JP2015531904A - Retail training applications - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided that can be used to promote products that include activity sensors. Users are encouraged to compete with each other while performing physical activities in the store. Physical activity is performed while wearing a product that includes an attached or implanted sensor. Data generated by the sensor is used to generate a leaderboard. Leaderboards can be displayed near products offered for sale.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to US Patent Application No. 13 / 538,832, filed June 29, 2012 entitled "Retail Training Application". The disclosure of that application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and forms part thereof.

  Exercise and fitness are becoming increasingly popular, and the benefits from such activities are well known. Various types of technology are integrated into fitness and other athletic activities. For example, for use in fitness activities, MP3 or other audio players, radios, portable televisions, DVD players or other video playback devices, watches, GPS systems, pedometers, cell phones, pagers, pagers A wide variety of portable electronic devices can be used. Many fitness enthusiasts or exercise practitioners use their devices when exercising or training to maintain fun, provide performance data, or stay in touch with others. One or more of them are used. Such users have also been interested in recording their athletic activities and associated metrics. Thus, several sensors may be used for detecting, storing and / or transmitting athletic performance information. However, often athletic performance information is presented in a universal form or based on overall athletic activity. Exercisers may be interested in obtaining additional information about their training.

  In the following, a general overview of exemplary aspects is presented and an understanding of an exemplary embodiment is provided. This summary is not an extensive overview. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a comprehensive manner as an introduction to the more detailed description provided further below.

  One or more aspects describe systems, apparatus, computer readable media, and methods for tracking user performance metrics during an exercise session.

  In some exemplary aspects, an input specifying a user attribute is processed, a performance zone is adjusted based on the user attribute, and data generated by at least one of an accelerometer and a force sensor is received. The system, apparatus, computer readable medium, and method may be configured to determine whether the data is in a performance zone and output the determination.

  In some exemplary aspects, the system, apparatus, computer readable medium, and method are performed by sensors (eg, accelerometers, force sensors, temperature sensors, heart rate monitors, etc.) when a user performs athletic movements. Receiving the generated data and comparing the data with comparison data of a plurality of play styles to determine a particular one of the play styles that best matches the data.

  In some exemplary aspects, the system, apparatus, computer readable medium, and method receive data generated by a force sensor that indicates weight distribution during execution of a plurality of exercise tasks, Processing a first input indicating successful completion, associating a first weight distribution at a time prior to the first input with successful completion of the exercise task, unsuccessful completion of the exercise task , And associating a second weight distribution at a time prior to the second input with the unsuccessful completion of the exercise task.

  In some exemplary aspects, the system, apparatus, computer readable medium, and method are singularities corresponding to acceleration and force measurements measured by a first user performing a sequence of events. move) receiving data, receiving player data from at least one of the accelerometer and force sensor by monitoring a second user attempting to execute the sequence of events, and the player May include generating a similarity metric that indicates how similar the data is to the skill data.

  In some exemplary aspects, a system, apparatus, computer readable medium, and method receive data generated by at least one of an accelerometer and a force sensor, and compare the data with jump data. Determining that the data is consistent with the jump, processing the data to determine a lift time, landing time, and loft time, and calculating a vertical jump based on the loft time.

  Other aspects and features are described throughout this disclosure.

  For an understanding of an example embodiment, an example will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a personal training system according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a personal training system according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of a sensor system according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of a sensor system according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example of computer interaction with at least one sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example of computer interaction with at least one sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 is an illustration that illustrates an example of a pod sensor that can be embedded and removed from a shoe according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a wearing configuration for a computer according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustration that illustrates an example of a non-wearing configuration for a computer according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustration that illustrates an example of a non-wearing configuration for a computer according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example of a graphical user interface (GUI) display presented by a display screen of a computer according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example of performance metrics for user selection according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustration that illustrates an example of calibration of a sensor according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustration that illustrates an example of calibration of a sensor according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustration that illustrates an example of calibration of a sensor according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a GUI that presents information related to a session according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates an example display of a GUI that provides a user with information about a user's performance metrics during a session according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a GUI that presents information about a user's virtual card (vcard) according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is an illustration that illustrates an example of a user profile display of a GUI that presents a user profile according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is an illustration that illustrates a further example of a user profile display that presents additional information about a user according to an exemplary implementation. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a GUI for displaying performance metrics to a user according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a GUI for displaying performance metrics to a user according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a GUI for displaying performance metrics to a user according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a GUI for displaying performance metrics to a user according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a GUI for displaying performance metrics to a user according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a freestyle display of a GUI that provides information about freestyle user movement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustration that illustrates an example of a training display that presents a user-selectable training session in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is an illustration that illustrates an example of a training session in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is an illustration that illustrates an example of a training session in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is an illustration that illustrates an example of a training session in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is an illustration that illustrates an example of a training session in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example display of a GUI for a basketball shoot training session in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example display of a GUI for a basketball shoot training session in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example display of a GUI for a basketball shoot training session in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram illustrating an example display of a GUI for a basketball shoot training session in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. It is explanatory drawing illustrating the example of a display of GUI which notifies the milestone of a shoot to the user according to exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a skill display for a GUI that prompts a user to practice practicing tricking professional athletes according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 7 illustrates an example display of a GUI for searching for other user and / or professional athletes for performance metrics comparison in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example for comparing performance metrics of other individuals and users according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example for comparing performance metrics of other individuals and users according to an exemplary embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for determining whether physical data monitoring a user performing physical activity according to an exemplary embodiment has been acquired in a performance zone. FIG. 2 is an illustration that illustrates a system that can be used to promote the sale of products having embedded or attached sensors in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an illustration that illustrates a system that can be used to promote the sale of products having embedded or attached sensors in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the following description of various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and which are shown as a means of illustrating various embodiments in which this disclosure may be practiced. It will be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Furthermore, headings in this disclosure should not be considered as limiting aspects of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure will recognize that the exemplary embodiments are not limited to the exemplary headings.

I. Example of personal training system Exemplary Network FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a personal training system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The example system 100 may include an electronic device, such as one or more computers 102. The computer 102 may wrap a mobile terminal such as a phone, music player, tablet, netbook, or any portable device. In other embodiments, the computer 102 is a set-top box (STB), desktop computer, digital video recorder (s) (DVR), computer server (s), and / or Or any other desired computing device. In certain embodiments, the computer 102 may be a gaming console, such as Microsoft XBOX®, Sony's Playstation®, and / or Nintendo's Wii®. Or other gaming consoles. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these are merely illustrative consoles for illustrative purposes, and the disclosure is not limited to any console or device.

  Referring briefly to FIG. 1B, the computer 102 may include a computing unit 104 that may include at least one processing unit 106. The processing unit 106 may be any type of processing device, such as a microprocessor device, for executing software instructions. Computer 102 may include a variety of non-transitory computer readable media, such as memory 108. Memory 108 may include, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM) such as RAM 110 and / or read only memory (ROM) such as ROM 112. Memory 108 may be an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic storage device, or It may include any desired information store and any other medium accessible by computer 102.

  The processing unit 106 and the system memory 108 may be connected directly or indirectly through a bus 114 or alternative communication structure to one or more peripheral devices. For example, the processing unit 106 or system memory 108 may directly or indirectly add additional memory storage such as a hard disk drive 116, a removable magnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive 118, and a flash memory card. Can connect. One or more input devices 120 and one or more output devices 122 can also be connected directly or indirectly to the processing unit 106 and the system memory 108. The output device 122 may include, for example, a display device 136, a television, a printer, a stereo, or a speaker. In some implementations, one or more display devices can be incorporated within the glasses. A display device incorporated in the glasses can provide feedback to the user. Glasses incorporating one or more display devices also provide a portable display system. The input device 120 can include, for example, a keyboard, touch screen, remote control pad, pointing device (such as a mouse, touch pad, stylus, trackball, or joystick), scanner, camera, or microphone. In this regard, input device 120 may include one or more sensors configured to detect, detect and / or measure athletic movement from a user, such as user 124 shown in FIG. 1A. May be included.

  Referring again to FIG. 1A, an image capture device 126 or sensor 128 can be used to detect and / or measure athletic movement of the user 124. In one embodiment, the data acquired from the image capture device 126 or sensor 128 exhibits athletic motion so that the data acquired from the image capture device 126 or sensor 128 is directly correlated to the motion parameters. It can be detected. In other embodiments, data from the image capture device 126 and / or sensor 128 can be used in combination, with each other, or with other sensors for motion detection and / or measurement. In this way, data obtained from two or more devices can be combined to determine a particular measure. Image capture device 126 and / or sensor 128 include, but are not limited to, accelerometers, gyroscopes, positioning devices (eg, GPS), light sensors, temperature sensors (including ambient and / or body temperature), heart rate monitors. One or more sensors, including, or functionally connected to, an image capture sensor, a moisture sensor, and / or combinations thereof. For an example of the use of exemplary sensors 126, 128, see Section I.D. entitled “Exemplary Sensors”. It will be described later in C. Computer 102 may use a touch screen or image capture device to determine where the user is pointing for selection from a graphical user interface. One or more implementations may use one or more wired and / or wireless technologies, alone or in combination, where examples of wireless technologies include Bluetooth® technology, Bluetooth, and the like. (Registered trademark) low energy technology (BLE) and / or ANT technology.

B. Exemplary network computer 102, computing unit 104, and / or other electronic devices may directly or indirectly communicate with one or more network interfaces, such as interface 130, for communication with a network, such as network 132. (Shown in FIG. 1B). In the example of FIG. 1B, the network interface 130 is computed according to one or more communication protocols such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), Internet Protocol (IP), and User Datagram Protocol (UDP). It may include a network adapter or network interface card (NIC) configured to translate data and control signals from unit 104 into network messages. These protocols are well known in the art and are therefore not described in more detail here. Interface 130 may employ any suitable connection agent for connection to a network including, for example, a wireless transceiver, a power line communication adapter, a modem, or an Ethernet connection. However, the network 132 may be one or more of any type (one or more), such as the Internet (s), an intranet (s), a cloud (one or more), a LAN (one or more), etc. ) Information distribution network (s) or topology (s) alone or in combination (one or more). The network 132 may be any one or more of cable, fiber, satellite, telephone, mobile phone, wireless, etc. Networks are well known in the art and therefore will not be described in further detail here. The network 132 is the same as one or more locations (eg, school, business, home, consumer residence, network resources, etc.), one or more remote servers 134, or other, eg, computer 102 Alternatively, it can be configured in various ways, such as having one or more wired or wireless communication channels that connect to similar computers. In fact, the system 100 may include multiple instances of each component (eg, multiple computers 102, multiple displays 136, etc.).

