System and method for utilizing a bicycle computer to monitor athletic performance

• US 20050195094A1
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: White, Russell W.
• Application Number:
  US10/794,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20050195094A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.01
• 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 2024/0071 Distinction between different activities, movements, or kind of sports performed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative 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 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• 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 2244/20 Swimming
• 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 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: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/10 : by using measurements of speed or acceleration G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/002 : for cycles
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 : Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 3/08 : Use of electric radiation detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 : Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• 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: H04B 1/3822 : specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 : Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 : using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 : for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 : with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 : including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 : including a wireless LAN interface
• 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: H04W 84/10 : Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for utilizing a bicycle computer to monitor athletic performance. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a housing component at least partially defining an enclosure. A local area wireless transceiver capable of receiving a signal from a sensor coupled to a bicycle may be located within the enclosure. A performance engine may also be located within the enclosure and may be communicatively coupled to the local area wireless transceiver. In operation, the performance engine may utilize the signal from the sensor to generate a performance metric like current speed, distance traveled, or cadence. The system may also include an output mechanism such as a display device associated with the housing component. The output mechanism or display device may be capable of presenting the performance metric to a user. In preferred embodiments, the system may also include a wide area wireless transceiver located within the enclosure. This wide area wireless transceiver may allow the user to send and receive information across a geographically disperse network such as a cellular telephone network.

Claims

1. A performance monitoring system comprising:

a housing component at least partially defining an enclosure;

a local area wireless transceiver located within the enclosure and operable to receive a signal from a bicycle motion sensor;

a performance engine located within the enclosure and communicatively coupled to the local area wireless transceiver, the performance engine operable to utilize the signal to generate a performance metric;

a display device associated with the housing component and operable to present the performance metric to a user; and

a wide area wireless transceiver located within the enclosure and operable to receive an incoming telephone call for the user.

2. The system of claim 1, farther comprising a cradle formed to receive the housing component, the cradle comprising a coupling mechanism formed to securely mount the cradle to a bicycle.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising the sensor, wherein the sensor comprises a local area Bluetooth communication device operable to communicate the signal to the local area wireless transceiver.

4. (Original The system of claim 1, wherein a cellular telephone comprises then housing component, the local area wireless transceiver, the performance engine, the display device, and the wide area wireless transceiver.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the local area wireless transceiver is operable to communicate information using a spread spectrum technology in a frequency range greater than 2.3 GHz.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the wide area wireless transceiver is operable to communicate information using a code division multiple access technology.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the performance metric is selected form a group consisting of a cadence metric, a speed metric, and a distance metric.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a heart rate sensor operable to communicate heart rate information for the user to the local area wireless transceiver, wherein the performance engine is further operable to utilize the heart rate information to generate a heart rate metric.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising an audio player engine located within the enclosure, the audio player engine operable to play a file format selected from the group consisting of an MP3 file, a .WAV file, a MIDI file, and a .AU file.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a headset formed to couple to an ear of the user, the headset comprising a speaker assembly, a microphone assembly, and a wireless transceiver operable to participate in a Bluetooth Pair with the local area wireless transceiver.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a headset formed to couple to an ear of the user, the headset comprising a speaker assembly, a microphone assembly, and a wireless transceiver operable to participate in a Bluetooth pair with the local area wireless transceiver, and an audio player engine located within the enclosure, the audio player engine operable to play a file format selected from the group consisting of an MP3 file, a .WVAV file, a MDI file, and a .AU file, to generate a player signal representing music, wherein the local area wireless transceiver is operable to output the player signal via the Bluetooth pair to the headset such that the user can listen to the music.

12. A method of athletic performance monitoring, comprising:

receiving a signal corresponding to movement of a bicycle component;

generating a performance metric from the signal;

utilizing an output device to communicate the performance metric to a user;

receiving an incoming call signal indicating an incoming call to the user; and

outputting a call indicator with the output device to inform the user of the incoming call

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising storing a collection of performance metric information representing athletic performance generated during a period time.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving a request to communicate the collection of performance metric information;

and

communicating at least a portion of the collection of performance metric information in response to the request.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising utilizing a local area transceiver to wirelessly communicate the collection of performance metric information.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising accepting the incoming call.

17. The method of claim 12, fierier comprising:

receiving Caller Identification information associated with the incoming call; and

presenting the Caller Identification information on the output device.

18. A performance monitoring system, comprising:

a sensor comprising an output device and a mounting mechanism operable to secure the sensor to a member, the sensor operable detect a movement relatively to the member and to communicate a signal via the output device in response to detecting the movement;

a wireless telephone having a performance engine and a first input operable to receive the signal and a second input operable to receive an indication of an incoming telephone call, the performance engine operable to generate a performance metric in response to receipt of the signal; and

a cradle assembly formed to interact with a housing component of the wireless telephone and to secure the wireless telephone proximate to the sensor.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the member comprises a portion of a bicycle and the cradle is coupled to a different portion of the bicycle.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the cradle assembly comprises a fastening mechanism operable to secure the cradle assembly to a human body part.