Sports electronic training system, and applications thereof

• US 20090047645A1
• Filed: 08/17/2007
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas International Marketing BV (Adidas AG)
• Original Assignee: Adidas International Marketing BV (Adidas AG)
• Inventors: Seydel, Roland G., Vincent, Stephen Michael, Tomlinson, Scott, Oleson, Mark Arthur, Dibenedetto, Christian, Vaterlaus, Amy Jones, Van Noy, Allen W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,702,430 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/258
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions

Abstract

A sports electronic training system, and applications thereof, are disclosed. In an embodiment, the system comprises at least one monitor and a portable electronic processing device for receiving data from the at least one monitor and providing feedback to an individual based on the received data. The monitor can be a motion monitor that measures an individual'"'"'s performance such as, for example, speed, pace and distance for a runner. Other monitors might include a heart rate monitor, a temperature monitor, an altimeter, et cetera. Feedback provided to a user typically includes, for example, training information such as whether the user is satisfying specific workout and/or training criteria. In an embodiment, the functionality of the sports electronic training system is enhanced by enabling the portable electronic processing device to interact with other devices and applications, for example, using the Internet.

Claims

1. A sports electronic training system, comprising:

a motion monitor; and

a portable electronic processing device in wireless communications with the motion monitor,

wherein the portable electronic processing device includes a virtual trainer program that assesses a fitness level of an individual and provides training feedback during a workout.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the motion monitor includes an accelerometer.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic processing device is a mobile telephone.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a watch in wireless communications with the portable electronic processing device.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a heart rate monitor in wireless communications with the portable electronic processing device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the heart rate monitor is attached to a chest strap that includes sensors for determining percent body fat.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the heart rate monitor uses blood flow to determine a heart rate.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic processing device plays music matched to a stride rate.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the motion monitor includes a winged-battery cap.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a sport ball that includes a motion monitor in wireless communications with the portable electronic processing device.

11. A method of providing training feedback to an individual, comprising:

(1) monitoring foot movement of the individual during a workout with an accelerometer;

(2) calculating a performance parameter based on the monitoring in (1);

(3) transmitting the performance parameter to a portable electronic processing device;

(4) comparing the performance parameter to a performance goal stored by the portable electronic processing device; and

(5) providing feedback to the individual if the performance parameter differs from the performance goal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein (2) comprises calculating a stride rate.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein (2) comprises calculating a pace.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein (2) comprises

determining a maximum acceleration value during a stride of the individual, and

calculating the performance parameter based on the maximum acceleration value.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein (2) comprises

determining a minimum acceleration value during a stride of the individual, and

calculating the performance parameter based on the minimum acceleration value.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein (4) comprises comparing the performance parameter to a performance goal that is based on an assessed fitness level for the individual.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein (4) comprises comparing the performance parameter to a performance goal that changes during the workout.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein (5) comprises providing visual feedback to the user.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein (5) comprises providing audio feedback to the user.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

(6) determining a heart rate for the individual;

(7) comparing the heart rate to a heart rate goal stored by the portable electronic processing device; and

(8) providing feedback to the individual if the heart rate differs from the heart rate goal.

21. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

(6) asking the individual questions during the workout; and

(7) providing feedback to the individual based on answers to the questions asked in (6).

22. A sports electronic training system, comprising:

a heart rate monitor; and

a portable electronic processing device in wireless communications with the heart rate monitor,

wherein the portable electronic processing device includes a virtual trainer program that assesses a fitness level of an individual and provides training feedback during a workout.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the portable electronic processing device is a mobile telephone.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the portable electronic processing device is an MP3 music file player.

25. The system of claim 22, further comprising a watch in wireless communications with the portable electronic processing device.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the watch is used to provide biofeedback.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the biofeedback comprises pressure pulsations.

28. The system of claim 22, wherein the heart rate monitor is attached to a chest strap that includes sensors for determining percent body fat.

29. A method of providing training feedback to an individual, comprising:

(1) monitoring movement of the individual during a workout with a plurality of accelerometers;

(2) calculating information about the movement of the individual based on the monitoring in (1);

(3) comparing the information calculated in (2) to information stored by a portable electronic processing device; and

(4) providing feedback to the individual based on the comparison in (3).

30. The method of claim 29, wherein (1) comprises monitoring movement of the individual'"'"'s feet.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein (1) comprises monitoring movement of the individual'"'"'s legs.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein (1) comprises monitoring movement of the individual'"'"'s wrists.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein (1) comprises monitoring movement of the individual'"'"'s arms.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein (2) comprises calculating running biomechanics information.

35. The method of claim 29, wherein (2) comprises calculating rotational acceleration values.

36. The method of claim 29, wherein (2) comprises calculating translational acceleration values.

37. The method of claim 29, wherein (3) comprises comparing the information after completion of the workout.

38. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

(5) asking the individual questions during the workout; and

(6) providing feedback to the individual based on answers to the questions asked in (5).