  Regardless of whether the computer 102 or other electronic device in the network 132 is portable or in a fixed location, in addition to the input, output, and storage peripheral devices specifically listed above, the computer The storage device can be connected to a variety of peripheral devices, including those that can perform other input, output, and storage functions, or combinations thereof, such as directly or through the network 132. In certain embodiments, a single device may integrate one or more components shown in FIG. 1A. For example, a single device may include the computer 102, the image capture device 126, the sensor 128, the display 136, and / or additional components. In one embodiment, sensor device 138 may include a display 136, an image capture device 126, and one or more sensors 128. In yet another embodiment, image capture device 126 and / or sensor 128 may be a peripheral device configured to be operatively connected to a media device including, for example, a gaming or media system. Thus, from the foregoing, it can be said that this disclosure is not limited to static systems and methods. Rather, a user 124 located almost anywhere can implement a particular implementation.

C. Exemplary sensor computer 102 and / or other devices may include one or more sensors 126, 128 configured to detect and / or monitor at least one fitness parameter of user 124. Sensors 126 and / or 128 include, but are not limited to, accelerometers, gyroscopes, positioning devices (eg, GPS), light sensors, temperature sensors (including ambient and / or body temperature), sleep pattern sensors, heart rate A monitor, image capture sensor, moisture sensor, and / or combinations thereof may be included. The network 132 and / or computer 102 includes one of the sensors 100 of the system 100, such as a display 136, an image capture device 126 (eg, one or more video cameras), and an infrared (IR) device. Or it can communicate with multiple electronic devices. In one embodiment, sensor 128 may include an IR transceiver. For example, sensors 126 and / or 128 may transmit a waveform to an environment that includes a direction toward user 124, receive a “reflection”, or otherwise detect a change in the emitted waveform. In yet another embodiment, image capture device 126 and / or sensor 128 can be configured to transmit and / or receive other wireless signals, such as radar, sonar, and / or audible information. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that signals corresponding to a plurality of different data spectra may be utilized in accordance with various embodiments. In this regard, sensors 126 and / or 128 may detect waveforms emitted from an external source (eg, other than system 100). For example, sensors 126 and / or 128 may detect heat being released from user 124 and / or the surrounding environment. Accordingly, the image capture device 126 and / or the sensor 128 may include one or more thermal imaging devices. In one embodiment, image capture device 126 and / or sensor 128 may include an IR device configured to perform range phenomenology. By way of non-limiting example, an image capture device configured to perform range phenomenology is commercially available from Flir Systems, Inc., Portland, Oregon. . Here, the image capture device 126 and sensor 128 and display 136 are shown as communicating directly (wireless or wired) with the computer 102, but all can communicate directly (wireless or wired) with the network 132. Those skilled in the art will recognize.

1. Multipurpose Electronic Device User 124 may possess, carry and / or wear any number of electronic devices including sensor devices 138, 140, 142, and / or 144. In certain embodiments, one or more devices 138, 140, 142, 144 may not be specifically manufactured for fitness or athletic purposes. Indeed, aspects of this disclosure relate to the utilization of data from multiple devices, some of which are not fitness devices for athletic data collection, detection, and / or measurement. In one embodiment, device 138 includes a portable electronic device such as a telephone or a digital music player, such as an IPOD commercially available from Apple, Inc., Cupertino, California. (Registered trademark), IPAD (registered trademark), or iPhone (registered trademark) brand device, or Zune (registered trademark) or Microsoft Windows (registered trademark) device commercially available from Microsoft, Redmond, Washington included. As is known in the art, a digital media player can serve as both an output device for a computer (eg, output a song from a sound file or a photo from an image file) and a storage device. Is possible. In one embodiment, device 138 may be computer 102, and in other embodiments computer 102 and device 138 may be quite separate. Device 138 can act as an input device for receiving sensor information, whether or not it is configured to provide a particular output. Devices 138, 140, 142, and / or 144 include, but are not limited to, accelerometers, gyroscopes, positioning devices (eg, GPS), light sensors, temperature sensors (including ambient temperature and / or body temperature), heart rate One or more sensors may be included including a monitor, an image capture sensor, a moisture sensor, and / or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the sensor can be passive, such as reflective material that can be detected by the image capture device 126 and / or the sensor 128 (among others). In certain embodiments, sensor 144 can be incorporated into clothing such as sportswear. For example, the user 124 can wear one or more wearable sensors 144a, 144b. The sensor 144 can be incorporated into the clothes of the user 124 and / or placed at a desired location on the body of the user 124. Sensor 144 can communicate (eg, wirelessly) with computer 102, sensors 128, 138, 140, and 142, and / or camera 126. An example of an interactive gaming garment is described in US patent application Ser. No. 10 / 286,396, filed Oct. 30, 2002, published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0087366, The contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for purposes that are not limited in any way. In certain embodiments, a passive sensing surface can reflect a waveform, such as infrared light emitted by image capture device 126 and / or sensor 128. In one embodiment, a passive sensor placed on the clothes of the user 124 may be made from glass or other transparent or translucent surface and include a generally spherical structure that can reflect the waveform. Different classes of garments can be used, in which a particular sensor configured to be placed in close proximity to a particular part of the user's 124 body if properly worn. Have. For example, golf wear includes one or more sensors positioned on a garment in a first configuration, and soccer wear includes one or more sensors positioned on a garment in a second configuration. May be included.

  Any other electronic device disclosed therein, including devices 138-144, can communicate with each other directly or via a network, such as network 132. Communication between one or more of devices 138-144 may be communication performed through computer 102. For example, two or more of the devices 138-144 can be peripheral devices that are operatively connected to the bus 114 of the computer 102. In yet another embodiment, a first device, such as device 138, can communicate with another device, such as device 142, including a first computer, such as computer 102, but device 142 can communicate with device 138. Are not configured to be connected to the computer 102. In addition, one or more electronic devices can be configured to communicate through multiple communication paths. For example, the device 140 may communicate with the device 138 via a first wireless communication protocol, and may further communicate with another device, such as the computer 102, via a second wireless communication protocol. Exemplary wireless protocols are discussed throughout this disclosure and are also well known to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other configurations are possible.

  Some implementations of the exemplary embodiments may alternatively or additionally employ computing devices such as desktop or laptop personal computers that are intended to have a wide variety of functional capabilities. These computing devices may have peripheral devices or any combination of additional components as desired. Also, the components shown in FIG. 1B can be included in the server 134, other computers, devices, and the like.

2. Exemplary Garment / Accessory Sensor In certain embodiments, the sensor device 138, 140, 142, and / or 144 includes a wristwatch, armband, wristband, necklace, shirt, shoes, or the like It can be formed in the clothes or accessories of the user 124 or otherwise associated with it. Next, examples of shoe embedding or wrist-worn devices (devices 140 and 142, respectively) are described, but these are merely exemplary implementations and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

i. Shoe implant device In certain embodiments, a sensor device 140 may include one or more sensors, including but not limited to accelerometers, position sensing components such as GPS, and / or force sensors. Wear can be included. FIG. 2A illustrates one example of an embodiment of a sensor system 202 according to an exemplary embodiment. In certain embodiments, system 202 can include a sensor assembly 204. The assembly 204 can include one or more sensors, such as, for example, an accelerometer, a position sensing component, and / or a force sensor. In the illustrated embodiment, assembly 204 incorporates a plurality of sensors that can include a pressure sensitive resistance (FSR) sensor 206. In other embodiments, other sensor (s) can also be utilized. The port 208 can be positioned in the sole structure 209 of the shoe. A port 208 and a plurality of leads 212 connecting the FSR sensor 206 to the port 208 may optionally be provided to communicate with the electronic module 210 (which may be in the housing 211). The module 210 can be contained within a well or cavity in the sole structure of the shoe. Port 208 and module 210 include complementary interfaces 214, 216 for connection and communication.

  In certain embodiments, at least one pressure sensitive resistor 206, shown in FIG. 2A, is disposed between the first and second electrodes or electrical contacts 218, 220 and the electrodes 218, 220, and the electrode 218 , 220 may be included that is electrically connected to 220. When pressure is applied to the pressure sensitive resistance material 222, the resistivity and / or conductivity of the pressure sensitive resistance material 222 changes, which changes the potential between the electrodes 218,220. A change in resistance may be detected by the sensor system 202 and the force applied on the sensor 216 may be detected. The resistance of the pressure sensitive resistance material 222 can vary in various ways when pressure is applied. For example, the pressure sensitive resistive material 222 may have an internal resistance that decreases when compressed, similar to the quantum tunnel composite described in detail below. Furthermore, the reduction in resistance due to compression of the material allows quantitative measurements as well as binary (on / off) measurements. In some situations, this type of pressure-sensitive resistance behavior can be described as “volume-based resistance”, and materials that exhibit this behavior can be referred to as “smart materials”. As another example, material 222 can change resistance by changing the degree of surface-to-surface contact. This can be done in several ways, for example by using microprotrusions on the surface that increase the surface resistance in the uncompressed state and reduce the surface resistance when compressed, or with the other electrode when deformed. This can be achieved, for example, by using flexible electrodes that increase the surface-to-surface contact. This surface resistance may be the resistance between the material 222 and the electrodes 218, 220 and / or the surface resistance between the conductive layer (eg, carbon / graphite) and the pressure sensitive layer (eg, semiconductor) of the multilayer material 222. The greater the compression, the greater the surface-to-surface contact, resulting in a lower resistance and allowing quantitative measurements. In some situations, this type of pressure sensitive resistance behavior can be described as “contact-based resistance”. It should be understood that the pressure sensitive resistor material 222 as defined herein may be or include a doped or undoped semiconductor material.

  The electrodes 218, 220 of the FSR sensor 206 may be metal, composites, especially carbon / graphite fibers or composites, conductive polymers or polymers containing conductive materials, conductive ceramics, doped semiconductors, or other conductive materials. It is possible to form from any conductive material including. The lead 212 can be connected to the electrodes 218, 220 by any suitable method including welding, soldering, brazing, adhesive bonding, caulking, or other integral or non-integral bonding methods. Alternatively, the electrodes 218, 220 and associated leads 212 can be formed from a single piece of the same material.

