Method and apparatus for providing fitness coaching using a mobile device

• US 7,841,967 B1
• Filed: 04/26/2007
• Issued: 11/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: DP Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Kahn, Philippe, Kinsolving, Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, LoAn
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ganesan, Sundhara M
• Application Number:
  US11/740,887
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482/901, 700/94, 463/1, 463/4, 463 6- 7, 463/36, 434/236, 434/238, 434/247, 434/250, 434/255, 607/77, 705/2, 846/00, 846/12
• US Class Current: 482/9
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/04 with movable multiple steps , i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders steppers with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0048
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2214/00 Training methods
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/00 Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A method and apparatus providing fitness coaching including a mobile device to enable a user to receive a tailored fitness session.

Claims

1. A machine implemented method of providing a tailored fitness training session including music comprising:

enabling a user to set a musical genre preference;

creating an algorithmically generated song having a specific beat per minute profile;

generating a fitness training session including at least two phases, each phase having a different health goal;

upon initiation of a fitness training session, selecting from a set of songs within the musical genre including the one or more algorithmically generated songs, a sequence of songs based on the set musical preferences, the songs having an appropriate number of beats per minute for the phase of the fitness training session;

providing a musical cue to the user to transition between the first phase and the second phase of the fitness training session;

monitoring the user'"'"'s health parameters during the fitness training session; and

adjusting the song selection to adjust the user'"'"'s health parameters to an appropriate level for the current phase of the fitness training session.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

inserting verbal cues for the user into the music.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

streaming the songs during the fitness training session; and

pre-storing buffer music to enable a smooth change in tempo for adjusting of the song selection based on the user'"'"'s health parameters.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the cue is one of:

a verbal cue, the musical cue, or the verbal cue in addition to the musical cue to transition the fitness training session.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the music is presented in a format selected from among:

MID1, MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, and AAC.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the song comprises:

a musical composition with words, a musical composition without words, a rhythmic or polyrhythmic pattern.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

tracking a number of steps per minute and verifying that the number of steps corresponds to an appropriate fitness training session level.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the algorithmically generated song provides a smooth transition from a first song having a first beat per minute to a second song having a second beat per minute.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

downloading an initial portion of the sequence of songs; and

downloading an up-tempo buffer and a down-tempo buffer to enable instantaneous change in the tempo to adjust the song selection to adjust the user'"'"'s health parameter.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

streaming the sequence of songs; and

playing one of the up-tempo buffer or the down-tempo buffer to enable pre-buffering of a new sequence of songs when the song selection is adjusted in response to the user'"'"'s health parameter.

11. A machine-implemented method of providing a tailored fitness training session comprising:

generating a fitness session by a fitness system on a computing device, the fitness session including at least two subparts having different goals;

automatically selecting a sequence of songs for each of the subparts of the fitness session by the fitness system, the sequence of songs maintaining an appropriate number of beats per minute, based on the goal of the subpart;

providing a cue to the user to transition the user from a first subpart to a second subpart;

monitoring the user'"'"'s health parameters during the fitness training session; and

adjusting the song selection to adjust the user'"'"'s health parameters to an appropriate level for the current subpart of the fitness training session.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

inserting verbal cues for the user into the music.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the cue to transition the fitness training session between the subparts comprises one of:

a verbal cue, a musical cue, and a combination of a verbal cue and musical cue.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the song comprises:

a musical composition with words, a musical composition without words, a rhythmic or polyrhythmic pattern.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

algorithmically generating a song with an appropriate number of beats per minute for the tailored fitness session, the song being in a genre specified by the user'"'"'s musical preferences.

16. A machine implemented method comprising:

generating a fitness session on a computing device, the fitness session including at least two subparts having different goals;

selecting a sequence of songs for a subparts of the fitness session, the sequence of songs maintaining an appropriate number of beats per minute, based on the goal of the subpart;

algorithmically generating a song to transition between subparts of the fitness session, the algorithmically generated song designed to smoothly move the user'"'"'s heart rate from a first rate to a second rate and providing a musical cue to transition the user between the subparts of the fitness session.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

inserting verbal cues for the user into the music.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the cue to transition the fitness training session between the subparts comprises one of:

a verbal cue, a musical cue, and a combination of the verbal cue and musical cue.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the algorithmically generated song is in a genre specified by the user'"'"'s musical preferences.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the algorithmically generated song comprises:

a musical composition with words, a musical composition without words, a rhythmic or polyrhythmic pattern.