Sports monitoring system with location beacon

• US 9,814,937 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2016
• Issued: 11/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Adidas AG
• Inventors: Werner, Jon Harald, Dibenedetto, Christian, Black, Stephen John
• Primary Examiner(s): GALKA, LAWRENCE STEFAN
• Application Number:
  US15/184,638
• Publication Number:
  US 20160361600A1
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• 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 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 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• 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: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/48 by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

Apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring the performance of an individual during a fitness activity are disclosed. A method of monitoring the performance of a participant engaged in a fitness activity includes receiving a GPS signal during the fitness activity at a portable fitness device used by the participant; determining participant performance data based on the received GPS signal; at a stationary position beacon, transmitting location data associated with the location of the stationary position beacon; at a mobile participant receiver supported by the participant, receiving the location data from the stationary position beacon; and modifying the participant performance data based on the data received from the stationary position beacon.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring the performance of a participant engaged in a competitive race having a predetermined route, the system comprising:

a plurality of stationary position beacons positioned at predetermined locations along the predetermined route, each stationary position beacon comprising a race mat;

a plurality of transmitters, each transmitter coupled with one of the plurality of stationary position beacons; and

a designated race controller configured to communicate timing data to at least one of the plurality of stationary position beacons,

wherein each transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit time-stamped location data associated with the competitive race to a portable fitness device when the participant crosses over the race mat.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the time-stamped location data comprises a location of one of the plurality of stationary position beacons and a time at which the time-stamped location data is transmitted.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the time-stamped location data contributes to a determination of participant performance data.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the participant performance data comprises at least one of location, speed, pace, and distance.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the time-stamped location data contributes to a determination of a precise location of the participant.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each race mat comprises a substantially flat member disposed on a ground of the predetermined route.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein each race mat extends across a width of the predetermined route.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of transmitters is embedded in each race mat.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of transmitters is disposed on each race mat.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein each stationary position beacon further comprises a tower coupled with the race mat.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein each stationary position beacon further comprises a memory, a display, and a user input.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein each transmitter comprises an RFID transmitter.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the designated race controller is configured to operate the plurality of stationary position beacons.

14. A method of monitoring the performance of a participant engaged in a fitness activity, the method comprising:

receiving a GPS signal during the fitness activity at a portable fitness device;

determining performance data of the participant based on the GPS signal;

receiving a signal from a stationary position beacon;

modifying the performance data based on the signal from the stationary position beacon; and

sending an alert to a spectator based on the modified performance data,

wherein the alert indicates that the participant is within a predetermined metric of reaching the spectator.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving an alert from the spectator based on the modified performance data.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving an alert from the spectator based on the signal from the stationary position beacon.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the alert comprises a visual alert.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the alert comprises an audible alert.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the alert comprises a tactile alert.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the alert comprises a pre-recorded message.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the predetermined metric comprises a distance between the participant and the spectator.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the alert is sent when the participant passes the stationary position beacon.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein the modified performance data comprises at least one of location, speed, pace, and distance.

24. A method of monitoring the performance of a participant engaged in a fitness activity, the method comprising:

receiving a GPS signal during the fitness activity at a portable fitness device;

determining performance data of the participant based on the GPS signal;

receiving a signal from a stationary position beacon;

modifying the performance data based on the signal from the stationary position beacon; and

sending a tactile alert to a spectator based on the modified performance data.