PORTABLE APPARATUS WITH PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND AUDIO ENTERTAINMENT FEATURES

• US 20080143547A1
• Filed: 02/08/2008
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Conrad, John H., Burrell, Jonathan C., Lovitt, John H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,783,454 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• 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 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers

Abstract

A portable apparatus (10) providing both substantially automated performance monitoring and audio entertainment features. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus (10) broadly comprises a portable housing (12); an attachment mechanism (14); a GPS component (16); a heart rate monitor component (17); an audio component (18); a user interface (20); a processor (26); and a power supply (30). The housing (12) may include a headset (1112a) wherein the GPS component (16) is located, and a second housing component (1112b) wherein the processor (26) is located, wherein the GPS component (16) communicates with the processor (26) in a wireless manner. The apparatus (10) is adapted to determine a number of laps or a distance, to provide an elapsed time, and to determine a speed.

Claims

1. A wearable apparatus, comprising:

a location determining component adapted to determine a geographic location of the portable apparatus;

an interface including an output portion adapted to communicate an output; and

a processor adapted to—

determine the completion of a lap utilizing the current geographic location determined by the location determining component,

calculate speed information for the completed lap,

compare the speed information with target speed information, and

control the output portion to output an indication of the completed lap and the speed comparison.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface includes an input portion adapted to receive an input corresponding to the target speed information.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface includes an input portion adapted to receive an input corresponding to a starting geographic location and the processor determines the completion of the lap by utilizing both the current geographic location and the starting geographic location.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the calculated speed information is selected from the group consisting of average speed, instantaneous speed, and combinations thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, if the comparison of the speed information with the target speed information determines that the speed information is less than the target speed information, then the output portion outputs a first indication of the speed comparison.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, if the comparison of the speed information with the target speed information determines that the speed information is greater than the target speed information, then the output portion outputs a second indication of the speed comparison.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further including an audio component adapted to provide audio entertainment.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a portable lightweight housing adapted to protectively house at least the location determining component, the processor, and the interface.

9. A wearable apparatus, comprising:

a location determining component adapted to determine a geographic location of the portable apparatus;

an interface including an output portion adapted to communicate an output and an input portion adapted to receive inputs corresponding to a starting geographic location and target speed information;

a processor adapted to—

determine the completion of a lap utilizing the current geographic location determined by the location determining component and the starting geographic location,

calculate speed information for the completed lap,

compare the speed information with the target speed information, and

control the output portion to output an indication of the completed lap and the speed comparison; and

a portable lightweight housing adapted to protectively house at least the location determining component, the processor, and the interface.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the calculated speed information is selected from the group consisting of average speed, instantaneous speed, and combinations thereof.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein, if the comparison of the speed information with the target speed information determines that the speed information is less than the target speed information, then the output portion outputs a first indication of the speed comparison.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein, if the comparison of the speed information with the target speed information determines that the speed information is greater than the target speed information, then the output portion outputs a second indication of the speed comparison.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, further including an audio component adapted to provide audio entertainment.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the location determining component determines the current geographic location utilizing received Global Position System signals.

15. A method for monitoring the performance of a user, the method comprising:

determining a geographic location of the user utilizing received Global Positioning System signals;

determining the completion of a lap utilizing the determined current geographic location;

calculating speed information for the completed lap;

comparing the speed information with target speed information; and

providing to the user an indication of the completed lap and the speed comparison.

16. The method of claim 15, further including receiving an input corresponding to the target speed information.

17. The method of claim 15, further including receiving an input corresponding to a starting geographic location and determining the completion of the lap by utilizing both the current geographic location and the starting geographic location.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the calculated speed information is selected from the group consisting of average speed, instantaneous speed, and combinations thereof.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein, if the comparison of the speed information with the target speed information determines that the speed information is less than the target speed information, then providing a first indication of the speed comparison to the user.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein, if the comparison of the speed information with the target speed information determines that the speed information is greater than the target speed information, then providing a second indication of the speed comparison to the user.