a sensor module 102 to wirelessly transmit data to a remote
computer for processing. Wireless communication with other elements
of the robotic training system 10 is generally described above. In
this way, the processing capabilities of the robotic training
system 10 may be enhanced by shifting certain processing and
analytical tasks to a remotely located computer, such as a server
computer, with greater computational abilities and, in some
embodiments, access to additional data, or other resources.
[0144] In some embodiments, the data received may be transmitted to
the remote computer during the athletic activity. In another
embodiment, the data received may be transmitted to the remote
computer after the athletic activity has been completed.
[0145] In some embodiments, the physiological data received may be
compared to data associated with the individual 500 for the present
athletic activity and data associated with the individual 500 from
a previous athletic activity. In some embodiments, the data may be
compared to data received during a different individual's 500
athletic activity.
[0146] By using the robotic training system 10 including the sensor
module 102 described above, embodiments of the present invention
may advantageously enable the individual 500 (or their coach,
teammate, a spectator, friends, competitors, etc.) to obtain this
or other information about the motion of the individual's 500 body
or the motion of a piece of the individual's 500 athletic equipment
during or after the course of the athletic activity.
[0147] While various embodiments of the present invention are
described in the context of the running, the present invention is
not so limited and may be applied in a variety of different sports
or athletic activities including, for example, sports of soccer
(i.e., football), basketball baseball, bowling, boxing, cricket,
cycling, football (i.e., American football), golf, hockey,
lacrosse, rowing, rugby, running, skateboarding, skiing, surfing,
swimming, table tennis, tennis, or volleyball, or during training
sessions related thereto.
[0148] For running, sensor module 102 embodiments such as those
described above may enable an individual 500, to determine, for
example, characteristics of a runner's motion. For example, a
sensor module 102 could be used to determine the speed, pace,
distance traversed, locations traversed, or to discriminate between
different surfaces (e.g., grass, street, or trail) and inclinations
(e.g., uphill, flat, or downhill). In some embodiments the sensor
module 102 may be mounted, for example, on a runner's torso, arm,
hand, leg, foot, or head, or on or in their article of footwear, or
integrated into robotic platform 100
[0149] In some embodiments of the present invention, the sensor
module 102 may be capable of compensating for inherent deficiencies
that may be present for various types of sensor contained within or
in communication with the sensor module 102. Most real world
sensors have limitations. For example, accelerometers,
magnetometers, and gyroscopes may have accuracy issues,
particularly when used at speeds of motion of the object 104 or
under other conditions that differ from their initial calibration
conditions.
[0150] In some embodiments of the present invention, the sensor
module 102 may communicate with other components of the robotic
training system 10 via wired or wireless technologies.
Communication between the sensor module 102 and other components of
the robotic training system 10 may be desirable for a variety of
reasons. For example, to the extent that the sensor module 102
records and stores athletic activity information, it may be useful
to transmit this information to another electronic device for
additional data processing, data visualization, sharing with
others, comparison to previously recorded athletic activity
information, or a variety of other purposes. As a further example,
to the extent that the sensor module 102 has insufficient
processing power, wide area network transmission capabilities,
sensor capabilities, or other capabilities, these capabilities can
be provided by other components of the robotic training system 10.
With this in mind, possible communications means are described
briefly below.
[0151] Wired communication between the sensor module 102 and an
electronic device 400 may be achieved, for example, by placing the
sensor module 102--or a piece of athletic equipment including the
sensor module 102--in a docking unit that is attached to the
electronic device 400 using a communications wire plugged into a
communications port of the electronic device 400. In another
embodiment, wired communication between the sensor module 102 and
the electronic device 400 may be achieved, for example, by
connecting a cable between the sensor module 102--or a piece of
athletic equipment including the sensor module 102--and the
computer or standalone device 600. The data port 132 of the sensor
module 102 and a communications port of the computer 600 may
include USB ports. The cable connecting the sensor module 102 and
the computer 600 may be a USB cable with suitable USB plugs
including, but not limited to, USB-A or USB-B regular, mini, or
micro plugs, or other suitable cable such as, for example, a
FireWire, Ethernet or Thunderbolt cable. As previously explained
above, in some embodiments, such cables could be used to facilitate
power transfer to a power source of the sensor module 102, in order
to charge the power source. Alternatively, the power source may be
recharged by inductive charging, or by using a docking station with
a charging base.
[0152] Wired connection to an electronic device 400 may be useful,
for example, to upload athletic activity information from the
sensor module 102 to the electronic device 400, or to download
application software updates or settings from the electronic device
400 to the sensor module 102.
