Patent Application
20230019051
People who exercise may leverage various tools and technology to enhance their workouts. Aside from smartwatches and other smart devices that provide analytical and sensory information, users may utilize an interval timer that overtly notifies the user of a duration of time for a given workout session and then notifies the user when the resting period is over. The interval timer alternates between a workout session and a resting session to keep track of and push themselves to maintain a consistent workout. Unfortunately, while the interval timer is a helpful exercise tool, it is also limiting in terms of its functionality.
Implemented is an interval timer with pacer functionality (referred to herein as “interval pacer” for short), enabling a user to work out to a given pace and then automatically switches to a resting period when the pre-set pace is complete. The interval pacer may be an instantiated application on a user’s computing device, such as a smartphone, smartwatch, head-mounted display (HMD) device, etc., or may be a standalone application instantiated on a dedicated computing device specifically designed for the interval pacer application. Thus, any discussion of an interval pacer application can represent an application on a user’s computing device or a dedicated device designed explicitly for workout timing.
The interval pacer, in essence, is an application that alternates between a user-designated pace and a user-designated resting period. The interval pacer may be separated by rounds, such that each round consists of a customized pace and resting period. A subsequent pace and resting period may occur immediately after the previous round’s pace and resting period. Any number of rounds can be configured, and the user may customize each round’s pace and resting period.
A pacer during a workout session helps the user maintain a given pace, or tempo, which may otherwise be difficult to maintain as the user fatigues. For example, the user may wish to execute pushups, sit-ups, pull-ups, curls, bench-presses, or various cardio exercises (running, biking, jump roping, etc.) at a given pace. The interval pacer application can help the user push himself to maintain the pace, whereas the user may unwittingly slow down without it.
The interval pacer application has several parameters that can be input by the user to customize a given workout session. For example, the interval pacer application may be configured to repeat a given customized workout session any number of times, the number of outputs (e.g., beeps, clicks, etc.) that the user wishes to receive during a pacing session, the number of outputs per minute for the pacing session, and the duration of time for the resting period. In addition, a display on the computing device may show a speed indicator that shows how fast the pacer is running. These parameters can all be input by the user to customize a given workout session. In addition, the user can customize multiple rounds for the workout session such that a first round’s pacing session and resting period may be different from a subsequent or previous round.
The interval pacer application is adapted to enhance previous interval timer applications by providing a customizable pacer option which is virtually a fully customizable solution for a user to have an individualized exercise plan. The interoperation of the pacer with the interval timer enriches workout sessions by pushing the user to stick with the user-set pace for the user-designated period. The present implementation can also increase system performance since the entire switching workflow is automated after the user inputs the requisite parameters for the pacing sessions and resting periods.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that is further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure. These and various other features will be apparent from a reading of the following Detailed Description and a review of the associated drawings.
Like reference numerals indicate like elements in the drawings. Elements are not drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated.
The computing devices 105 can include a hardware layer 120, operating system (OS) layer 115, and application layer 110. The hardware layer 115 provides an abstraction of the various hardware used by the computing device (e.g., input and output devices, networking and radio hardware, etc.) to the layers above it. In this illustrative example, the hardware layer supports processor(s) 125, memory 130, input/output devices 140 (e.g., a microphone, speakers, camera, touchscreen display, mechanical buttons, etc.), and a pacer output 150. The computing device may likewise include a network interface 145, such as a network interface card (NIC) that enables wired (e.g., Ethernet) or wireless communications to a router or other computing device. For example, one or more network interface devices may enable the transmission of WiFi signals to a router and be configured with Bluetooth® or NFC (Near Field Communication) capabilities.
The application layer 110 in this illustrative example supports various applications 170, including a web browser application 165 that may be utilized to access the Internet and the World Wide Web. An interval pacer application 175 may be instantiated on the device to perform the various functions described herein, such as receiving input parameters to customize the interval pacer and output at requisite intervals. The computing device may have extensibility 180 to remote services 185, such as websites and other applications.
Although only certain applications are depicted in
The OS layer 115 supports, among other operations, managing system 155 and operating applications/programs 160. In addition, the OS layer may interoperate with the application and hardware layers in order to perform various functions and features.
The user interface 245 for the interval pacer application 175 shows various text boxes for the user to customize their workout session. Available text boxes configured to receive the user’s input include a number of times the user wishes to repeat an entire workout session 205, a rest period for a round 210, a pacer indicator 220, which includes a total number of beeps 225 and beeps per minute 230. The term “beeps” is used for exemplary purposes, and is generally referred to herein as “outputs” which can include clicks, beeps, tones, music, or vibratory feedback. A mode indicator 235 may be changed to different modes for the user, such as a straight interval timer (switches between a countdown for a workout and a resting period), a timer, a countdown timer, etc. In addition, the speed indicator 215 is used as a graphical representation of the speed at which the pacer is running, which may be correlated with the input parameters for the pacer indicator 220.
