Methods, systems, and products for monitoring athletic performance

• US 20080182723A1
• Filed: 01/29/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: At&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Aaron, Jeffrey A., Ruckart, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,841,966 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0009 Computerised real time comparison with previous movements or motion sequences of the user
• 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 2071/0661 arranged on the user
• 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 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/20 Swimming
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• 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 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02

Abstract

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for monitoring athletic performance. Information is acquired that indicates a device is in movement. The movement is differentiated from transportation. When the movement indicates transportation, then the movement is excluded as unrelated to the athletic performance.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring athletic performance, comprising:

acquiring information indicating that a device is in movement;

differentiating the movement from transportation; and

when the movement indicates transportation, then excluding the movement as unrelated to the athletic performance.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising comparing an acceleration associated with the movement to a threshold value, and when the acceleration fails to satisfy the threshold value, then the movement is transportation and excluded as unrelated to the athletic performance.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein when the acceleration satisfies the threshold value, then acquiring a distance traversed during the movement.

4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising computing an amount of work expended during the movement and adding the amount of work expended to the athletic performance.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising acquiring a distance traversed during the movement and a velocity as the distance is traversed.

6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising comparing the velocity to a threshold velocity value.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein when the velocity exceeds the threshold velocity value, then the velocity indicates transportation and the distance is excluded from a cumulative distance associated with the device.

8. A method according to claim 6, wherein when the velocity is less than the threshold velocity value, then the velocity indicates exercise and the distance is accumulated in the cumulative distance associated with the device.

9. A system for monitoring athletic performance, comprising:

a processor communicating with memory, the memory storing instructions for acquiring information indicating that a device is in movement;

differentiating the movement from transportation; and

when the movement indicates transportation, then excluding the movement as unrelated to the athletic performance.

10. A system according to claim 9, the memory further storing instructions for comparing an acceleration associated with the movement to a threshold value, and when the acceleration fails to satisfy the threshold value, then the movement is transportation and excluded as unrelated to the athletic performance.

11. A system according to claim 10, the memory further storing instructions for when the acceleration satisfies the threshold value, then acquiring a distance traversed during the movement.

12. A system according to claim 11, the memory further storing instructions for computing an amount of work expended during the movement and adding the amount of work expended to the athletic performance.

13. A system according to claim 9, the memory further storing instructions for acquiring a distance traversed during the movement and a velocity as the distance is traversed.

14. A system according to claim 13, the memory further storing instructions for comparing the velocity to a threshold velocity value.

15. A system according to claim 14, the memory further storing instructions for when the velocity exceeds the threshold velocity value, then the velocity indicates transportation and the distance is excluded from a cumulative distance associated with the device.

16. A system according to claim 15, the memory further storing instructions for when the velocity is less than the threshold velocity value, then the velocity indicates exercise and the distance is accumulated in the cumulative distance associated with the device

17. A computer program product storing computer-readable instructions for:

acquiring information indicating that a device is in movement;

differentiating the movement from transportation; and

when the movement indicates transportation, then excluding the movement as unrelated to the athletic performance.

18. A computer program product according to claim 17, further comprising instructions for computing an amount of work expended during the movement and adding the amount of work expended to the athletic performance.

19. A computer program product according to claim 17, further comprising instructions for acquiring a distance traversed during the movement and a velocity as the distance is traversed.

20. A computer program product according to claim 19, further comprising instructions for comparing the velocity to a threshold velocity value.