WO2018014076A1

WO2018014076A1 - Measuring and comparing physical performance along routes

Info

Publication number: WO2018014076A1
Application number: PCT/AU2017/050736
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Tinkler
Original assignee: Andrew Tinkler
Priority date: 2016-07-18
Filing date: 2017-07-17
Publication date: 2018-01-25

Abstract

The invention provides a method and associated systems for assessing and comparing performance, comprising steps implemented in software running on a computer system, the steps comprising: receiving (22,101) a set of time (tk)and position (xk) measurements obtained from a geolocation device (3) which define a progress of an individual (1) proceeding along a route (40); determining a measured performance value (23,102) being a performance value of the individual measured on the route; determining a standard performance value (24,103) being the performance value of a notional person performing at a standard level on the route; communicating or recording a result derived from the measured performance value and the standard performance value (25,104) to a user; and wherein the steps of determining the measured or standard performance values (23,24,102,103) comprise calculations using the set of time (tk) and position (xk) measurements, based on a model of expended effort against one or more factors affecting the progress.

Description

TITLE

MEASURING AND COMPARING PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE ALONG ROUTES

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to measurement and

comparison of physical performance involving progression along a route with standards, in particular but not limited to athletic, sport or recreational activity.

BACKGROUND

[0002] It is known for athletes to use devices to record geographical, environmental, equipment and biometric data as they make progress on an activity such as cycling along a road. Smart phones and associated detection hardware have the

capability when appropriately programmed using a dedicated application to record such data, which may be transmitted to a server over the Internet. Geographical data may include time and position coordinates from a GPS locator from which geographical location, instantaneous speed, distance, and elevation may be determined. Environmental data may include meteorological data such as wind speed, rain, humidity or temperature which may be obtained indirectly from other Internet connected sources of meteorological information in relation to locations visited. Equipment data relates to aspects of the equipment used by the person and for example in a cycling application may include cadence data (speed of pedalling) obtained from a cadence sensor. Biometric data may include pulse rate, breathing, body movements determined from an accelerometer data and the like in relation to the athlete. [0003] Strava, Inc (www.strava.com) provides a system whereby information from an athlete's smart phone or other GPS capable device can be communicated over the Internet and the performance of an athlete compared with historical performance of other athletes in a community of athletes over the same segment of a route. An example of algorithms used to compare efforts of different athletes on the same segments is disclosed in US patents 9,208,175, 9,291,713, 9,297,651 and 8,718,927 each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such technology enables athletes to compare themselves directly with each other and to obtain an indication of competitive performance on a particular route segment. However, an athlete may choose to exercise or practice on many and varied routes and the technique of comparing with historical data relies on a large number of community members generating data along the route, which is often sparse or unavailable.

[0004] There is therefore a need to provide an improved system for generating a comparative performance which is adaptable to routes where there is no or limited historical data available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with a first broad aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assessing and comparing

performance, comprising steps implemented in software running on a computer system, the steps comprising:

receiving a set of time and position measurements obtained from a geolocation device which define a progress of an

individual proceeding along a route;

determining a measured performance value being a performance value of the individual measured on the route;

determining a standard performance value being the

performance value of a notional person performing at a standard level on the route;

communicating or recording a result derived from the measured performance value and the standard performance value to a user; and

wherein the steps of determining the measured or standard performance values comprise calculations using the set of time and position measurements, based on a model of expended effort against one or more factors affecting the progress.

[0006] In accordance with a second broad aspect of the

invention there is provided a system for assessing and comparing performance, implemented in software running on a computer system, the system comprising:

a time and position measurement receiver adapted to receive a set of time and position measurements obtained from a

geolocation device which define a progress of an individual proceeding along a route;

a measured performance value determiner adapted to determine a measured performance value being a performance value of the individual measured on the route;

a standard performance value determiner adapted to determine a standard performance value being the performance value of a notional person performing at a standard level on the route; a a result communicator or recorder adapted to communicate to a user or to record a result derived from the measured

performance value and the standard performance value ; and

wherein the measured performance value determiner or the standard performance fee determiner comprises calculations using the set of time and position measurements, based on a model of expended effort against one or more factors affecting the progress .