After inputting the various parameters, user 190 may select the “Add round?” button 250 to create another round for the workout session. The user may select “Finish” 255 when the user has finished entering one or more rounds of parameters. Multiple different workout sessions may be created and stored within the device’s memory or remotely stored, such as at the remote service 185 (
The round rest period 210 and the pacer indicator 220 parameters may be unique to a specific round within a workout session. For example, a first-round may be configured with a five-second rest period and a pacer set at 20 beeps per minute, whereas a second round may have a rest period of 10 seconds and a pacer at 30 beeps per minute. The use of the term “beeps” is an exemplary output for the pacer, but other outputs may also be available, such as clicks, tones, music set to (or having) a specific tempo, etc. The interval pacer application 175 may leverage a speaker to output the beeps/clicks/tone, as representatively shown by numeral 240.
While
The interval pacer application 175 may repeat the workout session N number of times, based on the user’s desired and entered input (
After the rest period of 10 seconds is complete, the computing device may immediately start providing outputs according to the second round’s parameters. However, in alternative implementations, the interval pacer application may end the prior rest period with a warning of the start of the upcoming round’s pacer, as representatively shown by numeral 830. For example, the last three seconds of the 10 second rest period may be used to output three beeps or other outputs one second apart, thereby warning the user that the next pacer is about to begin. The next pacer may be the next round’s pacer or, in scenarios in which a single round is repeated, the first round’s pacer. Alternatively, a warning output of the next round may occur after the rest period’s duration expired. Thus, the interval pacer application may provide, for example, a two or three-second warning output in addition to the rest period that indicates to the user of the subsequent round’s pacer session.
In round 2 810, the computing device 105 provides outputs six seconds apart, and the device enters a rest period after the set number of outputs is provided. Here, the rest period is eight seconds. The computing device may continue to provide outputs based on a pacer, execute rest periods, and optionally provide warnings to the user for N number of rounds until the workout session and the desired number of session repeats are complete. The ability to customize each round’s parameters enables the user to create a multi-point workout. For example, the first round’s faster pacer rate may be used for sit-ups, and the second round’s relatively slower pacer may be used for pull-ups. The interval pacer application’s customizability is adapted to accommodate the different exercises and user abilities that can change across users and workouts.
The downbeat outputs may alternatively be customized by the user, such as downloaded from a remote service. Songs that fit within the user’s pacer parameters may be presented on the user interface for user-selection as an option instead of a beep, click, tone, etc. For example, if the tempo of the song Survivor corresponds to the rate associated with the user’s entered parameters for the pacer, then the user may select that song to play. The song may play instead of or in addition to (and overlap with) the other outputs, such as a beep, vibrations feedback, tone, click, etc. Outputting the song simultaneously with the beats may enable the user to stay on track while enjoying the music. Music may be selected based on a given song’s tempo corresponding to the user’s set pace. Alternatively, a song’s tempo may be sped up or slowed down to accommodate the user’s set pace.
In step 1005, in
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By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable storage media may include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology to store information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Thus, for example, computer-readable media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), Flash memory or other solid-state memory technology, CD-ROM, DVDs, HD-DVD (High Definition DVD), Blu-ray, or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the architecture 1200.
According to various embodiments, the architecture 1200 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to remote computers through a network. The architecture 1200 may connect to the network through a network interface unit 1216 connected to the bus 1210. It may be appreciated that the network interface unit 1216 also may be utilized to connect to other types of networks and remote computer systems. The architecture 1200 also may include an input/output controller 1218 for receiving and processing input from a number of other devices, including a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, touchscreen, control devices such as buttons and switches, or electronic stylus (not shown in
It may be appreciated that any software components described herein may, when loaded into the processor 1202 and executed, transform the processor 1202 and the overall architecture 1200 from a general-purpose computing system into a special-purpose computing system customized to facilitate the functionality presented herein. The processor 1202 may be constructed from any number of transistors or other discrete circuit elements, which may individually or collectively assume any number of states. More specifically, the processor 1202 may operate as a finite-state machine in response to executable instructions contained within the software modules disclosed herein. These computer-executable instructions may transform the processor 1202 by specifying how the processor 1202 transitions between states, thereby transforming the transistors or other discrete hardware elements constituting the processor 1202.
Encoding the software modules presented herein also may transform the physical structure of the computer-readable storage media presented herein. The specific transformation of physical structure may depend on various factors in different implementations of this description. Examples of such factors may include, but are not limited to, the technology used to implement the computer-readable storage media, whether the computer-readable storage media is characterized as primary or secondary storage, and the like. For example, if the computer-readable storage media is implemented as semiconductor-based memory, the software disclosed herein may be encoded on the computer-readable storage media by transforming the physical state of the semiconductor memory. For example, the software may transform the state of transistors, capacitors, or other discrete circuit elements constituting the semiconductor memory. The software also may transform the physical state of such components in order to store data thereupon.
