Portable Fitness Monitoring Systems With Displays and Applications Thereof

• US 20100292599A1
• Filed: 05/18/2009
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Adidas AG
• Inventors: Tomlinson, Scott, Oleson, Mark Arthur, DiBenedetto, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 8,105,208 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/519
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 1/00 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/00 Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 13/00 Hook or eye fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 17/00 Press-button or snap fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 18/00 Fasteners of the touch-and-close type; Making such fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0007 Bracelets specially adapted for other functions or with means for attaching other articles
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/14 characterised by the way of fastening to a wrist-watch or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A44D 2203/00 Fastening by use of magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0661 arranged on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• 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 2225/20 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 2230/04 heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• 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 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 : Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry

Abstract

Portable fitness monitoring systems with displays, and applications thereof, are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of providing training feedback to an individual using a heart rate sensor and a display module supported by the individual during a physical activity, the method including the steps of: (a) determining a maximum heart rate value for the individual; (b) defining a heart rate zone as a range of heart rate values that correspond to a range of percentages of the maximum heart rate value; (c) associating a color with the heart rate zone; (d) wirelessly transmitting heart rate data from the heart rate sensor to the display module during the physical activity; and (e) visually displaying the color associated with the heart rate zone to the individual on the display module during the physical activity in response to the heart rate data.

Claims

1. A method of providing training feedback to an individual using a heart rate sensor and a display module supported by the individual during a physical activity, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a maximum heart rate value for the individual;

(b) defining a heart rate zone as a range of heart rate values that correspond to a range of percentages of the maximum heart rate value;

(c) associating a color with the heart rate zone;

(d) wirelessly transmitting heart rate data from the heart rate sensor to the display module during the physical activity; and

(e) visually displaying the color associated with the heart rate zone to the individual on the display module during the physical activity in response to the heart rate data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step (a) is based on input received from the individual via an input control of the display module.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step (a) is based on input received from the individual via a remote computer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step (a) is based on the results of an assessment exercise.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the color is displayed when the heart rate data indicates that the heart rate of the individual falls within the heart rate zone.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the color associated with the heart rate zone displayed to the individual during the physical activity is the only indication displayed to the individual during the physical activity that the heart rate of the individual falls within the heart rate zone.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step (e) includes the step of providing a light emitting source that blinks at a rate proportional to the heart rate of the individual in response to the heart rate data.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(f) transmitting heart rate data from the display module to a remote computer after the physical activity;

(g) requesting feedback from the individual about the physical activity; and

(h) adjusting the range of heart rate values that make up the heart rate zone based upon at least one of feedback received from the individual and the heart rate data.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the display module supported by the individual is supported by the athlete'"'"'s wrist.

10. A method of providing training feedback to an individual using a portable fitness device and a sensor in communication with the fitness device, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) defining a range of performance parameter values;

(b) wirelessly transmitting performance data from the sensor to the fitness device during a physical activity;

(c) requesting feedback from the individual about the physical activity; and

(d) selectively adjusting the range of performance parameter values based on feedback received from the individual.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein step (d) includes the step of querying the individual about the difficulty of the physical activity.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step (e) of selectively adjusting the range of performance parameter values based on the performance data

13. The method of claim 10, wherein step (c) occurs via a remote computer.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the range of performance parameter values is a range of heart rate values.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the performance data is heart rate data.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the range of performance parameter values is a range of speed values.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the range of performance parameter values is a range of pace values.

18. A method of providing training feedback to an individual using a fitness monitoring system including a portable fitness device, a sensor in communication with the portable fitness device, and a computer, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) defining a plurality of performance zones, wherein each performance zone comprises a range of heart rate values;

(b) wirelessly transmitting heart rate data from the sensor to the portable fitness device during a physical activity;

(c) requesting feedback from the individual about the physical activity via the computer;

(d) receiving feedback from the individual about the physical activity via the computer; and

(e) adjusting the range of heart rate values of at least one of the performance zones based on the feedback from the individual.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein step (a) comprises the steps of:

determining a maximum heart rate for the individual; and

defining the plurality of performance zones based on ranges of percentages of the maximum heart rate.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of displaying a visual output indicative of at least one performance zone on the portable fitness device during the physical activity.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the portable fitness device and the computer are separate devices.

22. A portable fitness monitoring system for monitoring a performance parameter of an individual during a physical activity, the system comprising:

an article for wearing, said article capable of being releasably secured to the body of the individual; and

a display module for displaying a visual output indicative of the performance parameter, said display module releasably secured to said article for wearing such that the visual output from said display module is adapted to be visible through said article for wearing.

23. The system of claim 22, said article for wearing having a cavity defined therein and wherein said display module is disposed within said cavity.

24. The system of claim 22, said article for wearing having a window, wherein the visual output from said display module is visible through said window.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein said window is translucent.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein said window is transparent.

27. The system of claim 24 wherein said article for wearing is a strap, and the strap and said window are comprised of an integral piece of flexible polymeric material.

28. The system of claim 22 wherein said article for wearing is an article of clothing.

29. The system of claim 22, wherein the performance parameter relates to the heart rate of the individual.

30. The system of claim 22, further comprising a heart rate sensor in communication with said display module, wherein said display module is adapted to receive heart rate data from said heart rate sensor, and wherein the visual output is responsive to the heart rate data.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the visual output is a numerical heart rate value derived from the heart rate data.

32. The system of claim 30 wherein the visual output is a light emitted by a light emitting source wherein the light emitting source blinks at a rate proportional to a heart rate value derived from the heart rate data.

33. The system of claim 22 wherein the visual output is a colored light emitted by a light emitting source.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein the color of the light emitted is associated with a heart rate zone.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the heart rate zone is a range of heart rate values that correspond to a range of percentages of a maximum heart rate value.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein the maximum heart rate value is determined prior to beginning a physical activity.

37. The system of claim 35 wherein the maximum heart rate value is determined based on the individual'"'"'s age.

38. The system of claim 35 wherein the maximum heart rate value is determined based on a test physical activity conducted by the individual.

39. The system of claim 30 wherein the display module is adapted to transmit heart rate information to a remote computer.

40. The system of claim 22 wherein said article for wearing is an article of footwear.