  This other sensor 202 embodiment may include sensors in different amounts and / or configurations, generally including at least one sensor. For example, in one embodiment, the system 202 includes much more sensors, and in another embodiment, the system 202 includes two sensors, one on the shoe heel and one on the midfoot. Or within the device that is closest to the user's foot. In addition, one or more sensors 206 can communicate with interface 214 in different ways, including any well-known type of wired or wireless communication, including Bluetooth and near field communication. Each of a pair of shoes can be provided with a sensor system 202, in which case the pair of sensor systems can operate cooperatively or independently of each other, and each shoe sensor system communicates with each other. It will be understood that it may or may not communicate. It will be further understood that data stored on one or more computer readable media when executed by a processor (eg, pressure data from the interaction of a user's foot and the ground or other contact surface). Can be provided to the sensor system 202 to control the collection and store of the sensor 206, which includes the sensor 206, optional modules and / or devices 128, computer 102, server 134 and / or FIG. Or it can be stored in an external device such as the network 132.

ii. Wrist-Worn Device As shown in FIG. 2B, device 226 (which may be or similar to sensor device 142 shown in FIG. 1A) is user 124's wrist, arm, ankle, or similar. It can be configured to be mounted at the location. Device 226 may monitor the user's athletic movement, including user 124's all-day activity. In this regard, the device assembly 226 may function to detect athletic movements during the interaction of the user 124 with the computer 102 and / or independent of the computer 102. For example, in one embodiment, the device 226 may be an all-day activity monitor that measures activity regardless of whether the user is in proximity or interacting with the computer 102. Device 226 may communicate directly with network 132 and / or other devices, such as devices 138 and / or 140. In other embodiments, athletic data obtained from device 226 may be utilized in determining decisions made by computer 102 relating to an exercise program presented to user 124, and the like. In one embodiment, the device 226 interacts wirelessly with a mobile device, such as the device 138 associated with the user 124, or with a remote website, such as a site directed to fitness or health related content. You can also. At some predetermined point in time, the user may wish to send data from device 226 to another location.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the device 226 may include an input mechanism, such as a push-down input button 228 that assists in the operation of the device 226. Input button 228 may be operatively connected to controller 230 and / or other electronic components, such as one or more of the elements described in connection with computer 102 shown in FIG. 1B. The controller 230 may be embedded in the housing 232 or otherwise part of it. The housing 232 can be formed from one or more materials including elastic components and can include one or more indicators, such as the indicator 234. The indicator can be considered the illuminable part of the device 226. The indicator 234 can include a light emitting member, such as an individual lighting element or an LED light 234 in an exemplary embodiment. The LED lights can be formed in an array and functionally connected to the controller 230. Device 226 can include an indicator system 236, which can also be considered a part or component of the overall indicator 234. It should be understood that the indicator system 236 can operate and illuminate with the display 234 (which can have a pixel member 235) or completely separate from the display 234. Indicator system 236 can also include a plurality of additional light emitting elements or members 238, which in the exemplary embodiment can also take the form of LED lights. In certain embodiments, the indicator system can provide a visual indication to the goal, such as by illuminating a portion of the light emitting member 238 to represent achievement of one or more goals.

  The attachment mechanism 240 can be unlatched so that the device 226 can be wrapped and positioned around the wrist of the user 124 and subsequently the attachment mechanism 240 can be set to the latched position. The user can wear the device 226 throughout the day if desired. In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism 240 can include an interface, including but not limited to a USB port, for functional interaction with the computer 102 and / or devices 138,140.

  In certain embodiments, device 226 may include a sensor assembly (not shown in FIG. 2B). The sensor assembly can include a plurality of different sensors. In exemplary embodiments, the sensor assembly includes connections to accelerometers (including multi-axis accelerometer types), heart rate sensors, positioning sensors such as GPS sensors, and / or other sensors. Or it may be possible. The movement or parameters detected from the sensor (s) of the device 142 include, but are not limited to, speed, distance, steps taken, calories, heart rate, sweat detection, effort, oxygen consumption, and / or aerobic A variety of different parameters, including movement, metrics, or physiological characteristics can be included (or used to form them). Such parameters can also be expressed in the form of activity points or currency earned by the user based on the user's activity.

  Various examples can be implemented using electronic circuitry configured to perform one or more functions. For example, with some embodiments of the present invention, a computing device, such as a smartphone, mobile device, computer, server, or other computing device, may be integrated into one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). ) Can be implemented. More typically, however, it uses a programmable computing device that executes firmware or software instructions, or firmware or software instructions that execute on dedicated electronic circuitry and programmable computing devices. Various combinations of the components of the present invention can be implemented.

II. Monitoring System FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example of computer interaction with at least one sensor according to an exemplary embodiment. In the illustrated example, the computer 102 can be implemented as a smartphone that the user can carry. Exemplary sensors may include any of the aforementioned sensors, including wearing on the user's body, standing away from the body, accelerometer, distributed sensor, heart rate monitor, temperature sensor, and the like. In FIG. 3A, a pod sensor 304 and a distributed sensor 306 (eg, including the aforementioned sensor system 202 having one or more FSR sensors 206) are shown. Pod sensor 304 may include accelerometers, gyroscopes, and / or other sensor technologies. In some implementations, the pod sensor 304 may be at least one sensor that monitors data not directly related to user movement. For example, the environmental sensor may be a sensor worn by the user or a sensor outside the user. Environmental sensors may include temperature sensors, compass magnets, barometers, humidity sensors, or other types of sensors. Other types of sensors and combinations of sensors configured to measure user movement may also be used. The computer 102 may also integrate one or more sensors.

  Other types of sensors, including pod sensor 304, distributed sensor 206, may include wireless transceivers for communication with each other and with computer 102. For example, the sensors 304 and 306 may be directly connected to the network 132, other devices worn by the user (eg, watches, armband devices, etc.), sensors or devices worn by the second user, external devices, etc. Can communicate. By way of example, the left shoe sensor can communicate with the right shoe sensor. A shoe may also include a plurality of sensors in communication with each other and / or the shoe processor. In addition, a pair of shoes includes a single processor that collects data from a plurality of sensors associated with the shoes, and a transceiver coupled to the single processor includes a computer 102, a network 132, and a server. The sensor data may be communicated to at least one of 134. In another example, one or more sensors of the shoe can communicate with a transceiver that communicates with at least one of the computer 102, the network 132, and the server 134. Further, a sensor associated with the first user can communicate with a sensor associated with the second user. For example, a sensor in a first user's shoe can communicate with a sensor in a second user's shoe. Other topologies can also be used.

  Computer 102 can exchange data with the sensors and can communicate data received from the sensors to server 134 and / or another computer 102 via network 132. A user can receive auditory information from the computer 102 wearing headphones or earphones, directly from one or more of the sensors, from the server 134, from the network 132, or from any combination thereof. The headphones can be wired or wireless. For example, the distributed sensor 306 can communicate data to headphones for audible output to the user.

  In one example, a user wears shoes, each equipped with an accelerometer, force sensor, or the like, and the computer 102 and / or server 134 is each foot or other body part (eg, leg, hand, arm, individual The individual movements of the fingers or toes, the area of the user's feet or legs, waist, chest, shoulders, head, eyes) alone or with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2A, 2B Can be determined together.

  The processing of the data can be performed in any manner or can be performed in each shoe, computer 102, server 134, or a combination thereof. In the following description, it can be described that the computer 102 executes a function. Other devices may perform functions on behalf of or in addition to computer 102, including server 134, controller, another computer, processor in shoes or other clothing, or other device. It is. For example, each local controller that performs one or more sensors (or other ambient sensors) for each shoe and performs some or all of the processing of the raw signals output by the one or more sensors Can be paired with The controller processing can be subject to commands and control of higher layer computing devices (eg, computer 102) at any given time. Higher layer devices can receive and further process processed sensor signals from one or more controllers, eg, via one or more transceivers. The comparison and calculation can be performed on one or more computing devices, including some or all of the computing devices described above, with or without additional computing devices. The sensor can detect a desired condition and generate a raw signal that is processed to provide processed data. The processed data can then be used to determine current performance metrics (eg, current travel speed, etc.), which can be determined by user input (eg, how high you jumped) and / or programming (eg, Depending on whether the user has exercised as indicated, and if it is detected, how it is evaluated qualitatively / quantitatively in the user experience).

  In one example, sensors 304 and 306 can process and process measurement data and transfer processed data (eg, average acceleration, maximum speed, total distance, etc.) to computer 102 and / or server 134. Sensors 304 and 306 can also transmit raw data to computer 102 and / or server 134. The raw data may include, for example, an acceleration signal measured by an accelerometer over a long time, a pressure signal measured by a pressure sensor over a long time, and the like. An example of the use of multiple sensors in multi-sensor garment and athletic activity monitoring is entitled “FOOTWEAR HAVING SENSOR SYSTEM”, published as US 2010/0063778 A1. US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 483,824, and US patent application Ser. No. 12/483, published as US 2010/0063779 A1, entitled “FOOTWEAR HAVING SENSOR SYSTEM”. , 828. The contents of the above referenced application are all incorporated herein by reference. In particular embodiments, the exercise practitioner uses one or more pressure sensitive resistance (FSR) sensors as shown, for example, in FIG. 2A and as described in the above patent application. A shoe 302 having a force sensor system can be worn. The shoe 302 may include a plurality of FSR sensors 206 that detect force in different areas of the user's foot (eg, heel, midfoot, toe, etc.). The computer 102 can process the data from the FSR sensor 206 to determine the user's foot and / or the balance between the user's two feet. For example, the computer 102 can compare the force measured by the FSR 206 from the left shoe with the force measured by the FSR 206 from the right shoe to determine balance and / or weight distribution.

  FIG. 3B is another example data flow diagram in which the computer 102 interacts with at least one sensor processing system 308 to detect user activity. The sensor processing system 308 is physically independent and separate from the computer 102 and can communicate with the computer 102 through wired or wireless communication. The sensor processing system 308 may include, in addition to or in addition to the sensor 304, the sensor 304, as shown, including the sensor 304. In the illustrated example, sensor system 308 can receive and process data from sensor 304 and FSR sensor 206. Computer 102 can receive input from the user about the type of activity session that the user wishes to conduct (eg, cross training, basketball, running, etc.). Alternatively, or in addition, the computer 102 can detect the type of activity that the user is performing, or receive information from another source about the type of activity that is being performed.

