Performance monitoring apparatus and casing therefor

• US 8,831,538 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2010
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dayton Technologies Limited
• Original Assignee: Dayton Technologies Limited
• Inventors: Yuen, Paul Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): HANNON, CHRISTIAN A
• Application Number:
  US13/499,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20120252544A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,440 Days
• Field of Search: 455/556.1, 455/557, 4555751-5759, 455 901- 903
• US Class Current: 455/90.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/74 Atmospheric pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/75 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/76 Wind conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/202 glucose
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/207 P-O2, i.e. partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/20 Swimming
• 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 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/16 for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/00 : Measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, persons, animals or other moving solid bodies, e.g. using odometers, using pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 : involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 : by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724098 : Interfacing with an on-board device of a vehicle for hands-free speaking in vehicles H04M1/6075
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 : including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 : Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

A performance monitoring apparatus comprising an assembly of a performance monitoring module and a general purpose portable telecommunications device such as a mobile telephone or mobile smart phone connected for data communication mounted on a common casing. The performance monitoring module is adapted for receiving performance signals from at least one performance sensor and for converting the performance signals into performance data. The general purpose portable telecommunications device is configured to be activate-able to cause the performance monitoring module to transfer performance data to the general purpose portable telecommunications device. The common casing comprises mounting means for mounting onto a support surface. This module is adapted for cooperative operation with a general purpose portable telecommunications device to expand its processing and display power while maintaining a low cost simple design and compactness.

Claims

1. A performance monitoring apparatus comprising:

an assembly of a performance monitoring module and a general purpose portable telecommunications device which are connected for data communication and a common casing to receive said assembly,

wherein the performance monitoring module is configured to receive performance signals from at least one performance sensor and to convert the performance signals into performance data, wherein the general purpose portable telecommunications device is configured to be activate-able to cause the performance monitoring module to transfer performance data to the general purpose portable telecommunications device,

wherein the common casing comprises mounting means for mounting said assembly onto sports equipment or a user,

wherein the common casing comprises a first receptacle for receiving the performance monitoring module and a second receptacle for receiving the portable telecommunications device, and the first and second receptacles are in communication via an inter-receptacle aperture defined by a bridge member on the common casing, and

wherein the bridge member is arranged also to latch the assembly of the performance monitoring module and the general purpose portable telecommunications device on the common casing.

2. A performance monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the performance monitoring module and the general purpose portable telecommunications device are mechanically connected in a mating relationship, and the common casing securely receives said assembly with said performance monitoring module and said general purpose portable telecommunications device in mechanically mated connection.

3. A performance monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the performance monitoring module comprises a protruding mechanical adapter for making a mating connection with the portable telecommunications device, and wherein the mechanical adapter extends through the inter-receptacle aperture when the performance monitoring module is seated in the first receptacle.

4. A performance monitoring apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the protruding mechanical adapter is received in the inter-receptacle aperture in a closely-fitted manner.

5. A performance monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the common casing is a reclose-able waterproof or watertight casing.

6. A performance monitoring apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the common casing further comprises a resilient adapter seat which is shaped to squarely seat the portable telecommunication in the second receptacle.

7. A performance monitoring apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the adapter seat is detachable so that different adapters are usable for seating different models of portable telecommunications devices in the second receptacle.

8. A performance monitoring apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the common casing is waterproof, with first and second receptacles individually sealed for water tightness.

9. A performance monitoring apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the common casing comprises a first moulded casing part on which the first and second receptacles are moulded and a second moulded casing part comprising a transparent window;

wherein the second casing part is detachably attachable to the first moulded casing part by a clamping means, and forms a watertight enclosure enclosing the performance monitoring apparatus upon clamping.

10. A performance monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the performance monitoring module is a bicycle computer module.

11. A portable casing for receiving a performance monitoring apparatus, the performance monitoring apparatus comprising:

an assembly including a performance monitoring module and a general purpose portable telecommunications device which are connected for data communication,

wherein the performance monitoring module is configured to receive performance signals from at least one performance sensor and to convert the performance signals into performance data,

wherein the general purpose portable telecommunications device is configured to be activate-able to cause the performance monitoring module to transfer performance data to the general purpose portable telecommunications device,

wherein the portable casing is configured to securely receive said assembly with said performance monitoring module and said general purpose portable telecommunications device in mechanically mated connection and comprises a bicycle mounting means for mounting onto a bicycle,

wherein the casing comprises a first receptacle for receiving the performance monitoring module and a second receptacle for receiving the portable telecommunications device, and the first and second receptacles are in communication via an inter-receptacle aperture defined by a bridge member on the common casing, and

wherein the bridge member is arranged also to latch the assembly of the performance monitoring module and the general purpose portable telecommunications device on the common casing.

12. A portable casing according to claim 11, wherein the casing comprises a first moulded casing part on which the first and second receptacles are moulded and a second moulded casing part comprising a transparent window;

wherein the second casing part is detachably attachable to the first moulded casing part by a clamping means, and forms a watertight enclosure enclosing the performance monitoring apparatus upon clamping.

13. A portable casing according to claim 11, wherein the casing comprises a first moulded casing part on which the first and second receptacles are moulded and a second moulded casing part comprising a transparent window;

wherein the second casing part is detachably attachable to the first moulded casing part by a clamping means, and forms a watertight enclosure enclosing the performance monitoring apparatus upon clamping.