Training coordinator device and method

• US 7,815,548 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2007
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Hove, Jillis Ter, Groeneweg, Nikolaj, Barre, Lara, Garcia, Andres
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ganesan; Sundhara M
• Application Number:
  US11/942,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20080153672A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 600/595, 600/300, 702/182
• US Class Current: 482/9
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• 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 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases

Abstract

A training coordinator device is in communication with a training transducer integrated in an exercise article. The training coordinator device receives training schedule data, for example, via an internet link, and uses this schedule to prompt and encourage a user in performing training activities in a real time and persistent manner defined in the training schedule by means of a user interface which may take the form of an LED array. The training coordinator device monitors training activities by signals from a suitably adapted training transducer, which may be integrated in an exercise article such as a bicycle etc. Information concerning the user'"'"'s training activities may be published via an internet link for access by both the user and medical professionals, who may also be the source of the training schedule.

Claims

1. A training device, comprising:

a first interface adapted to receive signals from a training transducer;

a second interface adapted to receive training schedule data from a remote correspondent, the training schedule data defining times by which a specified exercise is to be performed by a user;

a first memory storing said training schedule data;

a first output adapted to output a human perceptible signal in accordance with a feedback template, said human perceptible signal comprising data content relating to performance of the exercise by the user, said feedback template specifying a manner in which the data content is to be conveyed to the user;

a second memory storing output status data from which the human perceptible signal is generated;

a clock; and

a processor, said processor configured to continuously

carry out a determination, in real time as the user is performing the exercise, of whether said signals received at said first interface satisfy criteria of conforming to said training schedule data with regard to a time value obtained from said clock; and

update said training schedule data as a function of a result of said determination;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the first interface via a unidirectional first link in which data can flow only from the first interface to the processor;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the second interface via a bidirectional second link in which data can flow from the second interface to the processor or from the processor to the second interface;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the first output via a unidirectional third link in which data can flow only from the from the processor to the first output;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the first memory via a bidirectional fourth link in which data can flow from the first memory to the processor or from the processor to the first memory;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the second memory via a unidirectional fifth link in which data can flow only from the second memory to the processor;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the clock via a unidirectional sixth link in which data can flow only from the clock to the processor;

wherein the feedback template enables the data content to be conveyed to the user by color schemes, musical resources, or voice patterns.

2. The training device of claim 1, wherein the training device transmits information via the second interface to said remote correspondent, the information including:

an identification of the user and/or the training device;

said signals received at said first interface;

said output status data;

said result of said determination; and

an updated portion of said training schedule data.

3. The training device of claim 1, wherein the training device is substantially ovoid in shape.

4. A training device, comprising:

a first interface adapted to receive signals from a training transducer;

a second interface adapted to receive training schedule data from a remote correspondent, the training schedule data defining times by which a specified exercise is to be performed by a user;

a first memory storing said training schedule data;

a first output adapted to output a human perceptible signal in accordance with a feedback template, said human perceptible signal comprising data content relating to performance of the exercise by the user, said feedback template specifying a manner in which the data content is to be conveyed to the user;

a second memory storing output status data from which the human perceptible signal is generated;

a clock; and

a processor, said processor configured to continuously

carry out a determination, in real time as the user is performing the exercise, of whether said signals received at said first interface satisfy criteria of conforming to said training schedule data with regard to a time value obtained from said clock; and

update said training schedule data as a function of a result of said determination;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the first interface via a unidirectional first link in which data can flow only from the first interface to the processor;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the second interface via a bidirectional second link in which data can flow from the second interface to the processor or from the processor to the second interface;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the first output via a unidirectional third link in which data can flow only from the processor to the first output;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the first memory via a bidirectional fourth link in which data can flow from the first memory to the processor or from the processor to the first memory;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the second memory via a unidirectional fifth link in which data can flow only from the second memory to the processor;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the clock via a unidirectional sixth link in which data can flow only from the clock to the processor;

wherein the training device is integrated in a housing of translucent material that protects the training device from physical shock and ingress of water.

