Methods and Computer Program Products For Providing Audio Performance Feedback to a User During an Athletic Activity

• US 20120028762A1
• Filed: 10/04/2011
• Published: 02/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Adidas AG
• Inventors: Oleson, Mark Arthur, DiBenedetto, Christian, Munson, Ian Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,241,184 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/9
• 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 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• 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 24/0062 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 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/1016 using wireless transmission calling systems using transmission by inductive loop H04B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/90 Wireless transmission systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones

Abstract

Methods and computer program products for providing audio performance feedback to a user during an athletic activity are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for providing audio performance feedback to a user during an athletic activity using a portable fitness monitoring device includes the steps of the portable fitness monitoring device receiving one or more audio feedback files, the portable fitness monitoring device generating audio performance feedback during the athletic activity by reference to an index, wherein the index is associated with the one or more audio feedback files, and the portable fitness monitoring device providing the audio performance feedback to the user during the athletic activity audibly through an audio output device.

Claims

4-1. The method of claim 4, wherein the audio feedback file package is tailored for a specific type of athletic activity,

16. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein for causing one or more processors of a portable fitness monitoring device to provide audio performance feedback to a user during an athletic activity, the computer program logic comprising:

first computer readable program code for causing the one or more processors to receive a first audio feedback file and a second audio feedback file;

second computer readable program code for causing the one or more processors to generate an audio performance feedback phrase during the athletic activity by linking the first audio feedback file and the second audio feedback file; and

third computer readable program code for causing the one or more processors to provide the audio performance feedback phrase to the user during the athletic activity audibly through an audio output device.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the second computer readable program code further comprises fourth computer readable program code for causing the one or more processors to generate the audio performance feedback phrase by reference to an index, wherein the index is associated with the first audio feedback file and the second audio feedback file.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the computer program logic further comprises fifth computer readable program code for causing the one or more processors to generate the audio performance feedback phrase by reference to the index, wherein the index is associated with the first audio feedback file and the second audio feedback file via a pointer.

19. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the computer program logic further comprises fourth computer readable program code for causing the one or more processors to wirelessly receive the first audio feedback file and the second audio feedback file prior to the beginning of the athletic activity.

20. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the computer program logic further comprises fourth computer readable program code for causing the one or more processors to process an audio feedback file package that includes the first audio feedback file and the second audio feedback file.

21. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the computer program logic further comprises fifth computer readable program code for causing the one or more processors to process the audio feedback file package that is tailored for a specific type of athletic activity.

22. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the computer program logic further comprises fifth computer readable program code for causing the one or more processors to process the audio feedback file package that includes a specific type or style of voice.

23. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the second computer readable program code further comprises fourth computer readable program code for causing the one or more processors to determine a selected language for the audio performance feedback.

24. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the second computer readable program code further comprises fourth computer readable program code for causing the one or more processors to generate the audio performance feedback phrase in response to a detected performance parameter reaching a predetermined level.

25. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein one of the first audio feedback file and the second audio feedback file allows for the one or more processors to generate the audio playback of a color name.

26. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the color is one of the colors of a color-coded athletic performance zone system.

27. The computer program product of claim 26, wherein the other one of the first audio feedback file and the second audio feedback file allows for the one or more processors to generate the audio playback of a command for the user to adjust their intensity level to achieve a specific performance zone.

28. A method for providing audible output to a user during an athletic activity using a portable fitness monitoring device comprising the steps of:

(a) the portable fitness monitoring device receiving a workout routine, wherein the workout routine comprises a series of time-based intervals, wherein each interval has an intensity goal;

(b) the portable fitness monitoring device receiving an audio feedback file package; and

(c) the portable fitness monitoring device processing the workout routine and the audio feedback file package to provide audible output to the user through an audio output device during the athletic activity.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the workout routine and the audio feedback file package are both tailored for a specific type of athletic activity.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the specific type of athletic activity is running.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the audio feedback file package includes a specific type or style of voice.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein specific type or style of voice is a voice in a specific language.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein step (c) further comprises processing the workout routine and the audio feedback file package in response to a detected performance parameter.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein step (c) further comprises processing the workout routine and the audio feedback file package in response to the detected performance parameter reaching a predetermined level.