Outdoor gear performance and trip management system

• US 7,716,013 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2007
• Issued: 05/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Corporation, North Face Apparel Corporation (V.F. Corporation)
• Original Assignee: North Face Apparel Corporation (V.F. Corporation)
• Inventors: Orth, Maggie, Elginsmith, Brian, Kennedy, Sheila, Verplaetse, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): West; Jeffrey R
• Application Number:
  US11/846,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20080142060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 135 91- 94, 702/99, 702/104, 702/130, 702/131, 702/135, 702/136, 702/155, 702/158, 702/160, 700299-300, 219211-212
• US Class Current: 702/182
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/005 with controlled temperature

Abstract

Systems and methods of managing the performance of host products such as outdoor gear provide for detecting a connection between drive and performance modules. The performance module has an associated output type and is installed in a host product. A drive profile is selected from a plurality of drive profiles based on the output type and performance characteristic of the host product and is modified by controlling the performance module based on the selected drive profile. Other embodiments include systems and methods of managing trips provide for a performance unit that generates profile data for a performance module based on pre-trip data. The profile data instructs a drive module to modify a performance characteristic of a host product in which the performance module is installed. A trip management unit collects sensor data from a sensor based on the pre-trip data and generates post-trip data based on the sensor data.

Claims

1. An outdoor gear performance management system comprising:

a host product having a plurality of performance characteristics associated therewith;

a first performance module connected to the host product that generates a first output to modify a first performance characteristic of the host product, wherein the first performance module is a fan whose output increases ventilation of the host product;

a second performance module connected to the host product that generates a second output to modify a second performance characteristic of the host product, wherein the second performance module is a light of which light output is used to illuminate the host product; and

a drive module for controlling the performance modules based on respective first or second selected drive profile selected from a plurality of drive profiles, wherein the first selected drive profile modifies the first performance characteristic of the host product and the second selected drive profile modifies the second performance characteristic of the host product,

wherein the first and second drive profiles are selected by the drive module based upon a type of output of a corresponding performance module and a type of host product,

wherein the first and second performance modules may be used interchangeably between a variety of host products,

wherein the host product is selected from the group consisting of jackets, gloves, hats, footwear, tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks,

wherein the plurality of performance characteristics are selected from a group of parameters consisting of temperature, airflow, and illumination, and

wherein the drive module is configured to sense and track parameters selected from the group consisting of body temperature, heart rate, hydration, motion, ambient temperature, compass/heading, weather forecast, GPS, altitude, distance, pace, calories burned, humidity, barometer pressure, and time.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second host product having a plurality of performance characteristics associated therewith, the second host product includes third and fourth performance modules, and the drive module controls the third and fourth performance modules.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first drive profile, the second drive profile, or both is selected based upon user input.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the first drive profile, the second drive profile, or both uses a current/voltage signature to operate the corresponding performance modules.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the performance modules include a tether to provide an electrical connection to a connector.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the drive module has a connector that interfaces with a connector of the performance modules.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the drive module connector has a pin assigned to each type of performance module.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the drive module is wirelessly connected to the performance modules.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the drive module includes a power supply.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a controller to remotely control the drive module.

11. An outdoor gear performance management system comprising:

a host product having a plurality of performance characteristics associated therewith;

a first performance module connected to the host product that generates a first output to modify a first performance characteristic of the host product;

a second performance module connected to the host product that generates a second output to modify a second performance characteristic of the host product;

a drive module for controlling the performance modules based on respective first or second selected drive profile selected from a plurality of drive profiles, wherein the first selected drive profile modifies the first performance characteristic of the host product and the second selected drive profile modifies the second performance characteristic of the host product;

a controller including a performance unit to generate profile data for the performance modules based on pre-trip data, wherein the profile data instructs the drive module to modify the first and second performance characteristics of the host product; and

a trip management unit to collect sensor data from a sensor based on the pre-trip data and generate post-trip data based on the sensor data,

wherein the first and second drive profiles are selected by the drive module based upon a type of output of a corresponding performance module and a type of host product,

wherein the first and second performance modules may be used interchangeably between a variety of host products,

wherein the host product is selected from the group consisting of jackets, gloves, hats, footwear, tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks,

wherein the plurality of performance characteristics are selected from a group of parameters consisting of temperature, airflow, and illumination, and

wherein the drive module is configured to sense and track parameters selected from the group consisting of body temperature, heart rate, hydration, motion, ambient temperature, compass/heading, weather forecast, GPS, altitude, distance, pace, calories burned, humidity, barometer pressure, and time.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the controller is configured to interact with one or more computing devices to exchange pre-trip and post-trip data.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the controller functions as a multi-functional link between the one or more computing devices and the performance modules.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the controller is wireless.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the sensor tracks and provides data related to at least one of speed, distance, altitude, temperature, and heart rate.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising a second host product having a plurality of performance characteristics associated therewith, the second host product includes third and fourth performance modules, and the drive module controls the third and fourth performance modules.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the first drive profile, the second drive profile, or both is selected based upon user input.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the first drive profile, the second drive profile, or both uses a current/voltage signature to operate the corresponding performance modules.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the drive module is wirelessly connected to the performance modules.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the drive module includes a power supply.