Modular personal network systems and methods

• US 7,670,263 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2003
• Issued: 03/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Caron Ellis, Michael David Ellis
• Inventors: Ellis, Caron, Ellis, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US10/645,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20040102931A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,386 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 601/23, 434/247, 342352-356, 34235701-35709
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/008 Hand articles fastened to the wrist or to the arm or to the leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0833 Measuring rate of oxygen consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• 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 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0661 arranged on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 : Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 : with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• 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 2220/17 : 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 2220/22 : Stride length
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 : Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 : with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• 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 2225/60 : Apparatus used in water
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/685 : for electronic devices, e.g. phone, PDA, GPS device, notebook
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/04 : heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/202 : glucose
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/207 : P-O2, i.e. partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 : blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/42 : rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 : temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/65 : skin conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/70 : body fat
• 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 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• 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: G06F 11/328 : Computer systems status display G06F11/327 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/40 : Data acquisition and logging for input to computer G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 : Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0092 : Nutrition
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/02 : with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 : with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 : for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/00 : ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 : relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• 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 20/60 : relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 : Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0236 : Filtering by address, protocol, port number or service, e.g. IP-address or URL
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 : for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1408 : by monitoring network traffic monitoring network traffic per se H04L43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 : Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 : including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 : Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 : Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry

Abstract

We have disclosed a modular personal network (MPN) that includes multiple devices that may be worn, carried, or used in close proximity to a user. The devices communicate wirelessly. Functions of the MPN may be modified by adding or removing components. The MPN may communicate with a personal computer. General purpose devices may include a control unit, a display, a user input, and an audio output. The MPN may provide a variety of functions, including time, communication, entertainment, organization, guidance, athletic, medical, travel, outdoors, identity, security, and military.

Claims

1. A wireless network for generating personal data, current performance data, and training performance tracking data of an athlete, comprising:

a heart rate data sensor device that is adapted to be worn on an athlete'"'"'s chest during mobile athletic activity and is configured to wirelessly transmit a heart rate output that is representative of a current heart rate of the athlete;

a speed data sensor device that is adapted to be in a physical relationship with the athlete in which the speed data sensor device moves with the athlete'"'"'s mobile athletic activity and is configured to receive Global Positioning System (GPS) information, and to wirelessly transmit a speed of movement output that is representative of the current speed of movement of the athlete;

a display device comprising a first wireless receiver, wherein the display device is adapted to be worn on the wrist of the athlete and is configured to receive the heart rate output and the speed of movement output using the first wireless receiver, and to display the current heart rate identified by the heart rate data sensor device and the current speed of movement identified by the speed data sensor; and

a removable storage device comprising a second wireless receiver, wherein the storage device is adapted to be worn separately from the display device and to be in a physical relationship with the athlete in which the storage device moves with the athlete'"'"'s mobile athletic activity and is configured to provide one or more functions, the functions including the storage device being configured to receive using the second wireless receiver the current heart rate output from the heart rate data sensor device and the current speed of movement output from the speed data sensor device and to store a log of data representative of the current heart rate and the current speed of movement for tracking the mobile athletic activity for different sets, wherein the storage device is configured to be modularly removable from the wireless network to allow the athlete to choose when to use the wireless network without the functions provided by the storage device.

2. The network of claim 1 wherein the storage device is adapted to be clipped to the athlete'"'"'s clothing.

3. The network of claim 1 wherein the storage device is adapted to be carried in a pocket of an article of clothing worn by the athlete.

4. The network of claim 1 wherein the storage device is further configured to operatively communicate with a personal computer of the athlete to download logged data.

5. The network of claim 1 wherein the display device is configured to display the current time and date.

6. The network of claim 1 wherein the speed data sensor is configured to wirelessly transmit geographic location information based on the GPS information.

7. The network of claim 6 wherein the storage device is configured to log geographic location information of the athlete when the geographic location information is received from the speed data sensor.

8. The network of claim 1 wherein the display device is programmable to switch the display device to receive the current heart rate output from another heart rate data sensor device and to switch the storage device to receive the current speed of movement output from another speed data sensor device.

9. The network of claim 1 wherein the storage device comprises random access memory for storing the logged information.

10. The network of claim 1 wherein the storage device is programmable to be switched to receive the current heart rate output from another heart rate data sensor device and programmable to be switched to receive the current speed of movement output from another speed data sensor device.

11. The network of claim 10 wherein the storage device is user-programmable to receive the current heart rate output from a different heart rate data sensor.

12. The network of claim 10 wherein the storage device is user-programmable to receive the speed of movement output from a different speed data sensor.

13. The network of claim 1 further comprising additional data sensor devices that are each adapted to be in a physical relationship with the athlete in which the additional data sensor devices move with the athlete'"'"'s mobile athletic activity, and wherein the storage device and the display device are programmable to receive outputs from the additional sensor devices and to respectively display and store information representative of the additional outputs.

14. The network of claim 1 wherein the speed data sensor device is further configured to transmit a distance output that is representative of a distance traveled by the athlete.

15. The network of claim 1, wherein the current speed of movement and GPS information are used to guide the athlete by displaying guidance on the display device.

16. The network of claim 15, wherein the guidance comprises position, elevation, and speed information.

17. The network of claim 15, wherein the guidance comprises providing route guidance using the display device.

18. The network of claim 15, further comprising means for logging position data measured by the speed sensor monitor at intervals while following the route, saving the logged position data, and using the saved data for later guidance of the user while the user is wearing or carrying the position monitor.

19. The network of claim 18, wherein the guidance comprises recommending an athletic training route based on desired workout parameters.

20. The network of claim 15, wherein the guidance comprises comparing personal data collected during multiple sessions.

21. The network of claim 15, further comprising means for collecting and annotating position information with text, audio, video, and personal data.

22. The modular wireless network of claim 1 wherein the speed of movement output is position data.

23. The modular wireless network of claim 1 wherein the modular wireless network comprises a modular personal network.

24. A modular personal network for use by a user, comprising:

a global positioning system device configured to be worn or carried by the user comprising a GPS receiver configured to receive information from global positioning system satellites and a first wireless transmitter configured to send information received using the GPS receiver;

a heart rate monitor configured to be worn by the user comprising a heart sensing device configured to detect the user'"'"'s heart beats and a second wireless transmitter configured to send information about the sensed heart beats;

a user interface device comprising a first wireless receiver, wherein the user interface device configured to be worn on the user'"'"'s wrist comprising a first wireless receiver configured to receive information using the first wireless receiver from another device worn or carried by the user and a display device configured to display information received by the first wireless receiver; and

a removable data-logging device comprising a second wireless receiver, wherein the data-logging configured to be worn or carried by the user separately from the display device comprising a second wireless receiver configured to provide one or more functions, the functions including the storage device being configured to receive using the second wireless receiver information transmitted from another device worn or carried by the user and a memory device configured to store information received by the second wireless receiver, wherein the data-logging device is configured to be to be modularly removable from the wireless network to allow the user to choose when to use the wireless network without the functions provided by the storage device.

25. The modular personal network of claim 24 wherein the user interface device is configured to display position information received from the global positioning system receiver on the display device and to ignore information that is received from an outside device that is outside the modular personal network.

26. The modular personal network of claim 24 wherein the user interface device is configured to display speed information received from the global positioning system receiver on the display device.

27. The modular personal network of claim 24 wherein the user interface device is configured to display heart rate information received from the heart rate monitor on the display device.

28. The modular personal network of claim 24 wherein the user interface device is configured to allow the display of information from devices designed after the manufacture of the user interface device.

29. The modular personal network of claim 24 wherein the data-logging device is configured to store position information received from the global positioning system receiver in the memory device.

30. The modular personal network of claim 24 wherein the data-logging device is configured to store speed information received from the global positioning system receiver in the memory device.

31. The modular personal network of claim 24 wherein the data-logging device is configured to store heart rate information received from the heart rate monitor in the memory device.

32. The modular personal network of claim 24 wherein the data-logging device is configured to allow the storing of information from devices designed after the manufacture of the data-logging device.

33. The modular personal network of claim 24 further comprising a computer and a connection path in which information stored in the data-logging device is sent to the computer using the connection path.

34. The modular personal network of claim 33 further comprising a software application configured to display information received from the data-logging device.

35. The modular personal network of claim 34 wherein the information displayed by the software application comprises information received by the data-logging device from a plurality of other devices.

36. The modular personal network of claim 35 wherein the information displayed by the software application comprises heart rate information and speed information.

37. The network of claim 24, wherein the current speed of movement and GPS information are used to guide the athlete by displaying guidance on the display device.

38. The network of claim 37, wherein the current speed of movement and GPS information are used to guide the athlete by displaying guidance on the display device.

39. The modular personal network of claim 37, wherein the guidance comprises position, elevation, and speed information.

40. The modular personal network of claim 37, wherein the guidance comprises providing route guidance using the display device.

41. The modular personal network of claim 40, further comprising means for logging the position data measured by the position monitor at intervals while following the route, saving the logged position data, and using the saved data for later guidance of the user while the user is wearing or carrying the position monitor.

42. The modular personal network of claim 37, wherein the guidance comprises recommending an athletic training route based on desired workout parameters.

43. The modular personal network of claim 37, wherein the guidance comprises comparing personal data collected during multiple sessions.

44. The modular personal network of claim 37, further comprising means for collecting and annotating position information with text, audio, video, and personal data.

45. The modular personal network of claim 24 wherein the global positioning system device, the heart rate monitor, the user interface device, and the data-logging device are modular with respect to one another.

46. A method of displaying personal data on a personal computer with a software application, comprising:

generating by a network of multiple network components the personal data wherein each network component is configured to be added or removed modularly from the network,

receiving at the personal computer heart rate data collected by a first wireless device worn by a user,

receiving at the personal computer speed data collected by a second wireless device that is configured to be modularly removable from the network to allow the user to choose when to use the network without functions provided by the second wireless device and that is worn or carried by the user separately from a display device,

and simultaneously displaying the received heart rate data and the received speed data using the personal computer.

47. A method of displaying personal data on a personal computer with a software application comprising:

generating by a network of multiple network components the personal data wherein each network component is configured to be added or removed modularly from the network,

receiving at the personal computer heart rate data and speed data collected by a wireless device that is configured to be modularly removable from the network to allow the user to choose when to use the network without functions provided by the wireless device and that is worn by a user separately from a display device, and

simultaneously displaying the received heart rate data and the received speed data using the personal computer.