[0153] Wireless communication between the sensor module 102--or a
piece of athletic equipment including the sensor module 102--and
the electronic device 400 may be achieved, for example, by way of a
wireless wide area network (such as, for example, the Internet), a
wireless local area network, or a wireless personal area network.
As is well known to those skilled in the art, there are a number of
known standard and proprietary protocols that are suitable for
implementing wireless area networks (e.g., TCP/IP, IEEE 802.16,
Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, ANT, ANT+ by Dynastream
Innovations, or BlueRobin). Accordingly, embodiments of the present
invention are not limited to using any particular protocol to
communicate between the sensor module 102 and the various elements
of the retail enhancement system 10 of the present invention.
[0154] In one embodiment, the sensor module 102--or a piece of
athletic equipment including the sensor module 102--may communicate
with a wireless wide area network communications system such as
that employed by mobile telephones. For example, a wireless wide
area network communication system may include a plurality of
geographically distributed communication towers and base station
systems. Communication towers may include one or more antennae
supporting long-range two-way radio frequency communication
wireless devices, such as sensor module 102. The radio frequency
communication between antennae and the sensor module 102 may
utilize radio frequency signals conforming to any known or future
developed wireless protocol, for example, CDMA, GSM, EDGE, 3G, 4G,
IEEE 802.x (e.g., IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX)), etc. The information
transmitted over-the-air by the base station systems and the
cellular communication towers to the sensor module 102 may be
further transmitted to or received from one or more additional
circuit-switched or packet-switched communication networks,
including, for example, the Internet.
[0155] As previously noted, in some embodiments of the present
invention, sensor module 102 may communicate with an electronic
device, such as a smart phone, that is also carried by the
individual 500 during the athletic activity.
[0156] In some embodiments of the present invention, for example,
as shown in FIG. 7, the electronic device 400 may take the form of
a mobile phone and may include at least a processor, a memory, user
input controls, a positioning system receiver, a wireless wide area
network (WWAN) transceiver, a visual display, and an audio unit. A
visual display in the form of a LCD screen, and user input controls
in the form of a physical keyboard and a scroll ball may be
present.
[0157] The memory of the electronic device 400 may be adapted to
store application programs, software platforms or modules, used to
implement aspects of the functionality of the robotic training
system 10 described herein. Alternatively, those of skill in the
art will understand that all or part of the software may be stored
on the server 604 and accessed over the network 602 and run
remotely as a mobile web application, or stored locally in robotic
platform 100, having a memory.
[0158] As discussed, robotic training system 10 may include a
number of different software modules capable of providing training
support or other robotic platform 100 interaction to individuals
500. Each module may support one or more graphical user interfaces
("GUIs") capable of being presented to an individual 500 using the
system 10.
[0159] A GUI may offer, for example, graphical elements, visual
indicators, and/or text to represent information and actions
available to the individual 500. The individual 500 may use a
physical input device, such as keyboard or scroll ball to interact
with the GUI of the system 10, for example, on electronic device
400. Alternatively, the individual 500 may use a touch screen to
interact directly with what is displayed. Various touch screens
such as, for example, resistive or capacitive touch screens, may be
employed.
[0160] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative or
additional software modules and sub-modules may be implemented in
order to provide or extend the described or additional
functionalities to the individual 500 using the electronic device
400. For example, the software configuration of software stored on
an electronic device 400 may include a device operating system,
which may be one of the commercially available mobile phone
operating systems such as, for example, BlackBerry OS, iPhone OS,
Windows Mobile, Symbian, LINUX, WebOS, or Android. The device
operating system may also have an associated application
programming interface through which middleware and application
programs may access the services of the operating system.
[0161] The various modules of the system 10 of the present
invention may support GUIs through which an individual 500 can
interact with the system 10 using the electronic device 400 just
prior to and/or during an activity. As will be appreciated by those
of skill in the art, in one embodiment the GUIs may be supported by
a mobile device application being run on the electronic device 400.
In another embodiment, the GUIs may appear as web pages provided by
the server 604 via a website that may be accessible to the
individual 500 over the network 602 using a web browser on their
electronic device 400. The GUIs may be considered to be part of the
methods or systems of the present invention.
[0162] In some embodiments, the robotic training system 10 may be
sold as a package, including a robotic platform 100, an electronic
device 400, sensor modules 102 for multiple individuals 500 (e.g.
runners), and a charger.
[0163] Robotic training system 10 may recognize and record repeat
usage of the robotic training system 10 over time, number of times
various individuals store their data into a profile and update that
data. The robotic training system 10 may also be able to integrate
with various social media platforms, allowing individuals to share
with their social network data regarding their gait
characteristics, their usage of the robotic training system 10.