[0007] In accordance with a third broad aspect of the invention there is provided a system for measuring, assessing and

comparing performance, comprising:

a geolocation device associated with an individual proceeding along a route, the geolocation device being adapted to measure a set of time and position measurements which define a progress of the individual proceeding along the route;

a time and position measurement receiver adapted to receive the set of time and position measurements;

a standard performance value determiner adapted to determine a standard performance value being the performance value of a notional person performing at a standard level on the route; a result communicator or recorder adapted to communicate to a user or to record a result derived from the measured performance value and the standard performance value ; and

[0008] Preferred or optional aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying claims and description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a functional diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the current invention and its

interrelationships ;

[0010] Figure 2 is a depiction of a route and time and position data points illustrating the embodiment of the current

invention ;

[0011] Figure 3 is a flow diagram showing method steps of an embodiment of the current invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Embodiments of the current invention will now be

described.

[0013] Referring first to Figure 1, a functional diagram is shown of a system according to an embodiment of invention, applied to cycling. Referring also to Figure 2, a route 40 is shown. Cyclist individuals 1 each proceed along route 40. Route 40 may be an entire journey episode of an individual 1 or may be a segment of a journey episode which may be selected later by individual 1 or predefined. Each cyclist 1 is wearing or

carrying a mobile device as is known in the art comprising a geolocation device such as a GPS receiver. The mobile device may be for example a programmed smart phone or a dedicated device. As each cyclist 1 progresses along the route 40, time t_k (k=l..n) and position Xk (k=l..n) measurements periodically obtained from the geolocation device, n being the total number of measurements taken. At each data point k is associated the position

coordinates Xk at time tk. Each Xk is a three-dimensional vector typically expressed as latitude, longitude and altitude. The time points tk are typically a few seconds apart but may be more sparsely recorded depending on need and also depending on occasional inaccessibility of the geolocation device. The time and position measurements may be recorded in the mobile device and may be transmitted either immediately via a mobile data link 2 through Internet 4 or at a later time to a geolocation data recorder 3. In embodiments where the system of the invention is implemented on the mobile device itself, the time and position measurements may not necessarily be transmitted.

[0014] It will be appreciated that, as is known in the art of distributed system design, each component of the system and associated elements may be co-located or located separately with communication links where necessary typically via the Internet. For example, geolocation data recorder 3 may be a separate system as illustrated in Figure 1 and accessible over Internet 4 such as provided by the strava.com website or Garmin Express application, or may be located privately on each mobile device or a home computer of each individual 1 or may be located within performance assessing and comparing system 10.

[0015] Performance assessing and comparing system 10 contains the computer hardware and software components of an embodiment of one aspect of the invention, which comprise a system

processor 20 and system memory 30. Processor 20 implements software modules interacting with memory 30 comprising a web interface 21, a time and position measurement receiver 22, a measured performance value determiner 23, a standard performance value determiner 24, and a performance value recorder 25. In this embodiment, performance assessing and comparing system 10 is implemented as a server serving the needs of a population of individuals 1. [0016] Web interface 21 is in data communication via Internet 4 with users including the individual cyclists 1 each having individual account access rights to data of the individual and selected data of other individuals for competition and

comparison purposes. Web interface 21 is also in data

communication with geolocation data recorder 3.

[0017] Time and position measurement receiver 22 implements the step 101 in Figure 3 of receiving a set of time and position measurements obtained from a geolocation system which define a progress of individual 1 proceeding along the route 40

[0018] Time and position measurement receiver 22 receives the stored time and position measurements (tk,Xk) in relation to the cyclists progressing on the route from geolocation data recorder 3, which may be triggered by a transfer request from individuals 1 after completion of the route. Time and position measurement receiver 22 may also be implemented to automatically receive the stored time and position measurements (tk,Xk) by periodic query or by push notification from geolocation data recorder 3, which may be located separately or may be located on the mobile devices or both.

[0019] Measured performance value determiner 23 performs the step 102 in Figure 3 of determining a measured performance value, being a performance value of the individual 1 measured on the route 40. Different embodiments of the determination of the measured performance values are provided in the examples below.

[0020] Standard performance value determiner 24 performs the step 103 in Figure 3 of determining a standard performance value, being a performance value of a notional person performing a standard level on the route 40. Different embodiments of the determination of the standard performance values are provided in the examples below.