  Based on the type of activity, the computer 102 can identify one or more predefined action templates and communicate the subscription to the sensor processing system 308. An action template can be used to identify actions or movements that a user may perform while performing a determined type of activity. For example, an action may be a group of one or more events, for example, detecting that the user has followed a step to the right followed by a step to the left, or detecting that the user has jumped while moving his wrist quickly It can correspond to. Thus, different sets of one or more action templates can be defined for different types of activities. For example, a first set of action templates defined for basketball may include dribbling, shooting, blocking, performing a slam dunk, full power sprint, and the like. A second set action template defined for soccer may include kicking and shooting the ball, dribbling, steel, ball heading, and the like. The action template may correspond to any desired level of granularity. In some embodiments, a particular type of activity may include 50-60 templates. In another example, the type of activity can correspond to 20-30 templates. Any number of templates can be defined for each type of activity as needed. In yet another example, the user can manually select a template rather than being selected by the system.

  A sensor subscription may allow the sensor system 308 to select a sensor from which data is to be received. The sensor processing system 308 can manage subscriptions used at any particular time. The type of subscription is pressure sensitive resistance data from one or more pressure sensitive resistors, acceleration data from one or more accelerometers, total information across multiple sensors (eg, sum of acceleration data, one or Including sum of pressure sensitive resistance data across multiple sensors, etc.), pressure map, average median data, gravity adjusted sensor data, pressure sensitive resistance derivative, acceleration derivative, and the like and / or combinations thereof sell. In some implementations, a single subscription can accommodate a summary of data from multiple sensors. For example, if the template requires a force shift to the forefoot region of the user's foot, a single subscription corresponds to the sum of forces from all sensors in the forefoot region. Alternatively or additionally, force data for each of the forefoot sensors can correspond to a separate subscription.

  For example, if the sensor system 308 includes four pressure sensitive resistance sensors and an accelerometer, the subscription can specify which of those five sensors are monitored for sensor data. In another example, the subscription may specify reception / monitoring of sensor data from the right shoe accelerometer, but not the left shoe accelerometer. In yet another example, the subscription may not include a heart rate sensor and may include monitoring of data from a wrist worn sensor. A subscription can also specify a sensor threshold that adjusts the sensitivity of the sensor system's event detection process. Thus, in some activities, the sensor system 308 can be instructed to detect all force peaks that exceed the first specified threshold. In other activities, the sensor system 308 can be instructed to detect all force peaks that exceed the second specified threshold. The use of different sensor subscriptions can help the sensor system save power when several sensor readings are not needed for a particular activity. Thus, different activities and activity types can use different sensor subscriptions.

  The sensor system 308 can be configured to perform initial processing of sensor raw data to detect events of varying granularity. Examples of events can include stepping or jumping during a jump and maximum acceleration over a time period. The sensor system 308 can then pass an event to the computer 102 to determine whether an action has been performed compared to the various templates. For example, the sensor system 308 can identify one or more events and wirelessly communicate to the computer 102 a Bluetooth® low energy (BLE) packet or other type of data. In another example, the sensor system 308 can alternatively or additionally transmit raw sensor data.

  Following receipt of the event and / or sensor raw data, the computer 102 may perform post-match processing including determination of various activity metrics such as iteration, flight time, speed, distance, and the like. Activities can be categorized by identification of various events and actions represented in data received from any number and type of sensors. Accordingly, activity tracking and monitoring can include determining whether one or more expected or well-known actions within the activity type have been performed, and determining metrics associated with those actions. In one example, an action may be detected using a predefined action template that corresponds to a sequence of one or more low-level or granular events.

  For example, the computer 102 can use an action template to automatically detect when a user has performed a particular activity or a particular movement expected during that activity. If the user is playing basketball, for example, detecting that the user has jumped while moving his wrist quickly may indicate that the user has shot. In another example, detecting that the user moved both feet outward during a jump followed by moving both feet inward during the jump would cause the user to perform one repeat of the raised hand jump movement Can be recorded. Various other templates can be defined as desired to identify a particular type of activity, or actions or movements within that type of activity.

  FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a pod sensor 304 that can be implanted and removed from a shoe according to an exemplary embodiment. The pod sensor 304 may include a rechargeable battery that can be inserted into the plug-in adapter 402 and recharged. Wired or wireless charging of the pod sensor 304 can also be used. For example, the pod sensor 304 can be charged inductively. In some embodiments, the pod sensor 304-1 is configured with an interface (eg, a universal serial bus) and can be inserted into a computer or other device for downloading and / or receiving data Can be. The pod sensor interface can provide wired or wireless communication. For example, software updates can be loaded into a pod sensor when connected to a computer. The pod sensor can also receive software updates wirelessly. Upon physical association with the computer 102 (or other device having a port), the pod sensor can charge and communicate with the computer 102.

  FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a wearing configuration for the computer 102 according to an exemplary embodiment. The computer 102 can be configured to be worn or incorporated into a desired location on the user's body, such as the user's arm, leg, or chest. For example, each garment can have its own embedded computer. The computer may be a thin client driven by the context, ie what the user is doing or wearing / networking. The computer 102 can also be placed away from the user's body as shown in FIGS.

  6 and 7 illustrate an example of a non-wearing configuration for the computer 102 according to an exemplary embodiment. The computer 102 can be placed in the docking station 602 to allow GUI display on a large screen and audio output through a stereo system. In other examples, the computer 102 can respond to voice commands, receive user commands via direct user input (eg, using a keyboard) or input from a remote control, or otherwise. Other non-wearing configurations include placing the computer 102 on a nearby floor or table where the user is exercising, placing the computer 102 in a training bag or other container, and attaching the computer 102 to a tripod 702 , Attaching the computer 102 to the wall mount 704, and the like. Other non-wearing configurations can also be used. When worn away from the body, the user can wear headphones, earphones, a wrist-worn device or the like and receive real-time updates from there. The pod sensor 304 and / or the distributed sensor 306 communicate with the computer 102 away from the body when in range and at periodic time intervals or when triggered by a user and / or store data, Thereafter, when it is within the range, data can be uploaded to the computer 102 by an instruction from the user.

  In one example, a user can interact with the graphical user interface (GUI) of computer 102. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a graphical user interface (GUI) display presented by the display screen of computer 102 according to an exemplary embodiment. The GUI home page display 802 provides general information to the user, prompts the user to select the type of physical activity session that the user is interested in performing, and previously completed sessions (eg, basketball games, training, etc.). Etc.) can be presented with a home page that allows the user to search for information. The display screen of computer 102 can be a touch screen and / or user input can be received through a keyboard or other input means. For example, the user can tap the display screen or provide other input to cause the computer 102 to perform an action.

  To obtain information about the previous session, the user selects the field 804 containing the last session and causes the computer 102 to update the home page display 802, from the last one of the previous sessions. Performance metrics (eg, vertical jump, total hover time, activity points, etc.) can be displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the selected field 804 is expanded to show the duration of the last session, the user's highest vertical jump, the user's total flight time during the last session, and the previous Information about incentive points (eg activity points) earned in the session can be displayed. Computer 102 can determine performance metrics (eg, speed, vertical jump, etc.) by processing data sensed by sensors 304 and 306 or other sensor devices.

  Home page display 802 may track one or more user performance metrics during a training or athletic activity session by selection of field 806 (eg, track a game that comes out of) or a user's selection by selection of field 808. The user can be prompted to select whether or not he / she wants the computer 102 to assist in improving athletic skills (e.g., enlivening a game he / she goes out of). 9-21 discuss the former and FIGS. 22-31 discuss the latter.

  FIG. 9 illustrates an example of performance metrics for user selection according to an exemplary embodiment. In one example, the user is interested in monitoring his total play time, vertical jump, distance, and calories burned, and / or other metrics, and the metrics shown in FIG. 9 using the home page display 802. The desired one can be selected. Metrics may change based on the type of athletic activity performed during the session. For example, home page display 802 can present certain default performance metric selections depending on session activity. The user can provide input to change the default performance metric selection.

  In addition to the performance metrics shown in FIG. 9, the total number of jumps, the number of vertical jumps above a certain height (eg above 3 inches), the full power sprint (eg selected by the user, or Number of speeds above a specific rate specified by the computer 102, feint (eg, quick turnaround), jump recovery (eg, fastest time between two jumps), work rate (eg, average force) May be a function of training session time), work rate level (eg low, medium, high), total steps, steps per unit time (eg 1 minute), bursts (eg user) Is the speed threshold), balance, weight distribution (eg measured by FSR 206 in the user's right shoe). Quantification of FSR 206 in each shoe, including a comparison of the measured load and the load measured by FSR 206 in the user's left shoe), average duration of session, total session time, average of iterations per exercise , Average points earned per session, total points, calories burned, or other performance metrics. Additional performance metrics can also be used.

  In one example, the computer 102 prompts the user to indicate which metrics should be monitored for each type of session (eg, baseball, soccer, basketball, etc.), and identifies the metrics to the user profile. Can be stored inside. Computer 102 may also prompt the user for metrics at the start of each session. In addition, the computer 102 can track all performance metrics, but can display only selected metrics to the user within the GUI. For example, the computer 102 can monitor only certain basic metrics (eg, changing responsiveness, avoiding data overload, etc. based on battery life that may be extended). If the user wishes to review metrics other than those currently displayed by the GUI, the user can enter the desired metrics and the computer 102 can update the GUI accordingly. You can change the metrics displayed at any time. Default metrics can be presented once at the resumption of a session or at the start of another session.

  If the computer 102 monitors more metrics than can be displayed, the computer 102 then enters a lower level of monitoring (eg, resources are consumed with user alerts) and falls to the base, Further, it passes through and eventually one or no metrics are monitored. In one example, the computer 102 can only display base metrics (basic metrics) for the user unless / until configured by the user. The computer 102 can reduce what is displayed to present only base performance metrics or fewer metrics based on the resource. It is possible for the sensors to continue to monitor other performance metrics and subsequently make data available from those sensors (eg, via a web experience).

