Activity monitoring & directing system

• US 20140348367A1
• Filed: 03/18/2014
• Published: 11/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stig M. Pedersen, Vavrus, Jon L., Weill, Lawrence
• Original Assignee: Stig M. Pedersen, Vavrus, Jon L., Weill, Lawrence
• Inventors: Vavrus, Jon L., Pedersen, Stig M., Weill, Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 9,668,041 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/334
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/44 Special adaptations for subaqueous use, e.g. for hydrophone
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10

Abstract

A system for monitoring and directing athletic or other physical activities is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a headset worn by an athlete includes one or more sensors, a microprocessor, a non-volatile memory and a communication link. The athlete'"'"'s headset receives and transmits signals to a coach while the athlete is performing an activity. In this embodiment, the present invention provides coordinated audio streams to the athlete during his/her activity and training. In one implementation, the system coordinates audio for entertainment (such as music), audio expression of real-time performance information (such as count of laps, heart rate, etc.), optional pre-planned activity instructions and interrupt audio such as a coach'"'"'s advice/instruction, or cell phone messages. In this implementation, the system records the output of the performance sensors for later analysis and allows for real-time display of the data for the coach. In one implementation, the system includes a underwater communication link for communication with a swimmer while in the water.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a sensor;

said sensor for providing an output; and

an audio headset;

said audio headset for receiving a stream of content;

said audio headset also for receiving said output from said sensor;

said audio headset including a computing device;

said computing device including a processor and a non-volatile memory;

said computing device also for converting said output from said sensor to audio information;

said audio headset, being worn by said user, for providing a combination of said stream of content and audio information to said user.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said sensor is configured to supply real-time information.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said sensor includes a radio for emitting a wireless output that may be received by said audio headset.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said sensor is a swimmer'"'"'s lap counter.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said sensor is a heart rate monitor.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said sensor is a respiration monitor.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said sensor is a swimmer'"'"'s stroke counter.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said sensor measures a swimmer'"'"'s speed.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said sensor records a swimmer'"'"'s lap time.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said memory in said processor stores a speech generator program which converts said output from said sensor to a voice signal for said user.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said memory in said processor stores a plurality of pre-recorded voice messages which are conveyed to said audio headset based on a signal received from said sensor.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said audio headset includes a radio for receiving said stream of content.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said audio headset includes a radio for receiving said output of said sensor.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a systems communication hub;

said systems communication including a processor and a non-volatile memory;

said systems communication hub including a radio for providing wireless communications to said audio headset;

said systems communication hub for providing information to said user from another person.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 12, further comprising:

a microphone;

said microphone being attached to said audio headset;

said microphone for receiving ambient sound and for enabling a first person to send voice information using said radio to another person.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said stream of content includes entertainment.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a remote transceiver;

said remote transceiver including a processor and a non-volatile memory and a radio.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, in which said remote transceiver is a smart phone.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, in which said remote transceiver is a tablet.

20. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, in which said remote transceiver is used by a coach for communicating with said user wearing said audio headset.

21. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a remote server;

said remote server including a processor and a non-volatile memory;

said non-volatile memory including a web portal software program;

said web portal software program for conveying information received from said audio headset to other persons who connect to said remote server.

22. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, in which data from said sensor is archived on said remote server.

23. An apparatus as recited in claim 21, in which data from said sensor is retrieved from said remote server.

24. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said sensor includes an accelerometer for performance measurement.

25. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said sensor includes a magnetometer for lap counting.

26. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said sensor includes:

a plurality of magnetic sensors arranged in a mutually orthogonal configuration;

a plurality of acceleration sensors in a mutually orthogonal configuration;

said plurality of magnetic sensors and said plurality of acceleration sensors being used to count laps and to determine speed.

28. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which

said headset receives ultrasonic signals through water.

27. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a sensor for producing an output; and

providing an audio headset;

receiving a stream of content at said audio headset;

receiving said output from said sensor at said audio headset;

using a computing device in said audio set to convert said output from said sensor to an audio signal using a processor and a non-volatile memory;

supplying a combination of said stream of content and said audio signal originating at said sensor to said user wearing said headset.