Systems and methods for providing audio and visual cues via a portable electronic device

• US 9,646,137 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2011
• Issued: 05/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Gilley, Glenn Gregory, Brody, Sarah A., Ubillos, Randall Hayes, Pacurariu, Mihnea Calin, Dorogusker, Jesse Lee, Borchers, Robert Edward, Ginsburg, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Nunez, Jordany
• Application Number:
  US13/187,140
• Publication Number:
  US 20110281687A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,120 Days
• Field of Search: 715716, 482 8, 600300
• 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 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• 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 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 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/755 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• 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 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• 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

Methods and systems for providing a lifestyle companion system are provided. The lifestyle companion system can provide a platform to conduct a user interview. Based on the user interview responses, the system can suggest activities, references, and/or plug-in modules. During performance of activities, the system can provide audio and/or visual cues related to the activities and collect data indicative of the user'"'"'s performance. Based on the collected data, the system can dynamically adapt the user'"'"'s goals and/or activities the user is performing or will perform. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lifestyle companion system of the present invention can be applied to fitness, nutrition, and/or medical modules. The system also can be used to facilitate synchronous group activities.

Claims

1. A method for a portable electronic device to interact with an exercise machine, the method comprising:

accepting first sensor data with the portable electronic device from at least a first sensor integrated within the exercise machine during use of the exercise machine by a user;

accepting second sensor data with the portable electronic device from at least a second sensor attached to the user during the use of the exercise machine by the user, wherein the second sensor is a duplicative data source for the first sensor for a particular type of data during the use of the exercise machine by the user;

identifying, using the portable electronic device, a particular one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data as the more accurate sensor data for the particular type of data; and

generating, using the portable electronic device, a control signal for influencing operation of the exercise machine based on the identified particular one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data but not based on the other one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the exercise machine is a treadmill.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular type of data comprises a performance metric of the user during the use of the exercise machine by the user.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the performance metric comprises a calorie count of the user during the use of the exercise machine by the user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying comprises comparing, using the portable electronic device, each one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data to historic data of the user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying comprises comparing, using the portable electronic device, each one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data to at least one of a reference value and a calibration value.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the control signal from the portable electronic device to the exercise machine for influencing the operation of the exercise machine during the use of the exercise machine by the user.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying comprises receiving from the user a selection of the particular one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data as the more accurate sensor data for the particular type of data.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying comprises the portable electronic device automatically selecting the particular one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data as the more accurate sensor data for the particular type of data.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying the particular one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data comprises identifying the particular one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data during the use of the exercise machine by the user.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the generating the control signal comprises generating the control signal during the use of the exercise machine by the user.

12. A portable electronic device comprising:

a communication module configured to;

accept first sensor data from at least a first sensor integrated within an exercise machine during use of the exercise machine by a user; and

accept second sensor data from at least a second sensor that is not integrated within the exercise machine during the use of the exercise machine by the user, wherein the second sensor is a duplicative data source for the first sensor for a particular type of data during the use of the exercise machine by the user; and

a control module configured to;

identify a particular one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data as the more accurate sensor data for the particular type of data; and

generate a control signal for influencing operation of the exercise machine based on the identified particular one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data but not based on the other one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data.

13. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the second sensor is integrated within the portable electronic device.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the communication module is further configured to transmit the control signal from the portable electronic device to the exercise machine for influencing the operation of the exercise machine during the use of the exercise machine by the user.

15. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the particular type of data comprises a performance metric of the user during the use of the exercise machine by the user.

16. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the performance metric comprises a calorie count of the user during the use of the exercise machine by the user.

17. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the control module is configured to identify the particular one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data by comparing each one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data to historic data of the user.

18. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the control module is configured to identify the particular one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data by comparing each one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data to at least one of a reference value and a calibration value.

19. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the control module is configured to identify the particular one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data by receiving from the user a selection of the particular one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data as the more accurate sensor data for the particular type of data.

20. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the control module is configured to identify the particular one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data by automatically selecting the particular one of the accepted first sensor data and the accepted second sensor data as the more accurate sensor data for the particular type of data.