INTERFACING PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICES AND SPORTS EQUIPMENT

• US 20090221404A1
• Filed: 09/26/2008
• Published: 09/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: DOROGUSKER, Jesse, Bolton, Lawrence, Krueger, Scott, Lydon, Gregory T., Schubert, Emily C., Hailey, Michael, Lambert, Debbie, Ginsburg, Donald
• Granted Patent: US 8,047,966 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• 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 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0683 Input by handheld remote control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• 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 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 : based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]

Abstract

Circuits, methods, and apparatus that allow sports or other equipment, such as gym or other cardio equipment, to write data to a media player. Examples further provide the uploading of this data to a computer and third-party website. To monitor progress, the third-party website can be used to track workout data over time. The third party-website can also collect data from other users, which is particularly useful for providing a competitive environment. This data can then be graphically displayed in various ways to provide encouragement.

Claims

1. A sports equipment apparatus comprising:

circuitry to form a communication link with a media player; and

circuitry to generate workout data and to write the workout data to the media player on a periodic basis using the communication link.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a display for providing prompts to a user.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the prompts include a workout selection menu.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is a treadmill.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communication link circuitry is coupled to a connector insert.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the connector insert is a 30-pin connector insert.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuitry to generate workout data measures angular displacement of a wheel.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the circuitry to generate workout data further measures time, and generates the workout data by using time and the angular displacement of the wheel.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising circuitry for receiving data from the media player.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the data comprises user profile data.

11. A method of providing competitive workout data comprising, with a first item of sports equipment:

establishing a first communication link with a first media player;

generating first workout data;

writing the first workout data to the first media player;

receiving second workout data; and

displaying first information based on the first workout data and the second workout data.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein receiving the second workout data comprises receiving second workout data from the media player.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the second workout data is generated substantially contemporaneously by a second item of sports equipment.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the first item of sports equipment is a treadmill.

15. A method of providing competitive workout data comprising, with a first media player:

establishing a first communication link with a first item of sports equipment;

receiving first workout data from the first item of sports equipment;

storing the first workout data;

receiving second workout data; and

providing the second workout data to the first item of sports equipment.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein receiving the second workout data comprises receiving second workout data from a second media player.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the second workout data is generated substantially contemporaneously by a second item of sports equipment.

18. A method of storing data in a media player memory comprising:

establishing a communication link with an item of sports equipment;

periodically receiving data from the sports equipment, the data comprising workout data related to contemporaneous workout activity; and

storing the received data in the media player memory.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

providing user profile data to the item of sports equipment.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

storing the received data as a file; and

after the contemporaneous workout activity is completed, appending end of file data to the stored file.

21. A method of generating and storing workout data comprising:

establishing a communication link with a media player;

measuring a physical movement;

converting the measurement into workout data; and

periodically writing the workout data to the media player.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

receiving user profile data from the media player.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

using at least some of the user profile data in converting the measurement into workout data.

24. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

displaying information regarding the workout data.