Method and apparatus for pacing an athlete
First Claim
1. A method for pacing an athlete along a predetermined course, comprising:
- locating a plurality of visual markers along said course at spaced intervals prior to pacing said athlete along said course; and
starting a prerecorded narrative message with said athlete starting to follow said course, said prerecorded narrative message including identifying said visual makers corresponding to a particular pace selected by said athlete between successive ones of said plurality of markers to provide said athlete with a motivational stimulus and indication of his timed progress along said course.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for pacing an athlete along a predetermined course having at least one visual marker located thereon to be used in conjunction with a prerecorded narrative message indicating when the athlete should be adjacent the visual marker and for providing motivational support to the athlete along the length of the course. The device includes a means worn by the athlete for playing back any one of a plurality of prerecorded messages, each corresponding to a specific distance and performance goal. The plurality of messages may be stored on an archival medium such as a magnetic tape or electronic chip which, when played back, produces an audio narrative message heard by the athlete. Each narrative message continuously provides the athlete an update of the time into the event, the remaining in the event, the time between successive visual markers, and motivational support. The method includes locating at least one visual marker along a predetermined course and actuating the pacing device at the beginning of the course. The athlete adjusts his stride as dictated by the narrative message in order to pass each of the visual markers when indicated in the message. Thus, the pacing device allows the athlete to build his physical stamina and improve his performance to meet the desired goal.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for pacing an athlete along a predetermined course, comprising:
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locating a plurality of visual markers along said course at spaced intervals prior to pacing said athlete along said course; and starting a prerecorded narrative message with said athlete starting to follow said course, said prerecorded narrative message including identifying said visual makers corresponding to a particular pace selected by said athlete between successive ones of said plurality of markers to provide said athlete with a motivational stimulus and indication of his timed progress along said course. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus for pacing an athlete along a predetermined course, comprising:
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a plurality of visual markers, each located at spaced intervals along the course; a device to be worn by the athlete for playing back one of a plurality of narrative messages stored on an archival medium, each narrative message including identifying said visual markers corresponding to a performance goal established by the athlete and providing motivational messages and an indication of the athlete'"'"'s timed progress along the course; means for selecting said different goal means for generating a clock pulse; means operably coupled to said selecting means and generating means for controlling said device; means for synthesizing a voice in coordination with certain ones of said clock pulses; and means for outputting said voice produced by said synthesizing means. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A lightweight and portable device for pacing an athlete along a predetermined course, comprising:
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a plurality of visual markers for locating along a course at predetermined intervals; means for recording and storing a plurality of narrative messages including identifying said visual markers thereon, each narrative message corresponding to a different performance goal to be selected by the athlete; means for playing back said plurality of narrative messages as selected by the athlete, said playing means having means for starting and stopping said recording and storing means and means or selecting a specific one of said plurality of narrative messages, depending upon the performance goal of the athlete; means for selecting said different goal; means for generating a clock pulse; means operably coupled to said selecting means and generating means for controlling said device; means for synthesizing a voice in coordination with certain ones of said clock pulses; and means for outputting said voice produced by said synthesizing means. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A lightweight and portable device for pacing an athlete along a predetermined course having a plurality of visual markers for locating along a course at predetermined intervals, comprising:
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an archival medium for recording and storing a plurality of narrative messages including identifying said visual markers thereon, each narrative message corresponding to a different performance goal to be selected by the athlete; an apparatus for playing back said plurality of narrative messages as selected by the athlete, said apparatus having a switch for starting and stopping said narrative messages and selecting a specific one of said plurality of narrative messages, depending upon the performance goal of the athlete; means for selecting said different goal; means for generating a clock pulse; means operably coupled to said selecting means and generating means for controlling said device; means for synthesizing a voice in coordination with certain ones of said clock pulses; and means for outputting said voice produced by said synthesizing means.
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Specification