Modular Personal Network Systems and Methods

• US 20130249709A1
• Filed: 03/05/2013
• Published: 09/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Adidas AG
• Inventors: ELLIS, Michael, Schwartz, Caron
• Granted Patent: US 9,253,817 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.07
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/033 of the user plane, e.g. user's traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Modular personal networks (MPNs) are disclosed that include multiple devices that may be worn, carried, or used in close proximity to a user. The devices communicate wirelessly. Devices include security circuitry that prevents them from being used in a different MPN once the user has configured them. Devices not designed for use within an MPN can be included in the network using a bridge device. Devices can be integrated into items of jewelry, such as earrings, rings, pendants, and bracelets. One item of jewelry, such as a bracelet, can support multiple replaceable modules with variable functions. Functions of the MPN can include communications, entertainment, medical monitoring, sports monitoring, personal organization, and games. Multiple users each with his or her own MPN can use them to collaborate in creation of music. An MPN can be used for mobile recognition and logging of wildlife.

Claims

1-9. -9. (canceled)

10. A system for monitoring an individual'"'"'s performance during a physical activity, the system comprising:

a portable performance monitoring device, the portable performance monitoring device comprising;

a wireless personal-area network transceiver adapted to communicate with a sensor and an output device during the physical activity; and

a processor coupled to the wireless personal-area network transceiver and adapted to determine performance information for the individual,

wherein the portable performance monitoring device is adapted to provide data from the sensor to the output device via the portable performance monitoring device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is adapted, to determine the performance information for the individual based on data received from the sensor.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the portable performance monitoring device is further adapted to communicate with the sensor and the output device via a communications protocol featuring a low-power consumption mode.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the portable performance monitoring device further comprises a wireless wide-area network transceiver adapted to receive communication data from a remote device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the portable performance monitoring device is adapted to provide data to the output device to generate an output based on the communication data.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the sensor is adapted to be secured to the individual'"'"'s body during the physical activity, and wherein the output device is adapted to be secured to the individual'"'"'s body during the physical activity.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the sensor is adapted to generate one of position, distance, speed, and heart rate data.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the output device is adapted to convey at least some of the performance information to the individual during the physical activity.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the output device comprises one of a visual output and an audio output.

19. A mobile digital image sharing device comprising:

a digital camera adapted to take a digital image;

a processor coupled to the digital camera and adapted to associate the identity of a first user of the device with digital image; and

a wireless wide-area network transceiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is further adapted to cause the associated first user identity and digital image data to be transmitted to a remote computer via the wireless wide-area network transceiver.

20. The mobile digital image sharing device of claim 19, the device further comprising a user input adapted to allow the first user to provide a note, wherein the processor is further adapted to associate the note with the associated first user identity and digital image data.

21. The mobile digital image sharing device of claim 20, wherein the user input is adapted to allow the first user to provide a note by entering an audio sample.

22. The mobile digital image sharing device of claim 19, wherein the processor is further adapted to associate a date and time with the associated first user identity and digital image data.

23. The mobile digital image sharing device of claim 19, further comprising a satellite positioning system receiver coupled to the processor and adapted to collect position data, wherein the processor is further adapted to associate a location derived from the position data with the associated first user identity and digital image data.

24. The mobile digital image sharing device of claim 19, wherein the processor is further adapted to associate current weather conditions with the associated first user identity and digital image data.

25. The mobile digital image sharing device of claim 19, wherein the processor is further adapted to receive new digital image data via the wireless wide-area network transceiver from a second user.

26. The mobile digital image sharing device of claim 25, wherein the processor is further adapted to compare the new digital image data from the second user with the previous digital image data from the first user.

27. The mobile digital image sharing device of claim 26, wherein the processor is further adapted to determine a likely match between the new digital image data and the previous digital image data.

28. A method of coordinating the playing of a piece of music for a first user of a first portable device and a second user of a second portable device, the method comprising:

wirelessly exchanging messages between the first, portable device and the second portable device via first and second wireless transceivers;

playing the piece of music via a first audio output of the first portable device response to the wireless exchange of messages;

playing the piece of music via a second audio output of the second portable device in response to the wireless exchange of messages; and

coordinating the timing of the playing of the piece of music by the first portable device and the playing of the piece of music by the second portable device.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

storing a first digital copy of the piece of music in a memory of the first portable device; and

storing a second digital copy of the piece of music in a memory of the second portable device.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising transmitting a digital copy of the piece of music from the first portable device to the second portable device.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising transmitting a digital copy of the piece of music from the first portable device to the second portable device via the first and second wireless transceivers.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the first and second wireless transceivers are wireless personal-area network transceivers.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein transmitting the digital copy of the piece of music from the first portable device to the second portable device via the first and second wireless personal-area network transceivers occurs in response to a determination that the first and second portable devices are in proximity to one another.