System and method for pacing repetitive motion activities

• US 20070079691A1
• Filed: 10/06/2005
• Published: 04/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pacing Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Pacing Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Turner, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,825,319 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 84/612
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/40 Rhythm
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/081 Beat indicator, e.g. marks or flashing LEDs to indicate tempo or beat positions analysis tempo G10H2210/076; tempo or beat alterations G10H2210/375; rhythm pattern G10H2210/341
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/351 Environmental parameters, e.g. temperature, ambient light, atmospheric pressure, humidity, used as input for musical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/371 Vital parameter control, i.e. musical instrument control based on body signals, e.g. brainwaves, pulsation, temperature, perspiration; biometric information signals from body positions or movements G10H2220/321
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/105 User profile, i.e. data about the user, e.g. for user settings or user preferences
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/131 Library retrieval, i.e. searching a database or selecting a specific musical piece, segment, pattern, rule or parameter set

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method that allows users to customize audible and visible signals, such as music or video, to maintain a pre-determined or specified pace or to achieve a new pace in repetitive motion activities such as, but not limited to, running, walking, swimming, cycling, aerobics, and the like. Other applications of the system and method include, but are not limited to, enhancing the results of medical rehabilitation programs, physical therapy, weight loss programs, disc jockey services, and industries or manufacturing settings where repetitive motion is common and where audible cues designed to help users maintain a consistent pace are useful.

Claims

1. A repetitive motion pacing system comprising:

a user profile database containing a plurality of user provided parameters, at least one of the user provided parameters being a target tempo value than is substantially the same as an actual tempo of a repetitive motion activity to be performed by at least one user;

a storage device containing at least one data file having information for producing a tempo that is sensible to the at least one user as the at least one user performs the repetitive motion activity;

a data storage and playback device adapted to producing the sensible tempo; and

a communications network for receiving the at least one data file and distributing the at least one data file to the data storage and playback device.

2. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, further comprising an ALI device for automatically determining a geographic location of the data storage and playback device.

3. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 2, wherein the ALI device uses GPS data to determine the geographic location.

4. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 2, further comprising data file selection means for automatically selecting a plurality of data files based on the geographic location of the data storage and playback device and for distributing the plurality of data files to the data storage and playback device.

5. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, wherein the sensible tempo is in the form of audible signals.

6. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, wherein the sensible tempo is in the form of visible signals.

7. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, further comprising tempo computing means for determining the target tempo.

8. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 7, the tempo computing means comprising computing a number of repetitions occurring over a measured time period.

9. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, the storage device comprising a plurality of data files, each of the plurality of data files comprising information for producing music.

10. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, the storage device comprising a plurality of data files, each of the plurality of data files comprising information for producing video or audio-video images.

11. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, further comprising a software subsystem for modifying the tempo information contained in the at least one data file.

12. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 11, wherein the software subsystem is used to modify the tempo information in the at least one data file so that the modified tempo is substantially the same as the target tempo.

13. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 11, the software subsystem comprising a software application downloaded to a client computer and/or the data storage and playback device for use in modifying the at least one data file.

14. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, wherein the repetitive motion activity is one of a sports activity, a cardiac rehabilitation activity, a general physical rehabilitation activity, a weight loss program activity, and a work-related activity.

15. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, the data storage and playback device comprising:

an ALI component for determining the location of the data storage and playback device;

a signal output component for outputting a sensible signal from the data storage and playback device;

an input/output component for entering commands into and receiving information from the data storage and playback device;

a data storage component for storing the at least one data file; and

a communications component for sending and receiving information to and from the data storage and playback device.

16. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 15, wherein the input/output component allows the at least one user to select one or more of the at least one data file.

17. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, wherein the user profile database and the storage device are each connected to a server subsystem and wherein the communications network is the Internet.

18. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, wherein the user profile database contains a plurality of user profiles, wherein each of the plurality of user profiles is associated with one of a plurality of users.

19. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, wherein the at least one user is or are part of a plurality of users.

20. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, wherein the data storage and playback device, the user profile database, the storage device, and the communications network are interconnected by one of an electrical, optical, or electro-optical connection.

21. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, wherein the actual tempo is associated with a repetitive motion activity device and wherein the actual tempo of the repetitive motion activity device is automatically adjusted to match the target tempo.

22. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 21, wherein the repetitive motion activity device is one of a treadmill, stair master, elliptical, and weight lifting machine.

68. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, wherein the data file is a digital music file.

69. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 68, wherein the digital music file includes computer readable information about the tempo of the music.

70. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, further comprising an ALI device for outputting information useful in computing the actual or target tempo.

71. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, further comprising a pedometer that is attached to the at least one user and operatively connected to the data storage and playback device for outputting information useful in computing the actual or target tempo.

72. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises at least two networked peer-to-peer client computers each of which is adapted to sending or receiving the at least one data file to the other.

