Personal training device using GPS data

• US 7,566,290 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2004
• Issued: 07/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Downey, David J., Fisher, Claudette D., Olivier, Tracy L., Lovitt, John H., Brunk, Scott J., Moore, Ryan T., Lee, Wai C.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US11/021,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20050107216A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,678 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 600/483, 600/502, 702182-186, 702150-153, 702/176, 702/177, 701/200, 701/213
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• 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 2024/0071 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 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• 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 2244/20 Swimming
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• 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 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/10 together with the recording, indicating or registering of other data, e.g. of signs of identity
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/22 in connection with sports or games
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 : Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry

Abstract

A personal training device (10) adapted to assist a user in reaching performance goals, navigating, and accumulating performance statistics. In a preferred embodiment, the device broadly comprises a housing (10); an attachment mechanism (30); a GPS component (40); a user interface (50), including an input portion (52) and an output portion (54); a processor (60), including a timer (62) and a memory element (64); a data interface (70), including an input portion (72) and an output portion (74); an audio component (80); and a power supply (90). The device (10) is adapted to store goal information, monitor performance using GPS-derived data, and communicate performance information.

Claims

1. A device for motivating a user to reach their performance goals, the device comprising:

a memory for storing a downloaded performance profile of a previous exercise session of a real person rather than an arbitrary performance target;

a performance measurement component including a satellite navigation receiver operable to determine a current geographic location of the device;

a user input adapted to receive a user input corresponding to a specified geographic location;

a processor for receiving information relating to the user'"'"'s performance from the performance measurement component, comparing the current geographic location of the device to the specified geographic location of the device, calculating a distance traveled, determining a speed based on the distance traveled over time, and generating electronic output signals based on a comparison of the performance profile and a parameter selected from the group consisting of the user'"'"'s performance, the distance traveled, and the speed;

a display for displaying the comparison, the distance traveled and the speed;

an audio component for generating voice messages based on the electronic output signals when the current geographic location of the device corresponds to the specified geographic location;

a housing containing and protecting the performance measurement component, the processor, the display, and the audio component; and

an attachment mechanism for securing the housing to the user, thereby allowing the device to motivate the user during training.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the processor generates the electrical output signals according to an interval.

3. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the interval is based on time.

4. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the interval is based on distance.

5. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the voice messages instruct the user to modify their performance.

6. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the voice messages encourage the user to maintain their performance.

7. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the voice messages alert the user when a goal has been reached.

8. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the performance profile is based on a previous exercise session of the user and stored on the device during the previous exercise session rather than being entered by the user.

9. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the performance profile is based on a previous exercise session of a person other than the user.

10. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the performance profile is downloaded onto the device rather than being entered by the user.

11. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the performance profile is based on a previous exercise session of the user and stored on the device during the previous exercise session rather than being entered by the user.

12. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the person is not the user.

13. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the performance profile is downloaded onto the device rather than being entered by the user.