[0021] Result communicator or recorder 25 performs the step 104 in Figure 3 of communicating or recording a result derived from the measured performance value and the standard performance value for the individual to individual 1 or other user or users. The communication may occur in real time in some embodiments, or after the individual has completed the route. The communication may occur automatically or on demand. The communication may occur over a number of routes including web interface 21 and may be communicated on various media as will be understood by persons skilled in the art, such as a visual display or other audiovisual apparatus. The result derived from the measured performance value in the standard performance value is a

comparative result and may simply be provided as the two

measured and standard values for comparison by the user, a computed comparison between the two such as a ratio or

difference. In embodiments where the standard performance value is or can be a fixed constant such as a fixed power, the

measured performance value may contain within its determination sufficient information to provide in itself an comparative result, such as the equivalent power or equivalent handicap computation methods described below. Typically also the result is recorded in system memory 30 or other location for future use .

[0022] By producing a measured performance value and the standard performance value, the system enables comparison of the performance of the individual against a standard. As described below, that standard may be an objective standard such as the standard of an elite performer, or may be a relative standard of the individual which may be defined with relation to an objective standard adjusted by an individual handicap. The steps of determining either the measured or standard performance values comprise calculations of one or more velocity values using the time and position measurements, the calculations being based on a functional relationship P_E=F (V) between an expended power PE and the velocity V modelling velocity dependent factors contributing to the expended power of the individual or notional person. The use of an expended power relationship enables the objective or standardisation of performance for arbitrary routes which have differing conditions affecting performance and therefore also comparison between different routes. Also enabled is the formulation of a handicap system which is not restricted to utilising data from a small number of routes or route

segments .

[0023] Velocity calculations

[0024] Embodiments of the system and method of the invention may calculate one or more velocity values. When the velocities relate to the measured velocity of the individual, the velocity values are calculated using the time and position measurements

(tk,Xk) . The velocity values may be calculated between adjacent time and position measurements k and k+1, or may be calculated between non-adjacent time positions k and k+d, where d>l , depicted by the open circles such as P in Figure 2. Segments of the progress of the individual along the route where the

individual is stopped, decelerating or accelerating due to traffic may be detected by inference of the time and position measurements and this detection may be informed by measurements of third-party traffic congestion which may be obtained over Internet 4 from third-party providers. Such congestion affected segments of the progress of individual 1 may be tagged by the system and excluded from analysis described below, or other adjustment may be performed.

[0025] In a simplest form, the invention can involve

computation of a single velocity which may be simply computed as

(Xn-xi) / (tn-ti) , or which may be adjusted for periods of

congestion as described above. Typically, a plurality of

velocities or average velocities are computed over the route in order to provide as accurate as possible reflection of the characteristics which vary over the length of the route. The velocities V may be 3-component vector but also may simply be magnitudes (speeds) as the direction if needed (for example to subtract a wind speed W) can be ascertained from the route coordinates Xk at tk.

[0026] Expended power relationship

[0027] Also used in embodiments of the system and method of the invention is a functional relationship P_E=F (V) between an

expended power PE and the velocity V modelling velocity dependent factors contributing to the expended power of the individual or notional person.

[0028] This functional relationship may be used to determine for a notional person assumed to be generating a certain power, the constant velocity which would result.

[0029] An example functional form for the current example of cycling taking into account the factors of road resistance, air resistance and gravitational gradient is as follows:

Where PE is the power expended through the feet on the pedals;

E is an overall efficiency ratio of transfer of effort from the pedals to the road;

K_r is an overall road resistance factor, which is affected by tyre construction, tyre inflation, road condition;

M is a the total mass of rider and bike;

V is the velocity vector;

I I denotes magnitude (i.e. speed) ;

W is a wind vector, which may be obtained from a third party meteorological service and which may be time and position- dependent over the route;

K_a is an air resistance constant, which is affected by cross-sectional area and streamlining facing into the effective wind generated by the motion corrected for wind speed |V-W| . K_a may also be altitude or location dependent;

G is a gravitational constant;

I is an inclination fraction expressed as a change in altitude per horizontal distance, positive when climbing, zero on the flat and negative when descending.

[0030] In the embodiments described here, factors on the right- hand side which depend on the equipment or rider quality such as E, K_r, K_a and M are set at predetermined levels for all

individuals, the predetermined values being typical of an elite rider and equipment. When the method of the invention is

performed, the individual 1 is then able to improve their measured performance value relative to the standard measured values by physical training, improved equipment or weight loss. In more complicated embodiments, some of these factors may vary, for example the air resistance factor K_a may be varied to account for pack riding or slipstreaming which might be detected along the route when many individuals are competing together and their positions tracked, or might alternatively be a value input by the user after the ride.