5. The training device of claim 4, wherein the translucent material is silicone rubber.

6. The training device of claim 4, wherein the first output comprises a luminous transducer, wherein the translucent material of the housing is configured to diffuse light from the luminous transducer such that the entire training device appears to glow.

7. The training device of claim 4, wherein the first output comprises luminous transducer elements adapted to emit light signals of different colors, and wherein the translucent material is configured to merge and blend the different colors to extend a range of colors that may be displayed to the user.

8. A training device, comprising:

a first interface adapted to receive signals from a training transducer;

a second interface adapted to receive training schedule data from a remote correspondent, the training schedule data defining times by which a specified exercise is to be performed by a user;

a first memory storing said training schedule data;

a first output adapted to output a human perceptible signal in accordance with a feedback template, said human perceptible signal comprising data content relating to performance of the exercise by the user, said feedback template specifying a manner in which the data content is to be conveyed to the user;

a second memory storing output status data from which the human perceptible signal is generated;

a clock; and

a processor, said processor configured to continuously

carry out a determination, in real time as the user is performing the exercise, of whether said signals received at said first interface satisfy criteria of conforming to said training schedule data with regard to a time value obtained from said clock; and

update said training schedule data as a function of a result of said determination;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the first interface via a unidirectional first link in which data can flow only from the first interface to the processor;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the second interface via a bidirectional second link in which data can flow from the second interface to the processor or from the processor to the second interface;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the first output via a unidirectional third link in which data can flow only from the processor to the first output;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the first memory via a bidirectional fourth link in which data can flow from the first memory to the processor or from the processor to the first memory;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the second memory via a unidirectional fifth link in which data can flow only from the second memory to the processor;

wherein the processor is directly connected to the clock via a unidirectional sixth link in which data can flow only from the clock to the processor;

wherein the first output comprises a plurality of luminous transducers, and wherein the luminous transducers may be independently illuminated or not illuminated.

9. The training device of claim 8, wherein the data content is to be conveyed to the user in the human perceptible signal is feedback on how correct the exercise is being performed, and wherein the feedback on how correct the exercise is being performed is conveyed to the user through a pattern of illumination of the luminous transducers.

10. The training device of claim 9, wherein the feedback on how correct the exercise is being performed is further conveyed to the user through usage of different light colors within the pattern of illumination.

11. The training device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of luminous transducers are distributed in at least one ring of luminous transducers.

12. The training device of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to selectively illuminate a number of luminous transducers in a timing ring of the at least one ring such that the number of luminous transducers in the timing ring that are illuminated at a given time is indicative of a time duration of said performance of the exercise by the user from a time at which said performance of the exercise by the user was initiated until the given time, and wherein the number of luminous transducers in the timing ring is at least two.

13. The training device of claim 12, wherein the number of luminous transducers in the timing ring that are illuminated increases as the time duration of said performance of the exercise by the user increases.

14. The training device of claim 12, wherein the at least one ring of luminous transducers is a plurality of rings of luminous transducers, and wherein the timing ring is a first ring of the plurality of rings.

15. The training device of claim 14, wherein the exercise is performed by the user on a balance board.

16. The training device of claim 15,

wherein the plurality of rings comprises a central ring consisting of a single luminous transducer that is concentric with respect to the rings of the plurality of rings,

wherein the processor is configured to illuminate the single luminous transducer during said performance of the exercise by the user when a perfect balance of the balance board is achieved, and

wherein the processor is configured to prevent the single luminous transducer from being illuminated during said performance of the exercise by the user when said perfect balance of the balance board is not achieved.

17. The training device of claim 15,

wherein the plurality of rings comprises a second ring and a third ring,

wherein the second ring and the third ring each independently comprise two or more luminous transducers,

wherein a distribution of illumination of the luminous transducers in the second ring is indicative of a direction in which the balance board is tipped, and

wherein a distribution of illumination of the luminous transducers in the third ring is indicative of a degree to which the balance board is tipped.