Interactive athletic equipment system

• US 9,643,052 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2014
• Issued: 05/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Tchao, Michael, Robinette, Christopher A., Nims, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Ganesan, Sundhara
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANDERSON, MEGAN M
• Application Number:
  US14/521,676
• Publication Number:
  US 20150045919A1
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482901-902, 434247, 434255, 700 91- 92
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• 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 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• 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 24/0084 Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0616 Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/23 Recognition of whole body movements, e.g. for sport training
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Systems and techniques for the collection and display of athletic information. Athletic data relating to a single person or group of people is collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed at a desired remote location so that the person or people can review and critique their performance. In addition, athletic data for multiple persons can be collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed to a user at a desired remote location, so that the user can compare his or her athletic activities to others.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an athletic performance module configured to;

receive, from a wirelessly-connected first sensor worn on an appendage of a user, athletic activity data associated with daily activities of the user when the first sensor is not connected to the athletic performance module;

measure, using a second sensor, athletic activity performed by a user when the first sensor is wirelessly-connected to the athletic performance module; and

a processor configured to;

determine a training program for achieving a specified goal, the training program comprising a plurality of tasks to be completed on a defined schedule;

determine, from the received athletic activity data, an amount of athletic activity of the user when not connected to the athletic performance module;

adapt the training program to compensate for the determined amount of athletic activity of the user when not connected to the athletic performance module; and

determine whether the user has completed at least one task of the plurality of tasks based on the athletic activity measured by the athletic performance module.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one task is specified in a common unit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one task specifies a type of athletic activity corresponding to the athletic performance module.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the athletic performance module includes an elliptical device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the athletic performance module includes a running device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the training program is defined by a trainer.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a display module configured to display a message from the trainer.

8. A method comprising:

determining a training program for achieving a specified goal, the training program comprising a plurality of tasks to be completed on a defined schedule, wherein at least one task of the plurality of tasks includes athletic activity using an athletic performance device;

receiving, from a wirelessly-connected first sensor worn on an appendage of a user, athletic activity data associated with daily activities of the user when the first sensor is not connected to the athletic performance device;

determining, from the received athletic activity data, a first amount of athletic activity of the user when not connected to the athletic performance device;

determining, using a second sensor, a second amount of athletic activity performed using the athletic performance device when the first sensor is wirelessly-connected to the athletic performance device;

adapting the training program to compensate for the determined first amount of athletic activity; and

determining whether the user has completed the at least one task based on the second amount of athletic activity performed using the athletic performance device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one task is specified in a common unit.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one task specifies a type of athletic activity corresponding to the athletic performance device.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the athletic performance device includes an elliptical device.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the athletic performance device includes a running device.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the training program is defined by a trainer.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying a message from the trainer.