Methods and apparatus for virtual competition

• US 9,108,098 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2009
• Issued: 08/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fox Factory Incorporated
• Inventors: Galasso, Mario, Allinger, Wesley E., Haugen, David M., Kaswen, Robert David, Fitzsimmons, Mark Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Hylinski, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US12/626,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20100160014A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,092 Days
• Field of Search: 434/252, 434/20, 434/38, 434/29, 434/62, 434/69, 482/8, 382/103, 345/419, 345/473, 345/8
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0009 Computerised real time comparison with previous movements or motion sequences of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0691 Maps, e.g. yardage maps or electronic maps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/06 with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movementsupport stands for bicycles A63B69/16; unicycles B62K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• 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 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• 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 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 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• 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: A63F 13/216 : using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/525 : Changing parameters of virtual cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6661 : for changing the position of the virtual camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/143 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 : Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 : Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 : Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0252 : based on events or environment, e.g. weather or festivals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 : based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0265 : Vehicular advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 : based on user profile or attribute
• 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

Abstract

A system configured to be coupled with a participant of an activity. The system comprises: a participant activity monitoring unit configured for monitoring a performance of the activity by the participant; an activity information module configured for storing performance information corresponding to the activity; and a participant performance correlator configured for delivering comparative performance data based on the monitored performance of the activity by the participant and the stored performance information.

Claims

1. A system configured to be coupled with a participant of an activity, said system comprising:

a participant activity monitoring unit configured for monitoring a performance of said activity by said participant, wherein said activity is performed in varied locations throughout said performance;

an activity information module configured for storing performance information corresponding to said activity;

a participant performance correlator configured for delivering comparative performance data based on monitored performance of said activity by said participant and stored performance information; and

a feedback module configured for providing real time re-creation information to said participant based on said comparative performance data and correlating a digital video feed comprising one or more monitored performances with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) altitude and map log, wherein said real time re-creation information comprises a real time re-creation of a performance of said activity from a camera perspective, wherein said correlating comprises placing digital Global Positioning System (GPS) data in said digital video feed at a GPS sampling rate.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said participant performance correlator is configured for delivering comparative performance data to said participant.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said participant performance correlator is configured for delivering comparative performance data to one other than said participant.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a locator configured for determining a location of said participant during said activity.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a timer configured for monitoring a time of a location of said participant during said activity.

6. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause said computer to perform a method for performing a comparison of multiple performances of an activity, said method comprising:

receiving data associated with one or more monitored performances of said activity, wherein said activity is performed in varied locations throughout said performance;

storing performance information corresponding to said activity;

providing comparative performance data to a participant based on received data associated with said one or more monitored performances and stored performance information; and

providing real time re-creation information, to said participant, wherein said real time re-creation information is based on said comparative performance data and correlating a digital video feed comprising one or more monitored performances with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) altitude and map log, wherein said real time re-creation information comprises a real time re-creation of a performance of said activity from a camera perspective, wherein said correlating comprises placing digital Global Positioning System (GPS) data in said digital video feed at a GPS sampling rate.

7. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein said providing comparative performance data to a participant based on received data associated with said one or more monitored performances and stored performance information forms a basis of a virtual race competition.

8. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein said performing a comparison of multiple performances of an activity further comprises:

rating said one or more monitored performances.

9. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein said rating said one or more monitored performances further comprises:

selecting a winner of said one or more monitored performances.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein said providing comparative performance data to a participant based on received data associated with said one or more monitored performances and stored performance information comprises:

providing recommendations regarding appropriate component selection for improved performance of said activity.

11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 6, wherein said performing a comparison of multiple performances of an activity further comprises:

providing one or more downloadable participatory activities.

12. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause said computer to perform a method for re-creating a performance of an activity from a camera perspective, said method comprising:

receiving a video feed associated with one or more monitored performances of said activity, wherein said activity is performed in varied locations throughout said performance;

receiving data associated with said one or more monitored performances;

storing performance information corresponding to said activity;

delivering comparative performance data based on monitored performance of said activity by a participant and stored performance information;

correlating a digital video feed with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) altitude and map log, wherein said correlating comprises;

placing digital Global Positioning System (GPS) data in said digital video feed at a GPS sampling rate; and

based on said comparative performance data and said correlating, generating a real time re-creation of a performance of said activity from a camera perspective.

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein said real time re-creation of a performance of an activity from a camera perspective further comprises:

presenting to a participant of said activity a rider perspective video.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein said real time re-creation of a performance of an activity from a camera perspective further comprises:

presenting to a participant of said activity a split screen graphic showing an altitude and map aside said camera perspective.

15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein said re-creating a performance of an activity from a camera perspective further comprises:

correlating said real time re-creation of a ride from a camera perspective with a global map system such that correlated video feed and data is linked to a real location.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein said real time re-creation of a performance of an activity from a camera perspective further comprises:

providing comparative performance data to a participant based on received data associated with said one or more monitored performances and stored performance information.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein said providing comparative performance data to a participant based on received data associated with said one or more monitored performances and stored performance information forms a basis of a virtual race competition.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein said providing comparative performance data to a participant based on received data associated with said one or more monitored performances and stored performance information comprises

providing a recommendation corresponding to improved performance of said activity.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein said providing comparative performance data to a participant based on received data associated with said one or more monitored performances and stored performance information comprises:

providing feedback to a user while said user is participating in said activity.