RFID TRIGGERED PERSONAL ATHLETIC DEVICE

• US 20080258917A1
• Filed: 03/28/2008
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Boyd, Edward L., Case, Charles W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,969,314 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• 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 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• 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 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0059 Exercising apparatus with reward systems
• 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
• 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: G04F 8/08 Means used apart from the time-piece for starting or stopping same
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: G04R 60/10 inside cases
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 : Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0237 : at kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 : at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0281 : Customer communication at a business location, e.g. providing product or service information, consulting
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/24 : Race time-recorders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/22 : using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

Abstract

A personal athletic device is worn by a runner during a race. A race course is provided with a plurality of mats along the race course. The mats have antennas and generate a magnetic field. The personal athletic device has a chip system having an RFID tag and a display. As the runner progress along the course, the RFID tag is triggered at each mat and race data is displayed on the device.

Claims

1. A personal device worn by an athlete during a timed event, the device comprising:

an attachment member to be worn by the athlete;

a transceiver coupled to the attachment member, the transceiver to receive signals during the timed event; and

a display coupled to the attachment member to display data associated with the timed event.

2. The personal device of claim 1, the transceiver further comprising an RFID transceiver.

3. The personal device of claim 1, the display to display a split time for the athlete during the timed event.

4. The personal device of claim 3, the display to further display a predetermined split time for the athlete during the time event.

5. The personal device of claim 4, the display to further display a comparison between the split time for the athlete during the timed event and the predetermined split time for the athlete during the timed event.

6. The personal device of claim 1, the display to display an elapsed time for the athlete during the timed event.

7. The personal device of claim 1, the display further comprising a bistable display, the bistable display to perpetually display the elapsed time for the athlete at the conclusion of the timed event.

8. A personal device worn by a runner during a race, the device comprising:

a wristband adapted to fit around a wrist of a runner; and

a display operably mounted on the wristband to display an indicia in response to the runner crossing a finish line of the race.

9. The personal device of claim 8, the display further comprising a bistable display, the bistable display to perpetually display an elapsed race time for the runner in response to the runner crossing the finish line of the race.

10. The personal device of claim 8, the display to display a split time for the runner during the race.

11. The personal device of claim 10, the display to further display a target split time for the runner during the race.

12. The personal device of claim 11, the display to further display a comparison between the split time and the target split time for the runner during the race.

13. A method comprising:

receiving, by a transceiver worn by an athlete during a timed event, a signal corresponding to the timed event;

displaying, by a display coupled to the transceiver, an indication of the athlete'"'"'s performance during the timed event; and

displaying, by the display coupled to the transceiver, a comparison of the athlete'"'"'s performance during the timed event to a target performance.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

displaying, by the display coupled to the transceiver, a pace for the athlete.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

perpetually displaying, by the display coupled to the transceiver, an indication of the athlete'"'"'s performance at the conclusion of the timed event.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

perpetually displaying, by the display coupled to the transceiver, an elapsed time for the timed event at the conclusion of the timed event.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

transmitting the indication of the athlete'"'"'s performance during the timed event.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

providing a motivational message to the athlete.