  The computer 102 can calibrate the shoe sensor at the start of the session. 10 and 11 illustrate an example of calibration of a sensor according to an exemplary embodiment. Calibration involves verifying that computer 102 can communicate directly or indirectly with sensors (eg, sensors 304 and 306), verifying that the sensor is functioning properly, and having sufficient battery life. Confirmation and baseline data setting. For example, the computer 102 can communicate (eg, send wireless signals) with the pod sensor 304 and the distributed sensor 306 in the user's shoes. Pod sensors and distributed sensors can respond with the requested data. Calibration may occur at other times (eg, during the session, at the end of the session, etc.).

  During calibration, as shown in displays 1002A, 1002B, the GUI prompts the user to rest and baseline data using pod sensor 304 and distributed sensor 306 (eg, acceleration, weight distribution, total Can be measured. Calibration can also prompt the user to lift individual feet and allow the computer 102 to determine which sensor data is associated with which foot. The distributed sensor 306 may also encode footwear information that the computer 102 has acquired during calibration, such as shoe type, color, size, left and right, for example. The computer 102 (or server 134) processes the responses from the sensors 304 and 306 and updates the GUI as shown in the display 1002C to verify the problem and problem resolution (eg, battery replacement, etc.) and calibration. Users can be notified of success. In FIG. 11A, for example, a field 1104 shown on the left of the display 1102A includes a display example of connection status (for example, connection, disconnection) including battery life. Calibration can also occur at certain events, such as detection of pod 304 removal. Based on the calibration, display 1102B presents a gauge 1106 that represents the weight distribution for the user and the remaining life of the battery. As part of the calibration of one or more sensors and / or as a separate feature or function, substantially in real time (as soon as data can be captured (and / or processed) and transmitted for display) The GUI can be configured to display performance data. FIG. 11B shows an example of a GUI that can be implemented according to one implementation. As shown in FIG. 11B, display 1102C can provide one or more selectable activity parameters to display the captured values associated with the selectable parameters. For example, a user who wants to see a value related to the vertical height during a jump can select a “vertical” icon (see icon 1108). Other icons include, but are not limited to, quickness (can display values related to steps per second and / or distance per second), pressure, and / or other detectable Parameters can be included. In other embodiments, a plurality of different parameters can be selected for simultaneous display. In yet another embodiment, no parameter selection is required. Default parameters can be displayed without user input. Data related to the parameter (s) can be provided to the display 1102C in real time. For example, output 1110 indicates that the user has jumped “24.6 inches”. The value can be provided graphically, for example as represented by graph 112 indicating that the value is 24.6 inches. In certain embodiments, a value output such as via outputs 1110 and / or 1112 can indicate real-time data, and in yet another embodiment, at least one of the outputs 1110/1112 is the other A value, such as a history value, a desired target value, and / or a maximum or minimum value can be indicated. For example, the graph 1112 may vary depending on the user's current (eg, real-time) height, while the output 1110 displays the highest value of the user's jump recorded during the session or over the entire past period. be able to. The output of the value or result can be correlated with a physical object and / or motion. For example, when the user is performing a vertical height jump within a first range, such as between 24 inches and 30 inches, an indication may be received that a jump over a bicycle has been made (eg, FIG. 11B). Display 1102D). As another example, a value related to the user's steps per second can be displayed correlated to that of an actual animal. As those skilled in the art will recognize, other physical objects may be utilized in accordance with different embodiments.

  The computer 102 can prompt the user to start a session. FIG. 12 illustrates a display example of a GUI presenting information related to a session according to an exemplary embodiment. Display 1202A may first prompt the user to check into the court and start a session. The user can also input the type of session (eg, practice, pick-up game, league game, half game, full game, 3 to 3, 5 to 5 etc.). Display 1202B can prompt the user to interrupt and / or end the session, including notifying the user of the duration of the session. Display 1202C may present a user's current performance metrics (eg, vertical jump max, flight time, tempo, etc.). For viewing purposes, the display 1202 can present default or user-selected statistics, but a group of performance metrics with a predetermined number of swipes or other gestures (eg, 3 or other numbers, landscape Triggering scrolling and ordering (based on performance metrics that can be shown in a portrait view relative to the display) or otherwise presenting the performance metrics.

  The computer 102 can also update the display 1202 when a particular event is identified. For example, if a new record (eg, personal best) is identified (eg, a new highest value for a vertical jump), the computer 1202 indicates a display update (eg, color, presentation information, etc.), vibration, and a particular record. At least one of the occurrence of noise (based on the placement of the color change on the shoe corresponding to a particular metric) or some record (eg, any metric) achievement notification can be made. Display 1202 can also present a button for the user to select that recording has been achieved. Display 1202B may prompt the user to check his / her performance metrics, as further shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 illustrates an example display of a GUI that provides a user with information about the user's performance metrics during a session according to an exemplary embodiment. Display 1302 displays information about the current or previous session length in field 1304 and various performance metrics for the user in field 1308 (eg, vertical jump maximum, total hover time, tempo, etc. Etc.) can be presented in the field 1310 with whom the user has played. For example, the computer 102, sensor 304 or 306, or other device associated with the first user may be the computer 102, sensor 304 or 306, or other device associated with the second user and the first user identifier. Each computer can know the participants in the session.

  The computer 102 can also process performance metrics and assign a play style to the user as indicated in field 1306. Field 1306 may indicate that the user is “HOT STREAK” in response to the determination that the user has worked hard for 30 minutes continuously. The box to the right of field 1306 can indicate an alternative play style. The computer 102 can identify other types of play styles. For example, if the computer 102 identifies an explosive burst following a period of silence, it will play a “SILENT ASSASIN” playstyle, and a “Vortex” play when there is little user movement or jump during the session. The style is called “COBRA” when the user has a permanent and smooth movement with huge bursts and jumps, and when the user ’s movement is fast, with sufficient stamina and high peak speed. The “TRACK STAR” playstyle can be assigned the “SKYWALKER” playstyle when the user has a large vertical jump and a long flight time. In some implementations, two or more styles can be assigned to a user, with different styles associated with one individual session compared to another session. Multiple styles can be assigned and displayed for a single session.

  The computer 102 may select a particular playstyle based on user data received from at least one of a pod sensor 304 (eg, accelerometer data), a distributed sensor 306 (eg, force data), or other sensors. Can be assigned. The computer 102 can compare the user data with play style data for a plurality of different play styles to determine the play style with which the data is most consistent. For example, the computer 102 can set performance metrics thresholds for each of the play styles. Some play styles allow the user to jump at a certain height, run at a certain speed, play for a certain amount of time, and / or perform other tasks at least once during a session. Can request. Other play styles may require the user data to execute a specific sequence of events (eg, a quick acceleration to at least a specific maximum speed, followed by a few moves). Some play styles may require user data to indicate that the user has maintained a threshold over a particular time (eg, maintaining an average speed that exceeds the threshold throughout the game).

  In one example, a play style can be assigned based on a data set obtained from a set of sensors including sensors that are worn at various locations on the user's body (eg, gluteal and / or upper body). Identify the “BANGER” playstyle from the accelerometer). In addition, other inactivity data such as user profile data (eg, user age, height, gender, etc.) can also contribute to the determination of play style. For example, some play styles are gender specific or can be based on ambient conditions (eg, “POSTMAN” style because users play in rain, sleet, snow, etc.) ).

  Users or user groups can define their own play style based on metrics and analysis. The user or user group can change the name of the playstyle without changing the associated metrics and analysis. The play style can be updated automatically. For example, the personal training system 100 can periodically update the play style specified by the system 100. In another example, the system 100 can automatically update the playstyle when the playstyle name is associated with a particular location (eg, state, city, court), but with a different name at another location. The play style is referenced (e.g., maintaining a specification in harmony with the local language).

  In FIG. 13, display 1302 allows the user to share performance metrics with other users and / or post to social networking by selection of field 1312. The user can also enter a message (eg, “CHECK OUT MY VERTICAL LEAP”) that accompanies the performance metrics that are sent. The computer 102 can deliver current and / or previous session performance metrics data and messages to the server 134 in response to a user sharing request. Server 134 may incorporate the data and / or messages within the social networking website and / or distribute the data / messages to other desired users or all users.

  FIG. 14 illustrates a display example of a GUI presenting information about a user's virtual card (vcard) according to an exemplary embodiment. vcard may contain information about the user's athletic history. The vcard may include an average of performance metrics, including user performance metrics, sessions, and awards in individual sessions. The vcard statistics display 1402A may show the number of points earned by the user (e.g., activity points or metrics), as well as the total run and / or maximum performance by the user. The activity point may be a statistic indicating the physical activity performed by the user. Server 134 and / or computer 102 may grant activity points when a user achieves a particular athletic milestone. The vcard session display 1402B may provide historical information about completed sessions, including total play time and the number of sessions completed by the user. The vcard session display 1402B can also indicate the session length and session date, as well as the play style presented by the user during each session. The vcard award display 1402C can indicate a prize acquired by the user over a long period of time. For example, server 134 and / or computer 102 may grant a user a flight club award after the total loft time during the session is obtained.

  Other examples of awards include the “King of Court” award for users with one or more top metrics on a particular court, 1 mile flight time (or other amount of time and distance) ) "Flyer Miles" award, "Worldwide Wes" award when players participate in multiple country sessions, "Uncle Breaker" for those with at least a specific top speed or fastest first step "Award," Jump King "Award for users with at least a specific vertical jump," 24/7 bowler for users who have played a specific number of days in succession or played on a specific number of different courts " ”Award,“ Ice Man ”award when a certain number of rivals follow the user, and many more (compared to Ice Man) rivals The “Black Mamba” award when following the “Prodigy” award for young players who have achieved a specific performance metric level, and the older of those who have achieved a specific performance metric level The “Old School” award for high players. Other types of awards can also be awarded.

  FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a user profile display of a GUI presenting a user profile according to an exemplary embodiment. The user profile display 1502 can present information about the user, such as height, weight, and position, play style (eg, “silent assassin”), and other information. User profile display 1502 may also indicate one or more types of shoes that the user is wearing. User profile display 1502 may present information about the user's activities and allow the user to control sharing of this information with other users. For example, a user can specify other users who can view his user profile information, or allow all other users to access his user profile information. FIG. 16 illustrates an example of adding information about a user that can be presented in a user profile display 1502 according to an exemplary embodiment.