As another example, the computer-readable storage media disclosed herein may be implemented using magnetic or optical technology. In such implementations, the software presented herein may transform the physical state of magnetic or optical media when the software is encoded therein. These transformations may include altering the magnetic characteristics of particular locations within given magnetic media. These transformations also may include altering the physical features or characteristics of particular locations within given optical media to change the optical characteristics of those locations. Other transformations of physical media are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present description, with the foregoing examples provided only to facilitate this discussion.
In light of the above, it may be appreciated that many types of physical transformations take place in the architecture 1200 in order to store and execute the software components presented herein. It also may be appreciated that the architecture 1200 may include other types of computing devices, including wearable devices, handheld computers, embedded computer systems, smartphones, PDAs, and other types of computing devices known to those skilled in the art. It is also contemplated that the architecture 1200 may not include all of the components shown in
Various exemplary embodiments are implemented and disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, disclosed is a computing device configured with an interval pacer application, comprising: one or more output mechanisms; one or more processors; one or more hardware-based memory devices storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the computing device to: receive one or more user inputs, in which one or more user inputs customize a workout session associated with the interval pacer application, the interval pacer application adapted to receive and store multiple distinct workout sessions; responsive to the received one or more user inputs, configure the workout session to alternate at customized intervals, in which the workout session alternates between a workout period and a resting period; responsive to the received one or more user inputs, set a number of times the workout session is repeated; and responsive to the received one or more user inputs, set a pacer for the workout periods, in which the pacer causes an output at the one or more output mechanisms based on user-selectable intervals.
In another example, the workout session is comprised of one or more rounds, in which each round includes a workout period and a resting period, wherein one or both of a given round’s workout period or resting period are configured with different parameters. As a further example, the executed instructions further cause the computing device to, responsive to receiving the one or more user inputs, set a number of outputs for the pacer. In another example, the executed instructions further cause the computing device to, responsive to receiving the one or more user inputs, set a rate at which the pacer outputs the set number of outputs. As a further example, the rate is based on a number of beats per minute. In another example, further comprising displaying a speed indicator which visually shows the rate. As a further example, the workout session includes multiple rounds, each round having one pacer workout period and one resting period. As a further example, a subsequent round’s workout period begins immediately after a prior round’s resting period expires.
In another exemplary embodiment, disclosed is a method, performed by a computing device, to execute an interval pacer application for a user’s workout, comprising: setting parameters for a workout session, in which the parameters include details for executing at least a pacer and a rest period; providing outputs at consistent intervals for a pacer according to the set pacer’s parameters; ending the outputs when a set number of total outputs is reached, wherein the set number of total outputs is included in the pacer’s parameters; and automatically entering a rest period after the computing device output the set number of total outputs, wherein a duration of the rest period is included in the set rest period’s parameters.
As another example, further comprising: automatically repeating the provided outputs at the consistent intervals for the pacer after the duration for the rest period expires, and then entering the rest period again after the set number of total outputs is reached. In another example, the outputs include any one or more of auditory clicks, beeps, tones, music, or device vibrations. In another example, the workout session includes multiple rounds, each round having a pacer and a rest period, wherein a subsequent round’s pacer begins after a prior round’s rest period expires. As a further example, a warning is output to the user during or after expiry of each round’s rest period. As another example, each round’s pacer and rest period are configured with its own unique set of parameters.
In another exemplary embodiment, disclosed is one or more hardware-based computer-readable memory devices storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors disposed in a computing device, cause the computing device to: set parameters for a workout session, in which the parameters include details for executing at least a pacer and a rest period; provide outputs at consistent intervals for a pacer according to the set pacer’s parameters; end the outputs when a set number of total outputs is reached, wherein the set number of total outputs is included in the pacer’s parameters; and automatically enter a rest period after the computing device output the set number of total outputs, wherein a duration of the rest period is included in the set rest period’s parameters.
In another example, the executed instructions further cause the computing device to: automatically repeat the provided outputs at the consistent intervals for the pacer after the duration for the rest period expires, and then entering the rest period again after the set number of total outputs is reached. As a further example, the outputs include any one or more of auditory clicks, beeps, tones, music, or device vibrations. As another example, the workout session includes multiple rounds, each round having a pacer and a rest period, wherein a subsequent round’s pacer begins after a prior round’s rest period expires. As a further example, a warning is output to the user during or after expiry of each round’s rest period. As another example, each round’s pacer and rest period are configured with its own unique set of parameters.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