[0164] Various aspects of the present invention, or any parts or
functions thereof, may be implemented using hardware, software,
firmware, tangible non-transitory computer readable or computer
usable storage media having instructions stored thereon, or a
combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more computer
systems or other processing systems.
[0165] As discussed, program products, methods, and systems for
providing robotic training services of the present invention can
include any software application executed by one or more electronic
devices 400. An electronic device 400 can be any type of computing
device having one or more processors. For example, the electronic
device 400 can be a workstation, mobile device (e.g., a mobile
phone, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, or laptop),
computer, server, compute cluster, server farm, game console,
set-top box, kiosk, embedded system, a gym machine, a retail system
or retail enhancement system or other device having at least one
processor and memory. Embodiments of the present invention may be
software executed by a processor, firmware, hardware or any
combination thereof in a computing device.
[0166] In this document, terms such as "computer program medium"
and "computer-usable medium" may be used to generally refer to
media such as a removable storage unit or a hard disk installed in
hard disk drive. Computer program medium and computer-usable medium
may also refer to memories, such as a main memory or a secondary
memory, which can be memory semiconductors (e.g., DRAMs, etc.).
These computer program products provide software to computer
systems of the present invention.
[0167] Software platform may include or accept computer programs
(also called computer control logic, programming data, etc.), which
may be stored on main memory and/or secondary memory. Computer
programs may also be received via a communications interface. Such
computer programs, when executed, may enable computer systems of
the present invention to implement embodiments described herein.
Where embodiments are implemented using software, the software can
be stored on a computer program product and loaded into a computer
system using, for example, a removable storage drive, an interface,
a hard drive, and/or communications interface.
[0168] Based on the description herein, a person skilled in the
relevant art will recognize that the computer programs, when
executed, can enable one or more processors to implement processes
described above, such as the steps in the methods illustrated by
the figures. In some embodiments, the one or more processors can be
part of a computing device incorporated in a clustered computing
environment or server farm. Further, in some embodiments, the
computing process performed by the clustered computing environment
may be carried out across multiple processors located at the same
or different locations.
[0169] Software of the present invention may be stored on any
computer-usable medium. Such software, when executed in one or more
data processing device, causes the data processing device to
operate as described herein. Embodiments of the invention employ
any computer-usable or -readable medium, known now or in the
future. Examples of computer-usable mediums include, but are not
limited to, primary storage devices (e.g., any type of random
access or read only memory), secondary storage devices (e.g., hard
drives, floppy disks, CD ROMS, ZIP disks, tapes, magnetic storage
devices, optical storage devices, MEMS, nanotechnological storage
devices, memory cards or other removable storage devices, etc.),
and communication mediums (e.g., wired and wireless communications
networks, local area networks, wide area networks, intranets,
etc.).
[0170] Embodiments have been described above with the aid of
functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of
specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of
these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined
herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries
can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships
thereof are appropriately performed.
[0171] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments of the
robotic training system described with reference to the figures
will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that
others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art,
readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific
embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from
the general concept of the present invention.
[0172] While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, they have been presented by way of example only,
and not limitation. It should be apparent that adaptations and
modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of
equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and
guidance presented herein. It therefore will be apparent to one
skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail can be
made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention. The elements of the
embodiments presented above are not necessarily mutually exclusive,
but may be interchanged to meet various needs as would be
appreciated by one of skill in the art.
[0173] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology
used herein is for the purpose of description and not of
limitation. The breadth and scope of the present invention should
not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments,
but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims
and their equivalents.
[0174] It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description
section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to
be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections
may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the
present invention as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are
not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims
in any way.
[0175] The present invention has been described above with the aid
of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of
specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of
these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined
herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries
can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships
thereof are appropriately performed.
[0176] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will
so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others
can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily
modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific
embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from
the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such
adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning
and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the
teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that
the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of
description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or
phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by
the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.
[0177] The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be
limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but
should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and
their equivalents.
[0178] The claims in the instant application are different than
those of the parent application or other related applications. The
Applicant therefore rescinds any disclaimer of claim scope made in
the parent application or any predecessor application in relation
to the instant application. The Examiner is therefore advised that
any such previous disclaimer and the cited references that it was
made to avoid, may need to be revisited. Further, the Examiner is
also reminded that any disclaimer made in the instant application
should not be read into or against the parent application.
* * * * *