PERSONAL TRAINING DEVICE USING GPS DATA

• US 20080096727A1
• Filed: 12/13/2007
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Moore, Ryan, Lovitt, John, Olivier, Tracy, Brunk, Scott, Fisher, Claudette, Lee, Wai, Downey, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,662,064 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• 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 2024/0071 Distinction between different activities, movements, or kind of sports performed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/20 Swimming
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/16 for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/10 together with the recording, indicating or registering of other data, e.g. of signs of identity
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/22 in connection with sports or games
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 : Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry

Abstract

A personal training device (10) adapted to assist a user in reaching performance goals, navigating, and accumulating performance statistics. In a preferred embodiment, the device broadly comprises a housing (10); an attachment mechanism (30); a GPS component (40); a user interface (50), including an input portion (52) and an output portion (54); a processor (60), including a timer (62) and a memory element (64); a data interface (70), including an input portion (72) and an output portion (74); an audio component (80); and a power supply (90). The device (10) is adapted to store goal information, monitor performance using GPS-derived data, and communicate performance information.

Claims

1. A method of aiding a user in reaching performance goals, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving course segment information from the user;

(b) receiving goal information from the user;

(c) storing the course segment information and the goal information;

(d) determining performance information using geographic location information, timing information, and the course segment information;

(e) comparing the performance information with the goal information; and

(f) communicating training information to the user, wherein the training information relates to both the goal information and the performance information.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(a) storing the performance information; and

(b) performing historical and statistical analyses on the performance information.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving performance threshold information from the user; and

(b) determining performance information using the performance threshold information.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein the performance threshold relates to a minimum speed.

5. The method as set forth in claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

(a) pausing a timer function when a user is at a speed lower than the performance threshold; and

(b) starting a timer function when a user is at a speed higher than the performance threshold.

6. A method of aiding a user in reaching performance goals, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving course segment information from the user;

(b) receiving goal information from the user;

(c) storing the course segment information and the goal information;

(d) creating a virtual competitor, wherein the virtual competitor has a virtual performance relating to the goal information;

(e) determining performance information using the course segment information;

(f) comparing the performance information with the virtual performance; and

(g) communicating training information to the user, wherein the training information relates to both the virtual performance and the performance information.

7. A method of aiding a user in reaching performance goals, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving an input from the user indicating course segment information;

(b) receiving goal information;

(c) storing the course segment information and the goal information;

(d) determining performance information using the course segment information;

(e) comparing the performance information with the goal information; and

(f) communicating training information to the user, wherein the training information relates to both the goal information and the performance information.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the training information includes a course segment transition.

9. The method as set forth in claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

(a) storing the performance information;

(b) performing historical and statistical analyses using the performance information and the course segment information; and

(c) communicating historical and statistical information to the user.

10. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the performance information is automatically stored at the completion of a course segment.