23. A repetitive motion pacing system comprising:

a user profile database containing a plurality of user provided parameters, at least one of the user provided parameters being a target tempo value that is substantially the same as an actual tempo of a repetitive motion activity to be performed by at least one user;

a storage device containing a plurality of audio data files, each of which includes information for producing an audible tempo that is sensible to the at least one user as the at least one user performs the repetitive motion activity;

a data storage and playback device adapted to producing the sensible tempo, the data storage and playback device comprising an ALI device for automatically determining a geographic location of the data storage and playback device; and

a communications network for receiving the plurality of audio data files and distributing the plurality of audio data files to the data storage and playback device.

24. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 23, further comprising data file selection means for automatically selecting at least one of the plurality of audio data files based on the geographic location of the data storage and playback device and for distributing the at least one of the plurality of audio data files to the data storage and playback device.

25. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 23, wherein the target tempo is a value equal to a number of measured repetitions occurring over a measured time period.

26. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 23, further comprising a software subsystem for modifying the tempo information contained in the plurality of audio data files.

27. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 26, wherein the software subsystem is used to modify the tempo information in the plurality of audio data files so that the modified tempo is substantially the same as the target tempo.

28. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 26, wherein the software subsystem includes a software application downloaded to a client computer and/or the data storage and playback device for use in modifying the at least one data file.

29. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 23, wherein the at least one user is or are part of a plurality of users.

30. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 23, wherein the system is part of a repetitive motion activity device.

31. A repetitive motion pacing system comprising:

a user profile database containing a plurality of user provided parameters, at least one of the user provided parameters being a target tempo value that is substantially the same as an actual tempo of a repetitive motion activity to be performed by at least one user;

a storage device containing a plurality of data files, each of which includes information for producing an audible tempo that is sensible to the at least user as the at least one user performs the repetitive motion activity;

a data storage and playback device adapted to producing the sensible tempo;

a software subsystem for modifying the tempo information contained in the plurality of audio data files; and

a communications network for receiving the plurality of data files and distributing the plurality of data files to the data storage and playback device.

32. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 31, further comprising an ALI device for automatically determining a geographic location of the data storage and playback device.

33. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 32, further comprising data file selection means for automatically selecting at least one of the plurality of data files based on the geographic location of the data storage and playback device and for distributing the at least one of the plurality of audio data files to the data storage and playback device.

34. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 31, wherein the software subsystem is used to modify the tempo information in the plurality of data files so that the modified tempo is substantially the same as the target tempo.

35. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 31, wherein the at least one user is or are part of a plurality of users.

36. The repetitive motion pacing system of claim 31, further comprising a repetitive motion activity device selected from the group consisting of a treadmill, a stair master, an elliptical, and a weight lifting machine.

37. A repetitive motion pacing device for at least one user performing a repetitive motion activity comprising:

a movement sensing device for determining the location movement of the pacing device;

a data storage component for storing at least one data file having information about a target tempo, the target tempo being substantially the same as an actual tempo of the at least one user performing the repetitive motion activity;

a communications component for sending and receiving information to and from the pacing device; and

a signal output component for outputting a signal from the pacing device, the signal comprising target tempo information that is sensible to the at least one user.

38. The repetitive motion pacing device of claim 37, wherein the signal is audible to the at least one user.

39. The repetitive motion pacing device of claim 37, wherein the signal is audible, visible, or audible and visible to the at least one user.

40. The repetitive motion pacing device of claim 37, wherein the pacing device is portable.

41. The repetitive motion pacing device of claim 77, wherein the ALI component uses GPS data to compute a geographic location of the pacing device.

77. The repetitive motion pacing device of claim 37, wherein the movement sensing device is an ALI device.

42. A repetitive motion pacing device for at least one user performing a repetitive motion activity comprising:

an ALI component for determining the location of the pacing device;

a data storage component for storing at least one music data file having a beat per minute tempo that is substantially the same as an actual tempo of the at least one user performing the repetitive motion activity;

a communications component for sending and receiving information to and from the pacing device; and

a signal output component for outputting music from the pacing device that is sensible to the at least one user.

43. The repetitive motion pacing device of claim 42, wherein the pacing device is portable.

44. The repetitive motion pacing device of claim 42, wherein the ALI component uses GPS data to compute a geographic location of the pacing device.

45. A method for pacing at least one user engaged in a repetitive motion activity comprising the steps of:

receiving in a user profile database at least one user provided parameter including a target tempo value that is substantially the same as an actual tempo of a repetitive motion activity to be performed by the at least one user;

receiving in a storage device at least one data file, the at least on date file comprising tempo information;

comparing the target tempo value to the tempo information to generate an output signal that is sensible to the at least one user as the at least one user performs the repetitive motion activity; and

providing the output signal via a communications network to a data storage and playback device.

46. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, further comprising the step of modifying the tempo information so it is substantially the same as the target tempo or the actual tempo.

47. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, further comprising the step of modifying the at least one data file to add a second tempo information to the file.

48. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 47, wherein the added tempo information is one of a musical tone, a percussion beat, and a spoken word.

49. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, further comprising the step of determining the location of the data storage and playback device.

50. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 49, further comprising the steps of:

comparing the location of the data storage and playback device to a database of location points, the database of location points comprising a geographic tempo value associated with each location point; and

comparing the geographic tempo values to the tempo information.

51. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 49, further comprising the step of altering the output signal based on the location of the data storage and playback device.

52. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, wherein the user profile database is part of a server connected to the communications network.

53. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, wherein the storage device contains a plurality of music data files.

54. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, wherein the step of receiving in a user profile database at least one user provided parameter comprises:

receiving in a client electronic device a markup language file;

entering requested information for each of the at least one user provided parameter; and

transmitting the requested information via the communication network to a server associated with the user profile database.

55. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, further comprising the step of using the data storage and playback device to reproduce the output signal and generate an audible sound that is sensible by the user.

56. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, wherein the at least one user is or are part of a plurality of users.

57. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, wherein the repetitive motion activity is one of a sports activity, a cardiac rehabilitation activity, a general physical rehabilitation activity, a weight loss program activity, and a work-related activity.

58. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, wherein the actual tempo is associated with a repetitive motion activity device and wherein the actual tempo of the repetitive motion activity device is automatically adjusted to match the target tempo.

59. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 58, wherein the repetitive motion activity device is one of a treadmill, stair master, elliptical, and weight lifting machine.

60. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, further comprising the step of displaying on a video display images representing an actual route traversed by the user.

73. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, wherein the data file is a digital music file.

74. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 73, wherein the digital music file includes computer readable information about the tempo of the music.

75. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, further comprising the step of outputting from an ALI device associated with the data storage and playback device information useful in computing the actual or target tempo.

76. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, further comprising outputting from a pedometer that is attached to the at least one user and operatively connected to the data storage and playback device information useful in computing the actual tempo or target tempo.

83. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, further comprising the step of determining the target tempo by computing a number of repetitions occurring over a measured time period.

84. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 45, further comprising the step of modifying the tempo information contained in the at least one data file so that it is substantially the same as the target tempo.

61. A method for pacing at least one user engaged in a repetitive motion activity comprising the steps of:

receiving in a user profile database at least one user provided parameter including a target tempo value that is substantially the same as an actual tempo of a repetitive motion activity to be performed by the at least one user;

receiving in a storage device at least one data file having information for producing a tempo that is sensible to the at least one user as the at least one user performs the repetitive motion activity;

comparing the target tempo value to the tempo information in the at least one data file to generate an output signal;

modifying the tempo information of the at least one data file so it is substantially the same as the target tempo; and

providing the output signal via a communications network to a data storage and playback device.

62. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 61, further comprising the step of determining the location of the data storage and playback device.

63. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 62, further comprising the steps of:

comparing the location of the data storage and playback device to a database of location points, wherein each of the database of location points includes a corresponding geographic tempo value; and

comparing the geographic tempo values to the tempo information in the at least one data file.

64. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 61, wherein the storage device contains a plurality of music data files.

65. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 61, further comprising the step of using the data storage and playback device to play the music data files and generate an audible sound that is sensible by the at least one user.

66. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 61, wherein the at least one user is or are part of a plurality of users.

67. The method for pacing at least one user according to claim 61, further comprising the step of displaying on a video display associated with a repetitive motion activity device images representing an actual route traversed by the user.

78. A method for pacing an individual performing a repetitive motion activity comprising the steps of:

identifying a target tempo for the repetitive motion activity, wherein the target tempo is the same as, less than, or greater than the actual tempo of the repetitive motion activity;

selecting from a data storage device at least one data file that is adapted to outputting a signal, the data file including information about the tempo of the outputted signal that is substantially the same as the target tempo;

receiving at a pacing device the at least one date file; and

outputting the signal from the pacing device.

79. The method for pacing an individual according to claim 78, wherein the pacing device is portable.

80. The method for pacing an individual according to claim 78, further comprising the steps of:

determining the movement of the pacing device associated with the individual; and

selecting the at least one file based on the movement of the pacing device.

81. The method for pacing an individual according to claim 80, wherein the step of determining the movement comprises using an ALI device for outputting information useful in computing the actual or target tempo.

82. The method for pacing an individual according to claim 80, wherein the step of determining the movement comprises using a pedometer that is attached to the individual and operatively connected to the pacing device for outputting information useful in computing the actual or target tempo.

85. A method for transferring data between a storage and playback device and a server containing at least one audio file having information for producing a tempo that is sensible to at least one user as the at least one user performs a repetitive motion activity, the storage and playback device being capable of storing and playing the information in the audio file, the method comprising:

at the server, designating at least one audio file for downloading to the storage and payback device;

at the server, generating a metadata tempo tag for each designated audio file, each tempo tag indicating the tempo of the audio file;

at the server, causing to be delivered to, or providing to, the storage and playback device the audio file including the tempo tag.

86. The method for transferring data as recited in claim 85 further comprising:

at the storage and playback device, receiving the audio file including the tempo tag from the server; and

at the storage and playback device, storing the audio file including the tempo tag for future use.

87. The method for transferring data as recited in claim 85 further comprising:

designating a plurality of audio files for downloading to the storage and payback device, the plurality of audio file containing an original version of the audio file and at least one new version of the file having a different tempo;

at the server, causing to be delivered to, or providing to, the storage and playback device the plurality of audio files including a tempo tag associated with each audio file.