  FIGS. 17-20 illustrate display examples of GUIs for displaying performance metrics to a user according to an exemplary embodiment. During the session, at the end of it, or both, the computer 102 communicates with at least one of the pod sensor 304, distributed sensor 306, or other sensor to acquire data and generate performance metrics. it can. FIG. 17 shows a GUI display example while capturing data such as the highest vertical jump in display 1702A, total flight time in display 1702B, tempo statistics in display 1702C, and points in display 1702D. A scroll bar 1704 represents progress in transferring data from the sensor to the computer 102.

  FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a jump display related to a user's vertical jump according to an exemplary embodiment. The computer 102 can track information about when the jumps occurred during the session, including the user's vertical jumps during the exercise session. The computer 102 can determine the user's vertical jump based on the amount of loft time between the user's feet leaving the ground and the next time the user's feet first contact the ground. The computer 102 processes accelerometer data from the pod sensor 304 and / or force data from the distributed sensor 306 so that the moment the user's feet leave the ground, and then the user's feet first contact the ground. You can determine the moment. The computer 102 also compares the jump data with the user data from the pod sensor 304 and the distributed sensor 306, and the user simply lifts his or her foot from the ground for a predetermined time or basketball ring (or It can be confirmed that the user has actually jumped and landed instead of hanging on another object. The jump data may be data generated to indicate what form the force profile and / or acceleration profile for the person who actually jumped. The computer 102 can use the similarity metric when comparing user data and jump data. When the user data is not sufficiently similar to the jump data, the computer 102 can determine that the user data is not a jump and the user when determining the user's performance metrics (eg, the highest or average vertical jump). -Data can not be included.

  Assuming that the computer 102 determines that the user data is for a jump, the computer 102 processes the user data to process the vertical jump, the vertical jump time, and the user's average vertical jump height. And other metrics can be determined, including determining which foot is dominant and / or maintaining the total loft time for the jump. The computer 102 can identify the dominant foot based on force data and / or accelerometer data associated with each shoe. The force data and / or accelerometer data can include timing information so that the computer 102 can compare events in each shoe. The computer 102 can process timing information, including force data and / or accelerometer data, to determine which was the last leg left on the ground before the jump. The computer 102 can identify the dominant foot based on the last foot remaining on the ground when the user jumps, as well as that associated with the user's highest vertical jump. The computer 102 can also present the user's top five vertical jumps and a jump display 1802A that includes a figure showing which feet were left on the ground or both feet just before the jump. The jump display 1802A can display any desired number of high-order jumps, and the system 100 can set whether the number can be designated by the user. The number of top jumps can be based on the length of time. For example, the jump display 1802A may show the top five jumps over the entire time of the session, the last predetermined minutes or percentage of the total session time, or the type of session (eg, pickup for an organized basketball game・ The top 5 jumps can be presented based on (Game). The jump display 1802A or 1802B may display a vertical jump over a time period that includes, for example, a month, week, full duration, or other real range, not by session. The jump display 1802A or 1802B can also present the total number of jumps, the total hover time, the average hover time, the hover time corresponding to the highest vertical jump, or other information related to the jump. The orientation of the computer 102 can control which of the jump display 1802A and the jump display 1802B is currently presented. For example, the user can rotate the computer 102 (for example, 90 degrees) to change from presenting the jump display 1802A (for example, portrait orientation) to presenting the jump display 1802B (for example, landscape orientation). The user can change the presentation of the jump display 1802B to the presentation of the jump display 1802A by rotating the computer 102 in the reverse direction. Similarly, the rotation of computer 102 can be used to switch between the other example displays described herein.

  In another example, the jump display 1802B may display the user's jumps across sessions in chronological order and indicate the vertical height of each jump, including the time each jump occurred during that session. . The jump display 1802B can also display a personal best of a user's vertical jump that has been set in advance from or during the previous session. In one example, during a session, add a new line of a new vest (eg, “New Vest” color), either via a step function or assisting an existing line, and display a line for the session where the new vest occurs You can change your personal best line. The computer 102 also updates the jump display 1802B by replacing the previous personal best line (eg, one color) with a new line (eg, a new personal best color that can only be used during the session in which the personal best occurred). it can. Furthermore, the color can change with the improvement of the user's personal best, indicating the ability compared to other users (eg, your jump was higher than the other 85% of users).

  The jump display 1802B may indicate a performance zone (eg, a dunk zone) that indicates when a user may be able to perform some action (eg, a basketball dunk). The computer 102 can tune the performance zone to the user based on the user's physical attributes (eg, height, arm length, leg length, torso length, body length, etc.). . For example, a dunk zone for a short user may require a higher vertical jump than a taller user.

  A performance zone can correspond to a range of values, a minimum value, or a maximum value. One or more values can be correlated to when the user's athletic performance is expected to be able to perform a user-specific action. For example, the performance zone may be the lowest vertical jump that will allow the user to dunk basketball. Although the user need not actually perform the action (eg, dunk), the performance zone can indicate when the computer 102 calculated that the user was able to perform the action.

  Computer 102 can present suggestions to help the user achieve the performance zone based on sensor data obtained from one or more sensors. For example, analysis of sensor data associated with jumps by the user at the computer 102 can enhance the ability to reach into the dunk zone or provide more feedback to the user than improving personal best in the air it can. For example, the computer 102 can process sensor data and suggest adjustments to specific user body parts that improve the user's ability to jump. In another example, the computer 102 can suggest that the user gain more acceleration in the leading foot by increasing acceleration of the upper body or gain more pressure in the following foot.

  The performance zone can be set for any desired athletic movement. An exemplary performance zone may correspond to a minimum value of pressure, a maximum value of pressure, a pressure that falls within a specific range or is included in some pressures as measured by the distributed sensor 306. Other example performance zones may correspond to a minimum acceleration, a maximum pressure, a pressure that falls within a particular range or is included in some pressures as measured by sensor 306. A performance zone can also be based on different measurements or sequences of measurements. For example, a performance zone may specify that at least a certain amount of loft time following at least a certain amount of acceleration, followed by at least a certain amount of pressure.

  For example, in gymnastics, acceleration and body rotation are monitored. For example, it may be desirable for a gymnast to have a certain amount of body rotation before landing from an uneven bar. If the rotation is too fast or too slow, the gymnast cannot turn his body into the correct posture when landing. This performance zone can be a “spin zone” that specifies minimum and maximum rotational accelerations, and the computer 102 monitors over or under rotation and the gymnast is in the performance zone before landing. Provide feedback on whether or not The computer 102 can provide suggestions for adjusting a particular body part to adjust the amount of acceleration until landing to increase or decrease the user's rotation. Performance zones can also be set for other sports (eg, track and field competition, golf, etc.).

  The computer 102 can adjust the performance zone based on feedback received from the user. In one example, computer 102 receives input indicating which vertical jump action (eg, basketball dunk) could be performed to the user, and computer 102 based on the user's feedback. May adjust the minimum vertical jump required to enter the performance zone. The computer 102 can give the user one or more activity points for the amount of time that the user has maintained his performance in the performance zone, including the user being in the performance zone. The computer 102 can also determine the amount of calories burned while the user is in the performance zone.

  The computer 102 can present information indicating the rate of activity points earned by the user over the duration of the exercise session. FIG. 18B illustrates an example of an activity point display 1804 according to an exemplary embodiment. The computer 102 can determine activity points during an exercise session and give them to the user. To do so, the computer 102 can compare the measured user performance with any number of metrics to give activity points. For example, the computer 102 can give a predetermined number of activity points for a predetermined distance running. As can be seen in FIG. 18B, the line 1806 of the activity point display 1804 represents the rate at which the user earned activity points at various times during the exercise session, and the line 1806 represents the overall period that the user earned activity points. Line 1808 can represent the average rate at which the user has earned activity points during this particular session, and line 1812 can represent the best rate of earning activity points over the period. In one example, line 1806 can represent how many activity points a user earns per minute or other time period (eg, milliseconds, seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, etc.). The activity point display 1804 may include other, but not limited to lines indicating metrics, such as averages, including average rate of activity points acquired over a predetermined number of previous sessions (eg, the three most recent sessions). Marks can also be presented. In addition, these lines can have different colors. If a new all-time best is established, the activity point display 1804 may flash or otherwise present an indication of achievement.

  The computer 102 can determine the percentage of time that the user was in a particular category during an exercise session, including the classification of activities performed by the user, and can present this information to the user in the activity point display 1804. For example, activity point display 1804 shows the percentage of time that the user was not doing anything during the session, the percentage of time that the user was moving sideways, the percentage of time that the user was walking, and the user was running The percentage of time, the percentage of time the user was sprinting, and the percentage of time the user was jumping can be shown. Categories that replace or are added to the categories shown in the activity point display 1804 may also be presented. In addition, the activity point display 1804 can display cumulative time rather than percentage for each of these statistics. The computer 102 determines the total amount of activity points earned during the exercise session, including activity points earned while the user is in each category, and presents such information via an activity point display 1804. it can. In one example, the computer 102 may determine that the user has acquired 25 activity points during walking, 75 activity points during walking, 150 activity points during sprinting, totaling 250 activity points. The computer 102 may determine the calorie burning rate for each category instead of or in addition to determining activity points.

  The computer 102 may also display performance metrics data based on user effort (hustle) and tempo measurements. FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a hustle display 1902A, B and a tempo display 1904A, B according to an exemplary embodiment. The hustle display 1902A can present other performance metrics, including user effort during a session. For example, the computer 102 can track a variety of performance metrics, including total jumps between sessions, sprints, feints, and jump recovery (eg, the shortest time between consecutive jumps), Can be a function of Referring to the hustle display 1902B, the computer 102 can divide the hard work into three categories: low, medium, and high. There can be more or fewer hard work categories. The hustle display 1902B can also present a line 1906 that shows the average effort level over the session.

  Referring to tempo display 1904A, computer 102 can present information about the user's tempo during the session. The tempo can be based on the user's rate of steps per time interval (eg, the number of steps per minute). A category can be defined by a range of walking rates. For example, walking can be defined as 1 to 30 steps per minute, jogging can be defined as 31 to 50 steps per minute, running can be defined as 51 to 70 steps per minute, and sprints can be defined as 71 steps or more per minute. Referring to tempo display 1904B, computer 102 can indicate how often the user was in each category during the session. For example, the tempo display 1904B can indicate the percentage of time the user was in each category (eg, 12% sprint). The tempo display 1904 can also indicate the fastest number of steps per second or other time period of the user (eg, 4.1 steps / second), the total number of steps, and the total number of sprints.

