Sports electronic training system with electronic gaming features, and applications thereof

• US 7,927,253 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2009
• Issued: 04/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas International Marketing BV (Adidas AG)
• Original Assignee: Adidas International Marketing BV (Adidas AG)
• Inventors: Gaudio, Paul, Vincent, Stephen Michael, Oleson, Mark Arthur, Dibenedetto, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ganesan; Sundhara M
• Application Number:
  US12/416,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20090233770A1
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1, 482/8, 482/9, 273/444, 273/441, 463/1, 434/247, 434/257
• US Class Current: 482/9
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• 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 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• 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 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/14 : Geo-tagging, e.g. for correlating route or track location data with specific information related to that specific location
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 : Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/22 : Stride length
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 : Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/44 : Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/70 : Measuring or simulating ambient conditions, e.g. weather, terrain or surface conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/73 : Altitude
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 : Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 : Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 : Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 : Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 : with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• 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 2225/52 : modulated by measured values
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 : Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/04 : heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/207 : P-O2, i.e. partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 : temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/70 : body fat
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 : Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 : Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 : Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 : for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 : Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 : Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 : using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 : using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 : using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 : using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 : Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 : automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 : involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/816 : Athletics, e.g. track-and-field sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 : involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1056 : involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/205 : for detecting the geographical location of the game platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/208 : for storing personal settings or data of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 : Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5546 : using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5553 : user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 : player location
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 : Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 : Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8005 : Athletics
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 : Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0273 : using multipath or indirect path propagation signals in position determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 : Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 : Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 : with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality

Abstract

A sports electronic training system with electronic gaming features, and applications thereof, are disclosed. In an embodiment, the system comprises at least one monitor and a portable electronic processing device for receiving data from the at least one monitor and providing feedback to an individual based on the received data. The monitor can be a motion monitor that measures an individual'"'"'s performance such as, for example, speed, pace and distance for a runner. Other monitors might include a heart rate monitor, a temperature monitor, an altimeter, et cetera. In an embodiment, an input is provided to an electronic game based on data obtained from the at least one monitor that effects, for example, an avatar, a digitally created character, an action within the game, or a game score of the electronic game.

Claims

1. A method of interacting with an electronic game, comprising:

(a) monitoring a characteristic of an individual while the individual is engaged in an athletic activity;

(b) calculating information about the characteristic of the individual based on the monitoring in (a) with a processor;

(c) prior to providing an input to the electronic game, providing feedback to the individual during the athletic activity based on the information calculated in (b), wherein the feedback compares an intensity level that the individual is performing their activity at to a predetermined intensity level; and

(d) providing an input to the electronic game based on the information calculated in (b), wherein the input affects a digitally created character of the electronic game.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises monitoring movement of the individual with at least one accelerometer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one accelerometer is mounted to the individual'"'"'s shoe.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises monitoring movement of a foot of the individual.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises monitoring movement of a leg of the individual.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises monitoring movement of a wrist of the individual.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises monitoring movement of an arm of the individual.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises calculating rotational acceleration values.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises calculating translational acceleration values.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein (d) comprises providing an input that affects one of a health value, a fitness value, and a strength value for the digitally created character.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein (d) comprises providing an input that affects movement of the digitally created character.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(e) monitoring a heart rate of the individual; and

(f) providing an input to the electronic game based on the monitoring in (e).

13. The method of claim 1, wherein a color is associated with the predetermined intensity level, and wherein the feedback conveys the color to the individual.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the feedback is conveyed audibly.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the feedback is conveyed visually.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the feedback informs the individual that the intensity level that the individual is performing their activity at is below the predetermined intensity level.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined intensity level is a range of values associated with the characteristic.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic is beats of the heart of the individual and the information calculated is the individual'"'"'s instantaneous heart rate.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic is movement of a foot of the individual and the information calculated is acceleration.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the feedback relates to a plurality of intensity levels that the individual has performed their activity at, and wherein the feedback compares the plurality of intensity levels that the individual has performed their activity at to a plurality of different predetermined intensity levels.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the input provided to the electronic game includes information relating to the result of the comparison between the intensity level that the individual performed their activity at and the predetermined intensity level.

22. A method of interacting with an electronic game, comprising:

(a) monitoring a characteristic of an individual while the individual is engaged in an athletic activity;

(b) calculating information about the characteristic of the individual based on the monitoring in (a) with a processor;

(c) providing feedback to the individual during the athletic activity based on the information calculated in (b), wherein the feedback compares an intensity level that the individual is performing their activity at to a predetermined intensity level that was set by the individual prior to engaging in the athletic activity; and

(d) providing an input to the electronic game based on the information calculated in (b), wherein the input affects a game score.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein (a) comprises monitoring movement of a foot of the individual.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein (b) comprises calculating rotational acceleration values.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein (b) comprises calculating translational acceleration values.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

(e) monitoring a heart rate of the individual; and

(f) providing an input to the electronic game based on the monitoring in (e).

27. The method of claim 22, wherein a color is associated with the predetermined intensity level, and wherein the feedback conveys the color to the individual.

28. A method of interacting with an electronic game, comprising:

(a) monitoring a heart rate of an individual while the individual is engaged in an athletic activity;

(b) monitoring movement of the individual with at least one accelerometer while the individual is engaged in the athletic activity;

(c) calculating information about an activity level of the individual based on the monitoring in (a) and (b);

(d) prior to providing an input to the electronic game, providing feedback to the individual during the athletic activity, wherein the feedback compares an intensity level that the individual is performing their activity at to a predetermined intensity level; and

(e) providing an input to the electronic game based on the information calculated in (c), wherein the input affects a digitally created character of the electronic game.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein (e) comprises providing an input that affects one of a health value, a fitness value, and a strength value for the digitally created character.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the feedback is further based on the information calculated in (c).

31. The method of claim 28, wherein a color is associated with the predetermined intensity level, and wherein the feedback conveys the color to the individual.

32. A method of interacting with an electronic game, comprising:

(a) monitoring a heart rate of an individual while the individual is engaged in an athletic activity;

(b) monitoring movement of the individual with at least one accelerometer while the individual is engaged in the athletic activity;

(c) calculating information about an activity level of the individual based on the monitoring in (a) and (b);

(d) providing feedback to the individual during the athletic activity, wherein the feedback compares an intensity level that the individual is performing their activity at to a predetermined intensity level that was set by the individual prior to engaging in the athletic activity; and

(e) providing an input to the electronic game based on the information calculated in (c), wherein the input affects a game score.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the feedback is further based on the information calculated in (c).

34. The method of claim 32, wherein a color is associated with the predetermined intensity level, and wherein the feedback conveys the color to the individual.