Personal training device using GPS data

• US 7,601,098 B1
• Filed: 11/19/2004
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• 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:
  US10/993,175
• Time in Patent Office: 1,789 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 342/357.06, 342/357.17, 340/539.13
• 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 personal training device comprising:

a location determining component adapted to determine a geographic location of the device;

a user interface including an output portion adapted to communicate an output and an input portion adapted to receive an input; and

a processor adapted to receive geographic location information from the location determining component, to receive course segment information from the user interface, to receive goal information from the user interface, to calculate performance information using the geographic location information and the course segment information, to compare the performance information with the goal information, and to provide the output to the output portion of the user interface.

2. The personal training device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the location determining component is a GPS receiver for use with a global positioning system.

3. The personal training device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the output relates to performance.

4. The personal training device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the output represents a difference between the goal information and the performance information.

5. The personal training device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the processor is further adapted to create a virtual competitor, and to communicate competitor information via the output portion of the user interface, wherein the competitor information related to the performance information.

6. The personal training device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to receive training interval information from the user interface.

7. The personal training device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the training interval information relates to the goal information.

8. The personal training device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the processor is further adapted to automatically store performance information at a given distance interval.

9. The personal training device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the processor is further adapted to calculate performance information relating to an interval.

10. The personal training device as set forth in claim 9, wherein the output relates to performance and to the interval.

11. The personal training device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the goal information includes performance threshold information.

12. The personal training device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the processor calculates the performance information using the threshold information.

13. The personal training device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a data interface including an input portion adapted to receive a data input from a computing device and an output portion adapted to communicate a data output to a computing device.

14. The personal training device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a memory element adapted to receive information from the processor, and to store information received from the processor.

15. The personal training device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the processor is further adapted to perform statistical and historical analyses on information stored in the memory element.

16. The personal training device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the information is geographical location information.

17. The personal training device as set forth in claim 16, wherein the processor is further adapted to automatically store the information when a timer function is started, when a timer function is stopped, and at a specified distance interval.

18. The personal training device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the processor is further adapted to calculate position information, and to communicate the position information via the output portion of the user interface.

19. The personal training device as set forth in claim 18, wherein the position information includes a map with a location marker.

20. The personal training device as set forth in claim 18, wherein the position information includes a heading.

21. The personal training device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an audio component adapted to communicate audible training information.

22. The personal training device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an altimeter adapted to provide altitude information to the processor.

23. A personal training device comprising:

a location determining component for determining a location of the device;

a user interface for receiving inputs and communicating outputs; and

a processor for receiving data corresponding to the location of the device, for receiving goal information related to a course segment from a user of the device, for calculating performance information using the location data, for comparing the performance information with the goal information, and for providing an output to the user interface.

24. The personal training device as set forth in claim 23, further comprising an altimeter adapted to provide altitude information to the processor.

25. The personal training device as set forth in claim 23, wherein the processor is further adapted to receive training interval information from the user interface and to calculate performance information relating to an interval.