[0031] In the examples provided below, the functional

relationship is utilised either to calculate an equivalent expended power PE from a measured velocity V, or conversely to deduce a notional velocity from a fixed value of expended power PE. These calculations or deductions may by any suitable method, including look up tables , solution of polynomial equations , iterative solution, direct evaluation and the like.

[0032] Example 1 - comparing times

[0033] In this example, the measured performance value is expressed as a total time spent by the individual progressing the route. If no adjustment is to be performed for traffic congestion, this may be simply calculated as t_n-ti. Otherwise, identified segments on the route comprising periods of stopping, acceleration or deceleration due to congestion as discussed above may be removed from the analysis, reducing the calculation of total time and reducing the total effective length of the route .

[0034] The standard performance value for the route is computed as follows: a standard power output Ps is specified representing the expected power output for a notional person performing at the standard level. Ps may be a constant power output and may be computed as a base power output P_so optionally adjusted by a standard tiring function depending on the length of the route L or other route parameters. For example:

[0036] In other embodiments, instead of a constant average power output adjusted for total route length L, P_s may be a predetermined function of time tk spent riding, effectively producing a similar result taking account of tiring for long journeys on a minute by minute basis. Ps may also be designed to vary along the route such as when descending or cornering to take account of the fact that riders tend to coast during those activities .

[0037] The standard level may be defined with respect to a fixed reference level of performance, such as an elite level. In this case, the standard power output Ps is appropriately set at an accepted value for elite performance (possibly adjusted for length L and time tk) . The base power output Pso for elite cyclists may be approximately 360 W for males and 270 W for females as provisionally estimated by the current inventor, or any other accepted value. Alternatively, a fixed reference level could be an accepted median, beginner, intermediate, or advanced level. When the standard level is defined with respect to the fixed reference level, notional person is a notional performer at that fixed reference level and the standard performance value provides a comparison of the measured performance value of the individual with that fixed standard.

[0038] Alternatively, the standard level may be defined with respect to a population average level of performance, such as an average determined from a peer group of the individual or a population measured using the system. In this case, the notional person is a notional performer performing at the average level of the population, and this provides a ready comparison within teams or local groups . [0039] Further alternatively, the standard level may be defined with respect to a measure of the performance of the individual at previous occurrences , such as may be provided by the

provision and regular updating of a handicap as described in examples below. Conveniently, in this case the base value Pso may be defined with respect to the fixed reference level such as the elite level as follows:

[0040]

[0041] where H is the handicap of the individual and C is a constant. This generates a handicap between zero and 100, being the minimum value zero when the individual is performing at an elite level. For example, for males. Other

versions of handicap are also contemplated with the reverse configuration, referred to below as "Rider Level" with a maximal value of 100 when the individual is performing at an elite level, whereby the formula above may be replaced by for example

[0042] With the standard power output Ps determined in

accordance with one of the above possibilities (which as

described above may be a constant or functionally dependent on route parameters varying along the route or with time) , the process of calculating standard performance value in this example is to calculate a total time spent by the notional person performing at the standard level, adapted for comparison with the measured performance value. This may be done by

determining one or more velocities V_s for the notional person at different values of the time and position along the route implied by the conservation of energy expressed by PS=P_E (V) . In embodiments, PE (V) appropriately is sensitive to parameters such as gradient which varies along the route depending on location x and wind velocity for which data may be available and most likely is a global parameter for the route which may be assumed constant or varying with time t. The values of gradient at each position value along the route are obtained from the set time and position measurements. The values of wind velocity are typically obtained from a third-party meteorological service. As discussed above, Ps which represents the standard performance may also be designed in more complex embodiments to depend on location, gradient, other specific route parameters or or even velocity V itself.

[0043] Calculation of the velocity V_s along the route is a straightforward calculation beginning at the route start xi and progressing along the route at selected position points xi solving PS=PE(V_s) to obtaining at each point an average or instantaneous velocities Vs(x_i) . Time elements may then be calculated as (xi-Xi-i) /V_s (xi) and the time elements cumulated to produce time values ti. Because in general, depending on the complexity of the models, Ps or Pv may have explicit time

dependence, such as when wind velocity is recorded varying over time, time values ti may need to be tabulated from start to finish and the calculation is essentially a simulation of the journey of the notional person performing at the standard level from start to finish. The total time is the value of t_n-ti or the sum of all the time elements, which provides the standard performance value. The solution of PS=P_E (V_s) may be obtained by a number of methods well known in the art, appropriate to the particular functional form of P_E (V) . For a cubic polynomial provided in the example above, the solution is easily calculated explicitly using established formulas. In general, look up tables or iterative evaluation may also be used. The xi are not necessarily the same as the position measurements Xk but are conveniently so and must of course define the same route. The standard value performance value is then the value of this total time, which can be compared to the total time spent by the individual .

