Multi-Sensor Monitoring of Athletic Performance

• US 20120078396A1
• Filed: 12/06/2011
• Published: 03/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Case, Charles Whipple Jr., Martin, Jason P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,777,815 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/91
• 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 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• 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 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/73 Altitude
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/75 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/76 Wind conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• 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 2230/08 other bio-electrical signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• 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 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 : Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 : Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 : wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/003 : Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/02 : with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip

Abstract

Athletic performance monitoring systems and methods, many of which utilize, in some manner, global positioning satellite (“GPS”) data, provide data and information to athletes and/or to equipment used by athletes during an athletic event. Such systems and methods may provide route information to athletes and/or their trainers, e.g., for pre-event planning, goal setting, and calibration purposes. Such systems and methods optionally may provide real time information to the athlete while the event takes place, e.g., to assist in reaching the pre-set goals. Additionally, data and information collected by such systems and methods may assist in post-event analysis for athletes and their trainers, e.g., to evaluate past performances and to assist in improving future performances.

Claims

1. An athletic performance monitoring system, comprising:

a first athletic performance monitor that provides data relating to at least one of a speed or a distance moved by an athlete during an athletic performance;

a portable audio, video, or display device for use by the athlete during the athletic performance; and

means for controlling the audio, video, or display device during the athletic performance, wherein the means for controlling the audio, video, or display device receives control input from the athlete during the athletic performance in a non-contacting manner.

2. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a hand or arm mounted accelerometer in communication with the means for controlling the audio, video, or display device, wherein the hand or arm mounted accelerometer provides the control input in the non-contacting manner.

3. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the hand or arm mounted accelerometer is provided on a ring or bracelet worn by the athlete during the athletic performance.

4. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the audio, video, or display device includes a voice input system, wherein the voice input system provides the control input in the non-contacting manner.

5. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the audio, video, or display device controls media playback volume via the control input received in the non-contacting manner.

6. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the audio, video, or display device activates media playback via the control input received in the non-contacting manner.

7. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the audio, video, or display device changes a media channel via the control input received in the non-contacting manner.

8. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the audio, video, or display device is an audio player device.

9. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the audio, video, or display device is a video player device.

10. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the audio, video, or display device is a display device.

11. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a global positioning satellite receiver that obtains data relating to a series of time-stamped position points encountered by the athlete during the athletic performance; and

wherein the means for controlling the audio, video, or display device during the athletic performance controls the portable audio, video, or display device based, at least in part, on data obtained via the global positioning satellite receiver.

12. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein the means for controlling the audio, video, or display device adjusts at least one feature of content played by the audio, video, or display device based on approaching route conditions as determined using data obtained via the global positioning satellite receiver.

13. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein the means for controlling the audio, video, or display device selects content for playback during the athletic performance at a specific location when the global positioning satellite receiver indicates that the athlete has reached that specific location.

14. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein the means for controlling the audio, video, or display device adjusts at least one feature of content played by the audio, video, or display device when data obtained via the global positioning satellite receiver indicates that an athlete has fallen behind a predetermined pace.

15. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein the means for controlling the audio, video, or display device adjusts media playback speed based on athletic performance data obtained via the global positioning satellite receiver.

16. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the portable audio, video, or display device includes an arm/wrist worn display device.

17. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the portable audio, video, or display device includes a cell phone.

18. An athletic performance monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the portable audio, video, or display device includes an MP3 player.