  The computer 102 can also notify the user of total activity points earned, including activity points earned during training. FIG. 20 illustrates an example of an activity point display in a GUI that notifies the user of activity points earned by the user during a session according to an exemplary embodiment. The computer 102 can process the data acquired during the training session to give points to the user. Points can track user activity across different sports and training sessions. Point displays 2002A, B may allow a user to determine points earned in a day range, training session, or other range.

  The computer 102 can also track user-defined movements. FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a freestyle display of a GUI that provides information about freestyle user movement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In the freestyle display 2102A, the computer 102 can prompt the user to start a movement for tracking. The user can perform any desired type of movement, referred to herein as a “freestyle” movement. In the freestyle display 2102B, the computer 102 can display the user's vertical jump during the freestyle movement, the flight time, and the foot used for the jump. Freestyle display 2102B may display performance metrics deemed relevant by system 100, by a user, or both. For example, the performance metrics can be vertical jump, flight time, feet as shown in display 2102B, weight distribution as shown in display 2102C, or both with user switching. . In the freestyle display 2102C, the computer 102 can display the weight distribution measured by the distributed sensor 306. The user can review the weight distribution over time and determine how the user's weight distribution appears to affect the availability of the user to move or jump. The user can move between the displays 2102A-C, for example, by sliding his / her finger across the display.

  In addition to monitoring the user's performance during the session, the computer 102 can assist the user in improving their athletic skills. FIG. 22 illustrates an example of a training display 2202A, B presenting a user-selectable training session according to an exemplary embodiment. A training session can guide the user through a specified set of movements to improve the user's athletic performance. Examples of training sessions include shoot practice, around the world game, buzzer beater game, professional player game, basic game, airtime game, continuous crossover game, free throw balance game, good at Can include trick games, professional battle games, and hose games. These training sessions are further described in FIGS. For example, the computer 102 may have a touch screen that allows the user to scroll and select between the training sessions shown in FIGS.

  FIGS. 27-30 illustrate example GUI displays for a basketball training session in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In FIG. 27, a training display 2702 presents the user with information about the user's last session (eg, percentage of free throw shoots, three point shoots, and jump shoots) and indicates the start of a new session. The user can be prompted. The computer 102 can monitor touches on the pressure sensitive display screen and track successes and failures. To do so, the computer 102 can monitor how many fingers have been used and distinguish between basketball shots. For example, as shown in FIG. 28, using three fingers to indicate a basketball three-point shoot, using two fingers to indicate a two-point shoot, and a single finger Can be used to indicate a free throw. A tap with one or more fingers on the display screen can indicate a shot success and a swipe with one or more fingers across the portion of the display screen can indicate a shot failure. In another example, swiping down the display screen of computer 102 with one or more fingers indicates success, and swiping upward with one or more fingers indicates failure. sell.

  The computer 102 can determine the difference between taps and swipes, including the number of fingers used by processing user input. The computer 102 can distinguish between one finger, two fingers, or three fingers by determining the area of the display screen covered by the finger when tapping and / or swiping the display screen. The computer 102 can also determine the duration of the touch, and can distinguish between a tap and a swipe depending on whether the area where the user first touched is different from the area of the display screen at the end of the touch. As shown in FIG. 29, the training display 2702 can display information about success and failure to the user at the end of the session. The training display 2702 can display a total for all shoot types including success / failure for each shoot type. For example, the training display 2702A can display successes and failures for free throws, and the training display 2702B can display successes and failures for jump shoots. Training display 2702B may aggregate two-point and three-point basketball shoots, display success and failure together, or separate displays may present success and failure for each type of shot.

  FIG. 30 illustrates a display example of a GUI that provides a user with information about a shoot practice session according to an exemplary embodiment. The shoot summary display 3002A is a percentage that the user has selected all shoots or a specific shoot type to shoot successfully (eg, 55.6%), the number of consecutive successful shoots, and the shoot succeeds. It is possible to obtain information about the “sweet spot” of the vertical jump of the user. A sweet spot can indicate a vertical jump in which the percentage of a user's shoot (eg, the percentage of successful shoots) exceeds a predetermined amount (eg, 50%). The computer 102 can process data from the pod sensor 304 and / or the distributed sensor 306 and provide information about shoot success and failure to the user via the GUI. This information includes average vertical jumps on success and failure, and can tell the user how jump height affects the user's shooting performance. The shoot summary display 3002B can inform the user as to which foot was used during the jump as part of the shoot, along with the height of the vertical jump and whether the shoot was successful or failed. The shoot summary display 3002C can provide the user with information about the success and failure of the three-point shoot.

  The shoot summary display 3002 can provide the user with statistical information about the impact of the user's balance on the user's shoot by indicating the number of successful balanced shots and the number of unbalanced shoots successful. . The computer 102 can determine the balance based on the weight distribution measured by the distributed sensor 306 while the user shoots. If the weight is relatively evenly distributed between both feet of the user (ie, within a certain threshold), the computer 102 can identify the shot as balanced. If the weight is relatively unevenly distributed between both feet of the user (ie, within a certain threshold), the computer 102 can identify the shot as unbalanced. The shoot summary display 3002C can also provide the user with feedback about the user's balance and tips to correct problems with the unbalanced weight distribution. For example, the number of successful shots when the user's weight is balanced can be shown in field 3004, and the number of successful shots when the user's weight is not balanced can be shown in field 3006.

  In one example, the computer 102 can receive and process the data generated by the force sensor to determine a weight distribution during execution of an exercise task (eg, a basketball jump shoot). Computer 102 can process user input indicating that the exercise task has been successfully completed (eg, a successful shoot). The computer 102 can associate a user input indicating that the exercise task has been successfully completed with a weight distribution detected at a preceding time point. For example, the computer 102 may process sensor data to identify movements that harmonize with a basketball shoot, lift the user's jump during the jump shoot, the time period preceding the lift, landing, and post-landing The weight distribution starting with the detection of the time period can be determined. The computer 102 can monitor the weight distribution over these time periods. The computer 102 can process additional user input that indicates an unsuccessful completion of the exercise task (eg, a shot failure) at a subsequent time point (eg, a second or subsequent jump shoot). The computer 102 can associate a user input indicating that the exercise task has been completed successfully with a weight distribution detected at a preceding time point. The computer 102 provides the user with information about the user's weight distribution after and during the exercise task and how the distribution affected the ability of the user to complete the exercise task. Can be presented.

  The GUI can also provide the user with a motivation for practicing basketball shoots. FIG. 31 illustrates a display example of a GUI for notifying a user of a shoot milestone according to an exemplary embodiment. The milestone display 3102 may inform the user about one or more shoot thresholds and the number of shots the user has successfully completed. For example, the milestone display 3102 may indicate that the user has successfully shot 108, so that the user has reached amateur status and must have successfully completed an additional 392 shot to reach the next status level. You can show that there is.

  As part of the practice to enhance the user's skills, the computer 102 may prompt the user to perform a movement that is similar to the movement used by professional athletes. FIG. 32 illustrates an example of a skill display for a GUI that prompts the user to practice practicing tricking professional athletes according to an exemplary embodiment. In addition to the professional skills of professional athletes, users can create their own skills and share them with other users.

  In one example, the user can enter a search query in the specialty technique display 3202A to initiate a search for a desired professional athlete. The computer 102 can forward the search query to the server 134, which can subsequently return the query results. Server 134 may also provide computer 102 with recommended best practices for display prior to a user entering a search query. As shown in the good skill display 3202A, the computer 102 can display different good techniques for each user selection. The skill display 3202B may present a video of the skill in response to the selection of a particular movement and provide professional performance metrics for that movement. For example, the computer 102 queries the server 134 for the skill data in response to the user's selection, and generates the skill display 3202B. Proficiency data may include data from pod sensors 304 and distributed sensors 306 of professional athletes performing proficiency skills. The user attempts to imitate the skill, and the computer 102 can process the user data to indicate the accuracy of the imitation.

  After the successful attempt is completed, the computer 102 can tell the user how successful the imitation of movement is. To identify consistency, the computer 102 can compare the data acquired from the pod sensor 304 and / or the distributed sensor 306 with the skill data and determine whether the two are similar. The computer 102 monitors the length required by the user to complete the skill, the user's vertical jump, the user's flight time, the user's tempo, or other information and displays this data and corresponding data from professional athletes. You can compare. The computer 102 may also indicate how accurately the user has imitated the professional athlete's expertise, as shown in the expertise display 3202C. The accuracy can be based on a combination of the degree to which each of the performance metrics is similar to that of a professional player. The computer 102 may weight certain metrics higher than others, or may weight each metric equally. For example, good skill data provides information about three different metrics, and each of the three metrics can be compared to user data. The computer 102 determines the ratio of the user's performance metrics to the professional metrics and can be identified as consistent if the ratio is above a threshold (eg, 80%). The accuracy can also be determined in other ways.

  In one example, computer 102 corresponds to measured acceleration and force data from a first user (eg, professional athlete) performing an exercise task sequence (eg, a dunk following a basketball cut). You can receive your skill data. The computer 102 can receive and process user data generated by at least one of the sensors 304 and 306 by monitoring a second user attempting to perform the same sequence of exercise tasks. The computer 102 can then generate a similarity metric that indicates how similar the user data is to the skill data.

  The computer 102 may also provide users with data about performance metrics from other users and / or professional athletes for comparison as part of the social network. FIG. 33 illustrates an example display of a GUI for searching for other user and / or professional athletes for performance metrics comparison in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. As shown in display 3302A, computer 102 can communicate with server 134 to identify professional players or user friends. Each individual can be associated with a unique identifier. For example, the user can add friends or professional players as shown in the left GUI display. When the user selects a friend / professional player to add, the user can enter a search query into the computer 102 for communication with the server 134, from that server, as shown in the display 3302B, Persons and / or professional players that match the search query are returned. As shown in display 3302C, the user can set up a user profile that identifies his friends and / or favorite professional athletes so that the computer 102 can automatically load these individuals.