[0044] The usefulness of this example is that the individual can assess how many seconds or minutes they were slower of faster compared to the standard level for their measured

performance on the route, which provides the simulated

experience of the notional person actually having competed with the individual on the route. Because of the availability of wireless real-time communication and/or significant

computational capabilities on the mobile device itself, the invention can even be implemented using this example to inform the individual in real-time on their mobile device how much time or distance they are behind the notional person performing at the standard level as they progress on the route, further providing the simulated real-time experience of the notional person competing with the standard in real-time on the route. This implementation may require provision in advance of a total route distance if the standard power is sensitive to total distance. The real-time information can be invaluable

information for the individual to gain an appreciation in particular of weaknesses or strengths in their performance compared to elite standard - for example the individual may notice or may be informed by the system of patterns of weakness such as falling further behind the standard when climbing hills. Similarly, when the notional person is a person with the

handicap of the individual, the individual can gain an

appreciation of what aspect of the performance is causing a deterioration or improvement in their measured performance values . [0045] Example 2 - comparing power outputs

[0046] In this example, the measured performance value is the value which utilises in its calculation the expended power function. First, the total time spent by the individual

progressing the route is calculated as above. Next, an

equivalent power output P_I of the individual is determined which would generate the same total time spent by the individual . In general, this may be calculated by trial and error such as using binary search by specifying different parameter values of Pi , which may be a function of location or time, and calculating as described above the total time which would have been spent on the route until the parameter values are converged on which match the measured total time. As a simple example, consider the handicap formula described above which also takes account of tiring for route distance L

[0047]

[0048] and vary H as the parameter value until the total time matches the total measured time. The converged value Hi of H is then an equivalent handicap level which the individual performed to on that day, and the corresponding converged value of P_s is the equivalent power output Pi which the individual generated along the route. Similarly, is the equivalent

base power output Pio of the individual on the route.

[0049] In this example, the standard performance value is simply specified as in the case that

the notional person is the elite performer and the measured performance value is power output. Alternatively, the standard performance value can be where the notional person is the

elite performer and the measured performance value is a base power output Pio . Similarly, the standard performance value can be zero when the notional person is the elite performer and the measured performance value is the equivalent handicap Hi . In the case that notional person is the actual historical handicap H_actual of the individual, the standard performance value can be H_actual and measured performance value can be Hi

[0050] Example 3 - handicap calculation

[0051] In this example, a method of calculating the handicap H is described. Because the invention allows comparison across different routes or combinations of segments previously

unexplored of sparsely explored by the individual or other individuals, it is possible to calculate a handicap by

incorporating a wide variety of journeys undertaken by the individual . Handicaps are typically determined by repeating the method of the invention a number of times , on the same route on different routes to determine corresponding set of values of measured performance values and standard performance values, or function thereof which represents a comparison between the measured and standard performance values. For the calculation of a handicap, the standard performance value is typically

determined with respect to a fixed reference value which is usually the elite value. A convenient way of measuring and accumulating the handicap is to use the method of example 2 to compute in each case an equivalent handicap Hij for each journey j . The handicap is periodically updated by computing a function of the recent values of Hij . For example, the best 8 of the 32 most recent equivalent handicaps Hij may be averaged to produce the updated handicap H of the individual which is used for future comparison as a standard when the notional person is the handicapped individual . [0052] As in sports such as golf which have long established handicap systems, the handicap may be used to help define groupings in races or may be used in handicap races to determine a winner based on performance relative to each individual's handicap. Also, individuals competing against themselves can use the equivalent handicap discussed above to measure themselves against past performance. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate the many and varied uses to which handicaps may be put and methods of calculating in addition to the method

described above.

[0053] Referring now to Table 1A and IB, an example is shown of display by the system to the individual of measured performance values, standard performance values and handicaps (expressed as a rider levels with elite value 100) over a history of the progression of an individual over a number of different routes chosen and named by the individual , in development of a

prototype .

