Interfacing portable media devices and sports equipment

• US 8,047,966 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2008
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lambert, Debbie, Bolton, Lawrence, Krueger, Scott, Lydon, Gregory T., Dorogusker, Jesse, Schubert, Emily C., Hailey, Michael, Ginsburg, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ganesan; Sundhara M
• Application Number:
  US12/238,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20090221404A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1, 482/4, 482/8, 482/9, 482/51, 482/901, 482/902
• US Class Current: 482/9
• 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 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0683 Input by handheld remote control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• 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 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• 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 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 : based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]

Abstract

Circuits, methods, and apparatus that allow sports or other equipment, such as gym or other cardio equipment, to write data to a media player. Examples further provide the uploading of this data to a computer and third-party website. To monitor progress, the third-party website can be used to track workout data over time. The third party-website can also collect data from other users, which is particularly useful for providing a competitive environment. This data can then be graphically displayed in various ways to provide encouragement.

Claims

1. A method of providing competitive workout data comprising, with a first item of sports equipment:

establishing a first communication link with a first media player;

receiving media from the first media player through the first communication link;

providing the media to a user;

receiving user profile data from the media player;

generating first workout data, wherein the first workout data depends at least in part on the user profile data;

writing the first workout data to the first media player;

receiving second workout data directly from a second item of sports equipment; and

displaying information based on the first workout data and the second workout data.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving control information from a user that controls the media from the first media player.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing media to the user through a headphone jack, speakers, or a display.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first item of sports equipment is a treadmill.

5. The method according to claim 1 where the second workout data is received from the second item of sports equipment prior to receiving the first workout data.

6. The method according to claim 1 where the second workout data is received from the second item of sports equipment contemporaneously with receiving the first workout data.

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising writing the second workout data to the first media player.

8. A method of providing competitive workout data comprising, with a first portable media player:

establishing a first communication link with a first item of sports equipment;

providing media to the item of sports equipment;

providing user profile data to the item of sports equipment;

receiving first workout data from the first item of sports equipment, wherein the first workout data depends at least in part on the user profile data;

storing the first workout data;

receiving second workout data from a second portable media player; and

providing the second workout data to the first item of sports equipment.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the media comprises either or both of music and video.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the second workout data is generated substantially contemporaneously by a second item of sports equipment.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising receiving media control data from the first item of sports equipment.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the second workout data is received from the second portable media player contemporaneously with the first workout data.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the second workout data is received from the second portable media player prior to receiving the first workout data.