  The computer 102 can present data for sharing with friends or for posting to social networking web sites. For example, in FIG. 34, display 3402A provides information for sharing including points, highest vertical jump, total hover time, and highest tempo. Display 3402B provides, for example, a side-by-side comparison of the identified friend and user performance metrics. In one example, the server 134 stores each user's performance metrics and can communicate data with other users' computers 102 upon request.

  FIG. 35 illustrates an example display for comparing user performance metrics with other individuals according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, display 3502A may provide a leaderboard for comparing user performance metrics with friends, selected professional athletes, or all other users including professional athletes. An example leaderboard may be for the highest vertical jump, highest tempo, total hover time, total played games, total earned awards, or other performance metrics. Display 3502B allows the user to see whether each individual's performance metrics are in or out of a performance zone (eg, a dunk zone). Computer 102 may also allow a user to compare his performance metrics with a particular group (eg, friends) or with all users.

  The above discussion is mainly provided in relation to basketball, but the above example can be applied to other team sports as well as individual sports.

  FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for determining whether physical data monitoring a user performing physical activity according to an exemplary embodiment has been acquired in a performance zone. . The method of FIG. 36 can be implemented by a computer, such as a computer 102, a server 134, a distributed computing system, a cloud computer, other devices, combinations thereof, and the like. The order of the steps shown in FIG. 36 can be rearranged, additional steps can be included, some steps can be removed, and some steps can be repeated one or more times. The method begins at block 3602.

  The method may include, at block 3602, processing an input that specifies user attributes. In one example, the computer 102 can prompt the user to enter one or more user attributes. Exemplary user attributes may include height, weight, arm length, torso length, leg length, length with both arms extended, and the like. In one example, the user can specify his length. Body length can be a measure of how far the opposite hand can reach with one leg of the user on the floor.

  The method may include, at block 3604, adjusting a performance zone based on user attributes. In one example, the computer 102 may indicate a performance zone with respect to a height that a user must jump to perform a basketball dunk out of the user's height, arm length, torso length, and leg length. Can be adjusted based on one or more of: This performance zone compared the minimum jump height for taller users to do basketball dunks with the minimum jump height required for lower users to dunk or reach the basketball ring When you can specify lower.

  The method may include receiving data generated by the sensor at block 3606. In one example, the computer 102 can receive data from at least one of the sensors 304 and 306 during an exercise session in which the user performs one or more jumps. As described above, this data can be a raw signal, or can be data processed by a sensor prior to transmission to computer 102.

  The method may include, at block 3608, determining whether the data is in a performance zone. In one example, computer 102 processed data received from at least one of sensors 206 and 304 and the jump made by the user exceeded the minimum jump height of the performance zone adjusted for that user attribute. You can decide whether or not. For example, the computer 102 can determine that a user needs a 30-inch minimum vertical jump to perform a basketball dunk based on the user's user attributes. The computer 102 can process the data received from at least one of the sensors 304 and 306 to determine whether a jump made by the user meets or exceeds 30 inches. The computer 102 processes the data generated by at least one of the accelerometer and the force sensor to determine the height of the vertical jump and compares the data with the jump data and the data is a jump. In particular, it can be determined that there is no contradiction (for example, a user sitting in a chair has not simply left his / her foot off the ground for a predetermined time). In response to this comparison, the computer 102 can process the data generated by at least one of the accelerometer and the force sensor to determine lift time, landing time, and loft time. The computer 102 can calculate a vertical jump based on the loft time.

  The method may include a decision output at block 3610. In one example, the computer 102 can output a determination as to whether the user was in a performance zone. This output may be at least one of audible or visible. The computer 102 can provide an output as soon as it detects that the user is in the performance zone, or can output a decision at some later time (eg, after training). The method can then terminate or return to any previous step.

  FIG. 37 illustrates a system that can be used to promote the sale of products having embedded or attached sensors in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Products 3702a, 3702b, and 3702c can be implemented with footwear, jackets, training pants, or other clothing items. Products 3702a, 3702b and 3702c have sensors 3704a, 3704b and 3704c, respectively, embedded or attached. In various embodiments, sensors 3704a, 3704b, and 3704c can be implemented using any of the sensors described above, or a combination of these sensors. In one example embodiment, products 3702a, 3702b, and 3702c are footwear, and sensors 3704a, 3704b, and 3704c are pressure sensitive resistance (FSR) sensors 206 shown in FIG. 3A. Performance data generated by sensors 3704a, 3704b and 3704c can be sent to performance applications 3706a, 3706b and 3706c hosted on computing units 3708a, 3708b and 3708c, respectively. Applications 3706a, 3706b and 3706c can be configured to convert performance data into performance metrics. Exemplary performance metrics may include vertical jump height, flight time, and activity points. The synchronization and scoring application 3710 can be configured to receive data from the performance applications 3706a, 3706b, and 3706c and generate a leaderboard. The leaderboard can be displayed on one or more larger display screens 3712. Computing units 3708a, 3708b, and 3708c may be connected via a local area network 3714. The local area network 3714 can be connected to the wide area network 3716.

  Some embodiments may use a control computer 3720 to control data collection and leaderboard generation. In those embodiments, computing units 3708a, 3708b, and 3708c may be configured to send and receive data. A central database 3722 may also be used to store performance data and / or performance metrics at the central location. Alternatively, performance data and / or performance metrics can be stored in computing units 3708a, 3708b and 3708c.

  The system shown in FIG. 37 can be used to inspire potential customers to try out products and compete with each other. The result of the competition can be displayed on a display screen 3712 that can be placed in close proximity to the exhibited product 3718. This configuration allows the customer to view the status or results of competition using the product while the customer is trying the product.

  FIG. 38 illustrates a method 3800 that can be used to promote the sale of a product having an embedded or attached sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At block 3802, the user is prompted to perform physical activities while using the footwear provided for sale at the store. Footwear may include one or more attached or implanted sensors. The performance application 3706 may prompt the user to perform physical activities by displaying instructions or examples on the display of the computing unit 3708. At block 3804, the computing unit receives performance data from at least one sensor embedded in the footwear. Performance data may be received via a wireless connection, such as a Bluetooth connection. After receiving performance data, the processor may determine performance metrics at block 3806. This processor may be part of computing unit 3708. Block 3806 may include converting the data received from the sensor into performance metrics such as vertical jump height, hover time, activity points, and number of iterations during a predetermined time period.

  The processor can then determine an activity score from the performance metrics at block 3808. The activity score can indicate where the user is ranked among many other users. For example, an activity can correspond to a percentile ranking. At block 3810, a leaderboard may be generated based on the activity score for a plurality of users performing physical activities using footwear provided for sale at a store. Block 3810 may include a conversion from a percentile score to a ranking among users in the store who are currently participating in or recently participated in the physical activity. For example, suppose three users are doing physical activity and the ranks are percentiles 95, 63, and 21. Block 3810 can convert this data to first, second, and third positions and display them on the leaderboard. In a next block 3812, a leaderboard can be displayed on the viewable display in the store where the footwear offered for sale is displayed.

Various other features and devices can be used in accordance with the embodiments described herein. Additional or alternative features can also be incorporated into the device and / or its associated application.
Conclusion

  Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific examples, including the modes preferred for the practice of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that there are many variations and permutations on the systems described above. You will recognize. For example, the various aspects of the invention may be used in different combinations and the different partial combinations of aspects of the invention may be used together in a single system or method without departing from the invention. sell. In one example, the software and applications described herein may be embodied as computer readable instructions stored within a computer readable medium. Also, various elements, components, and / or steps described herein, changes in order, omissions, and / or additions of additional elements, components, and / or steps without departing from the invention Can be done. Accordingly, the present invention should be construed broadly.

Claims (20)

(A) encouraging the user to perform physical activities while using the footwear provided for sale at the store;
(B) receiving at a computing unit performance data from at least one sensor embedded in the footwear;
(C) determining performance metrics from the performance data in a processor;
(D) determining an activity score from the performance metrics in a processor;
(E) generating a leaderboard based on an activity score for a plurality of users performing the physical activity using footwear provided for sale at the store;
Including a method.   The method of claim 1, wherein one of the performance metrics includes a vertical jump height.   The method of claim 1, wherein one of the performance metrics includes a flight time.   The method of claim 1, wherein one of the performance metrics includes an activity point.   The method of claim 1, wherein one of the performance metrics includes a number of physical activity iterations.   6. The method of claim 5, wherein one of the performance metrics includes a number of vertical jumps that exceed a certain height within a predetermined time. further,
(F) displaying the leaderboard on a display that can be viewed in the store close to the display of footwear offered for sale;
The method of claim 1. further,
Receiving performance data from a wrist-worn sensor at a computing device,
The method of claim 1. further,
Receiving at a computing device performance data from at least one image capture sensor;
The method of claim 1.   The method of claim 9, wherein the image capture sensor comprises an IR transceiver. further,
Receiving at a computing device performance data from at least one mobile terminal;
The method of claim 1. further,
Receiving activity scores from other computing devices,
The method of claim 1.   The method according to claim 1, wherein the processor in (c) and the processor in (b) are the same processor. At least one processor;
When executed by the at least one processor, prompting the user to perform physical activity on the device at least (a) while using footwear provided for sale to the store;
(B) receiving performance data from at least one sensor embedded in the footwear;
(C) determining performance metrics from the performance data;
(D) determining an activity score from the performance metrics;
(E) generating a leaderboard based on an activity score for a plurality of users performing the physical activity using footwear provided for sale at the store;
An apparatus comprising at least one memory storing computer-executable instructions for causing   The apparatus of claim 14, wherein one of the performance metrics includes a vertical jump height.   The apparatus of claim 14, wherein one of the performance metrics includes a flight time.   The apparatus of claim 14, wherein one of the performance metrics includes an activity point.   The apparatus of claim 14, wherein one of the performance metrics includes a number of physical activity iterations. A non-transitory computer readable medium that, when executed, prompts a user to perform physical activities at least while using the footwear provided for sale to the store; ,
(B) receiving performance data from at least one sensor embedded in the footwear;
(C) determining performance metrics from the performance data;
(D) determining an activity score from the performance metrics;
(E) generating a leaderboard based on an activity score for a plurality of users performing the physical activity using footwear provided for sale at the store;
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for causing   The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein one of the performance metrics includes a vertical jump height.