[0054] In table 1A, The columns labelled" Date", "time" and "name" are the date and starting time of each ride and a name description given by the user. The next four columns are under the heading "STRAVA data" which indicates that the data was obtained from user' s connection to the STRAVA system and

represents data calculated and passed by STRAVA. The columns in table IB under the heading "Riderlevel data", indicating

computation by the system of the invention. The column labelled "RL distance" is is the measured length of the route as

determined from the time and position measurements in table 1A, adjusted for sections deleted due to traffic congestion or other impediment. This is calculated in this example by deleting distances where the measured speed was below 5 km/h. The column labelled "RL vertical" is the measured number of vertical metres ascended over the route. The column labelled "RL actual time" is similarly the total time with times deleted were the measured speed was below 5 km/h. This column may be considered in this example to be the measured performance value is defined above and in the claims. The column labelled "scratch time" is a standard performance value for an elite standard calculated as the time which would be spent by an elite cyclist on each route, derived according to the principles of example 1. The column labelled "Starting RL" is the current handicap applying to the individual on each date (increasing performance equals

increasing RiderLevel , with elite value RiderLevel=100 as discussed above) . The column labelled "RL target time" is the standard performance value for a notional person having the handicap equal to the Starting RL on the route, in this

embodiment defined as expected time to be taken to be taken to complete the route undertaken and recorded as "name" . The column labelled "Net time" is the difference between " RL actual time" and "RL target time", in other words how far ahead or behind the individual performed on this occasion compared to the performance expected for their handicap. The column labelled "RiderLevel rode to" is the equivalent handicap implied by the value of "RL Actual time", derived in accordance with example 3 above with reference to example 2 above. "RiderLevel rode to" may be considered to be an alternative expression using the handicap of the measured performance value. The column labelled "NEW RiderLevel" is the updated handicap having regard to the updated history of performance.

[0055] In this example, once a rider has uploaded 32 rides for use in calculating their RiderLevel, the best 8 of their most recent 32 rides ^xRiderLevel Rode to' are used in the calculating their NEW RiderLevel. These best 8 are averaged, and then multiplied by 105% to produce their 'New RiderLevel' . Like a golf handicap, until a rider has completed 32 rides (selected to be used as RiderLevel rides) , the number of rides included in the New RiderLevel calculation gradually builds up to the standard 8.

[0056] Using the handicap and "net time" values, handicap races can be organised and ranked. Other embodiments can involve multiple handicaps each appropriate for different equipment (for example road bike versus time trial bike) and different level of validation (for example social unregulated handicap versus club handicap versus accredited event handicap) , each of which may be calculated differently.

[0057] In conclusion, the invention provides in embodiments described above a system and method whereby individuals may compare themselves against other individuals in a population in terms of performance even in the absence of having progressed along the same routes. Embodiments described above also provide a method by which an individual can assess and analyse their performance having regard to elite reference levels or their own previous performances, after completing a route or even in real time as the journey along the route progresses.

[0058] Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention, which is determined from the broadest scope and claims .

[0059] For example, while the invention has been described in example is with respect to cycling, invention applies to measurement in comparison performance in any activity which involves one or more individuals proceeding along routes and expending energy. This may be a sport such as running, walking, triathlon, or cross-country skiing. The invention may also be applied to recreational rather than competitive activities, and further may be applied to rehabilitation after injury.

[0060] Further, while the invention has been exemplified in relation to an expended power against forces such as air resistance and gravity affecting progress, the term "expended effort" in the broadest aspect of the invention extends to related or equivalent concepts which relate to total or

instantaneous effort expenditure with time over a route and is not restricted to physical equivalence with the actual expended power as physical energy divided by time. The invention may be applied to situations where any form of expended effort is definable in terms of a standard effort of the notional person performing at the standard level and in terms of an achieved effort value inferred from a model based on the progress affected by factors impeding or assisting the progress. Models which are described by the functional relationship PE (V) may be simplistic in certain circumstances without departing from the scope of the invention. Also, while the invention is best implemented taking advantage of the totality of data provided by the set of time and position measurements and using the

functional relationship at many locations along the route, simplified versions which do not analyse different locations on the route consistently but deal with aggregate or average values over the route are also within the scope of the invention.

