Methods and apparatus for virtual competition

• US 10,029,172 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2015
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Inventors: Galasso, Mario, Allinger, Wesley E., Haugen, David M., Kaswen, Robert David, Fitzsimmons, Mark Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Hylinski, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US14/804,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20150321084A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,100 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0009 Computerised real time comparison with previous movements or motion sequences of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0691 Maps, e.g. yardage maps or electronic maps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/06 with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movementsupport stands for bicycles A63B69/16; unicycles B62K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/14 Geo-tagging, e.g. for correlating route or track location data with specific information related to that specific location
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/00 Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/16 : for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 : using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/525 : Changing parameters of virtual cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6661 : for changing the position of the virtual camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/143 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 : Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 : Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 : Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0252 : based on events or environment, e.g. weather or festivals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 : based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0265 : Vehicular advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 : based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

A system configured to be coupled with a participant of an activity. The system comprises: a participant activity monitoring unit configured for monitoring a performance of the activity by the participant; an activity information module configured for storing performance information corresponding to the activity; and a participant performance correlator configured for delivering comparative performance data based on the monitored performance of the activity by the participant and the stored performance information.

Claims

1. A method for virtually competing in a performance of a biking activity, said method comprising:

recording performance information corresponding to said performance of said biking activity by a first user;

storing said performance information to a memory;

submitting at least a portion of said performance information, stored in said memory, to a networked digitally readable medium such that the stored performance information is available for comparison by other participants of said biking activity;

comparing said stored performance information corresponding to said performance of said biking activity by a first user with performance information corresponding to a performance of said biking activity by a second user;

generating a rating for said performance of said biking activity by said second user compared to said performance of said biking activity by said first user; and

generating feedback for said second user, said feedback corresponding to improved performance of said biking activity, said feedback comprising bicycle suspension information.

2. The method for virtually competing in a performance of a biking activity as recited in claim 1, wherein said generating a rating comprises:

determining a winner between said first user and said second user in said performance of said biking activity.

3. The method for virtually competing in a performance of a biking activity as recited in claim 1, wherein said first user and said second user are the same person.