[0061] In the claims which follow and in the preceding

description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or

"comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. Further, any method steps recited in the claims are not necessarily intended to be performed temporally in the sequence written, or to be performed without pause once started, unless the context requires it.

[0062] It is to be understood that, if any prior art

publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Claims

1. A method of assessing and comparing performance,

comprising steps implemented in software running on a computer system, the steps comprising:

individual proceeding along a route;

determining a standard performance value being the

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the measured performance value is a total time spent by the individual progressing the route .

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the total time spent by the individual progressing the route is adjusted for delay due to traffic or other congestion on the route by subtracting at least a time spent when stopped.

4. The method of any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the expended effort is an expended power PE (V) dependent on velocity V along the route and the step of determining the standard performance value comprises:

specifying a standard power output Ps for the notional person performing at the standard level ; and

calculating a notional total time which would be spent by the notional person progressing the route by equating the standard power output Ps to an expended power unction P_E (V) and solving Ps = PE(V) for velocity V .

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of storing notional time values along the route for the notional person progressing the route at the standard level and providing a comparison with the time measurements of the individual at corresponding locations on the route.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the time in position measurements of the individual are received in real time and the step of communicating or recording a result comprises

communicating information derived from the notional time values along the route to the individual in real time as the individual progresses along the route.

7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the one or more factors affecting the progress include an air resistance factor.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the air resistance factor includes an adjustment for a measured wind velocity, pack riding or slipstreaming .

9. The method of claim 4 , wherein the route includes one or more hills and the one or more factors affecting the progress includes a gradient factor varying along the route.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein the route is on a road and the one or more factors affecting the progress includes a road resistance factor.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein the standard power output is a decreasing function of a total route distance, distance travelled, total time or elapsed time.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the expended effort is an expended power P_E (V) dependent on velocity V along the route and the step of determining the measured performance value of the individual comprises:

determining an equivalent power output Pi of the individual on the route by utilising the power expended value function P_E (V) to determine from solving PI=PE (V) the value of Pi required to generate progress along the route in a time equivalent to the total time spent by the individual progressing the route.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of determining the standard performance value comprises specifying a standard performance value being a standard power output Ps for the notional person performing at the standard level .

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the standard level is defined with reference to a fixed reference level of

performance .

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the fixed reference level is an elite level.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the standard level is a standard level for the individual and is described by a handicap associated with the individual relative to the fixed reference level .

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: determining an equivalent standard level of the individual on the route by determining the standard level which would be required to traverse the route in a time equivalent to the total time spent by the individual progressing the route.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: repeating the method of claim 1 for a plurality of journeys on the same route or different routes to provide a corresponding plurality of the measured performance values; and

determining a handicap associated with the individual, based on a level of performance implied by the corresponding plurality of measured performance values.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of: determining an equivalent handicap of the individual on the route by determining the handicap which would be required to traverse the route in a time equivalent to the total time spent by the individual progressing the route.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: repeating the method of claim 16 for a plurality of journeys on the same route or different routes to provide a corresponding plurality of the measured performance values; and

determining the handicap associated with the individual, based on the corresponding plurality of equivalent handicaps or equivalent standard levels.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein at least some of the plurality of journeys are on different routes.

22. The method of any one of claims 18 to 21, performed on each of a population of corresponding said individuals, the method further comprising the step of providing a handicap comparison between one or more of the corresponding said

individuals of the population.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the measured performance value is adapted to be route independent, and the handicap comparison is a comparison of the handicaps of the one or more of the individuals of the population in relation to different routes .

24. The method of claim 1, performed on each of a population of corresponding said individuals, the method further comprising the step of providing a performance comparison between one or more of the individuals of the population.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the measured performance value is adapted to be route independent, and the performance comparison is a comparison of the measured performance values of the one or more of the individuals of the population in relation to different routes.

26. The method of any one of claims 1 to 25 wherein the individual is riding a bicycle on at least part of the route.

27. The method of any one of claims 1 to 25 wherein the individual is running or walking on at least part of the route.

28. The method of any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the route is a section of a larger route along which the individual is progressing .

29. A system for assessing and comparing performance,

implemented in software running on a computer system, the system comprising :

a standard performance value determiner adapted to determine a standard performance value being the performance value of a notional person performing at a standard level on the route;

a result communicator or recorder adapted to communicate to a user or to record a result derived from the measured performance value and the standard performance value ; and

30. A system for measuring, assessing and comparing

performance, comprising: