The present invention relates generally to systems and/or methods for pacing individuals involved in repetitive motion activities to achieve an optimal or desired performance goal. In particular, the present invention relates to hardware and software systems and methods that allow individuals involved in repetitive motion activities such as running, walking, swimming, cycling, aerobics, and the like, to select and use audible or visible information characterized by tempos that match the individuals' repetitive activity tempo to increase the chances of reaching an optimal activity level and complete an activity within a desired time period.
Devices for use by individuals engaged in repetitive motion activities, such as athletes, laborers, and artists, are known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,732, for example, discloses a pacing device involving a portable frequency generator adapted to be worn by an athlete, that emits audible tone bursts at selectable time intervals. The patent teaches that the device is used to train individuals, such as runners, to achieve a desired time goal for whatever repetitive motion activity they are involved in.
There are many types of audible sounds that can be used for pacing an individual, including simple tone bursts, as described above, the ticking of a metronome, and the tempo of music, to name a few. U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,468, for example, discloses an apparatus for modifying the tempo of a musical piece and the output of an associated amplification device as a motivational tool for joggers. The invention uses an adjustable drive motor to incrementally increase the rate at which the musical piece is played by the device, which is disclosed as being a subliminal change not noticed by the user. The patent discloses that the invention may be used by marathoners and disc jockeys.
Pacing tools can be used to optimize the performance of an individual engaged in a repetitive motion activity once the individual's optimal or desired pace is known or determined. U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,247, for example, discloses a method for producing an instructional tool for an athlete that teaches the athlete appropriate rhythm, timing, and tempo by using the athlete's own best performance as a template to compose a new musical piece (as opposed to modifying an existing musical piece) having a specific tempo. The patent discloses that the athlete's tempo is analyzed as he performs an activity, and then a song is composed having a tempo that matches the tempo of the analyzed activity and that achieves an optimal level of performance of the athlete. The patent discloses that software may be used to modify the athlete's choice of musical piece, to include modifying the tempo of the musical piece and inserting pre-recorded notes or sounds, such as a metronome beat, into the musical piece. An audio file player may be used to play back the tempo-modified musical piece to the athlete. U.S. Pat. No. 6,716,139 similarly discloses a method for detecting parameters inherent to the body of an athlete during exercise to adjust a sound playback device that plays music and outputs verbal coaching instructions to the athlete.
In addition to those pacing devices, other pacing systems incorporate information about the individual, his or her location, and the type of activity involved to further personalize and enhance the ability of the individual performing the repetitive motion activity. Japanese Patent Publication 2004-113552, for example, discloses an exercise aid device capable of informing an exercising individual of an appropriate walking tempo. The disclosed device calculates a walking pitch based on physical information of the exercising individual and information about the course being walked. The device displays a list of music pieces having a tempo nearly matching the individual's tempo, changes the tempo of a selected musical piece to match the calculated tempo, and plays the tempo-modified musical piece as the individual performs the activity.
Japanese Patent Publication 2003-108154 discloses a device and method for distributing music having a known tempo (called a “load speed’) to a user based on received activity patterns (i.e., heart rate) relayed from a terminal device associated with the user to a distribution device that selects, and downloads to the user a musical piece from a database of musical pieces having a known tempo. The device and method are intended to facilitate an optimal level of exercise by encouraging the user to exercise at the tempo of the musical piece such that the user's heart rate is maintained as close to a pre-determined hear rate as possible. The reference does not disclose modifying the tempo of the music pieces in the database.
Because different individuals perform at different levels of peak intensity for the same repetitive task, audible pacing tools have been altered in order to reflect each individual's movements. Where the pacing tool is music, an audible tone may be added to existing music or the beats per minute of the music may be altered. U.S. Pat. No. 6,448,485, for example, discloses digitally adding audible information to an existing digital music data files.
What the aforementioned prior art systems and methods fail to address, however, is the need for a system and method for pacing individuals involved in repetitive motion activities that involves a plurality of user profiles and accessible music data files maintained by a networked server in data communication with a plurality of users' electronic devices, each of the devices adapted to providing automatic location information to the server and outputting audio and video information that the users can employ for pacing purposes.
It should be apparent that there exists a need for a computer-implemented system and method for providing to repetitive activity users over a wired or wireless communications network, like the Internet, music pieces or tempo-modified music pieces that are stored on a server system in data communication with an audio or video playback device operated by the user for pacing purposes, the music pieces being automatically or manually downloaded based on information in a plurality of individual user profiles stored on the server system. There also exists a need for a system and method that uses mapping and global positioning system (GPS) telemetry data tied to the audio or video playback device and server system that automatically selects tempo-adjusted music or adjusts the tempo of current music piece being played as a user performs a repetitive motion activity. The advantages of the present invention include: maintaining a large catalogue of audio and video data files that are constantly being updated and available to users; providing easy accessibility and downloading of information files using Internet Protocol-enabled devices (or using other information distribution protocols); automatically providing location-based information about the user without the need for different networked devices; allowing for storing and analyzing information in user profiles to enhance the information provided by the system; and having the ability to analyze patterns and habits of users accessing the system.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a computer-implemented, network-based system having a networked server, database, client computer, and input/output device for use by individuals engaged in repetitive motion activities, and a method of using the same by those individuals to achieve their time-based and/or pace-based goals for completing repetitive motion activities.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an Internet-based system to deliver system-provided services. However, the invention contemplates using existing portable audio devices, modification of existing portable audio devices, file sharing networks, on-demand radio or television services, cable services, cable television service, satellite radio or television, software programs, cellular phone, cellular phone network, or other devices, networks, software or systems used in place of or in association with an Internet-based system to alter the tempo of music and distribute or sell such music for the purpose of pacing repetitive motion activities.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a software program specifically designed to allow users to modify the tempo or beats-per-minute (BPM) of songs for the purpose of creating tempo-driven music and enhancing athletic or other types of repetitive motion activities. Such software could be freeware or be purchased and downloaded onto the users' computers or portable storage and playback devices.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method involving an Internet map service or Internet-based topographical database for creating customized music corresponding to routes and topography in many locations that a user may traverse during an activity involving repetitive motions.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an Internet-based system and method whereby disc jockeys, radio stations, television stations, and other content users and providers can obtain customized music to suit their production needs.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method whereby music producers and musicians can submit audio content that can be modified for users' pacing needs.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and method that allows a user to customize music by adding audible sounds, signals, statements, phrases, or tempos in order to distinguish the customized music from the original.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method that allows users to add audible sounds, signals, statements, phrases, or tempos to songs that help users identify a song's tempo for pacing purposes.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and method that incorporates GPS devices to determine information including, but not limited to, the distance traveled, speed, pace, stride length, and geographic location of the user.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method that provides users with access to databases of songs categorized by BPM for use in pacing repetitive motion activities.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and method whereby users can download mixes of songs according to BPM, enabling users to achieve desired heart rates, or to burn a desired number of calories during an activity.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method that links data derived from heart rate monitors, pace monitors, pedometers and the like with databases containing the BPM of all catalogued songs, to achieve heart rate and/or pacing goals.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and method that links the service to athletic training programs customized to meet users' personal fitness goals.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method that links the service to franchised, commercially-available weight loss, exercise, and diet programs to enable users to achieve weight loss, exercise, and diet program goals through paced repetitive motion activities.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and method that links the service to repetitive motion exercise equipment such as treadmills, elliptical machines, stair climbing machines, skiing simulation machines, stationary bicycles, and the like for the purpose of pacing repetitive motion activities.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method that links the service to exercise classes such as aerobic classes, stationary bicycle “spinning” classes, dance classes, martial arts classes, boxing classes, kick boxing classes, and the like for the purpose of pacing repetitive motion activities.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and method that accepts recordings of newly created or composed music, compensates composers, catalogues songs in a database according to BPM (and a variety of other variables), and allows for dissemination, tempo modification, and/or sale to users.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method useful to medical rehabilitation programs, physical therapy, weight loss programs, disc jockey services, and industries or manufacturing settings where repetitive motion is common, and where audible cues designed to help people maintain a consistent pace are useful.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a repetitive motion activity device, such as a treadmill, having all the features of the system and that is responsive to the BPM of the music or the tempo of the user or can itself change the BPM of the music as the user engages in the use of the repetitive motion activity device,
It is another object of the present invention to provide advertising content to a user during the performance of an activity, the content having a specific discernible tempo that is substantially the same as a user's target or actual tempo/pace. The advertisement may be combined with one or more music files, which may or may not be grouped together and associated with a playlist. The advertising content may be selected based on the location of the user during the activity.
It is still another object of the present invention to collect, transmit, broadcast, and record performance information from athletes during an athletic performance, and display some of that information to an audience. The displayed information may include information concerning the music the athlete is or was listening to during the performance, actual and/or target tempo/pace, and a link allowing any one individual of the audience to download the same music (or other information) used by the athlete.
Briefly described, those and other objects and features of the present invention are accomplished, as embodied and fully described herein, by a repetitive motion pacing system that includes a user profile database containing a plurality of user-defined parameters, at least one of the user-provided parameters being a target tempo value that is substantially the same as an actual tempo of a repetitive motion activity to be performed by a user; a storage device, including a file sharing database containing at least one data file having information for producing a tempo that is sensible to the user as the user performs the repetitive motion activity; a data storage and playback device adapted to producing the sensible tempo; and a communications network for receiving the at least one data file and distributing the at least one data file to the data storage and playback device. The repetitive motion pacing system can automatically determine a geographic location of the data storage and playback device, which can be done using GPS data. The system also includes a file selection means that can automatically select a plurality of data files based on the geographic location of the data storage and playback device and distribute the plurality of data files to the data storage and playback device. The objects and features of the system also include a tempo computing means for determining the target tempo, which can be done by counting a number of repetitions occurring over a measured time period, and a software subsystem for modifying the tempo information contained in the at least one data file.
The data storage and playback device includes an automatic location information component for determining the location of the data storage and playback device; a signal output component for outputting a sensible signal from the data storage and playback device; an input/output component for entering commands into and receiving information from the data storage and playback device; a data storage component for storing the at least one data file; and a communications component for sending and receiving information to and from the data storage and playback device.
The objects and features of the present invention are also accomplished, as embodied and fully described herein, by a method involving the steps of receiving in a user profile database at least one user-provided parameter including a target tempo value that is substantially the same as an actual tempo of a repetitive motion activity to be performed by a user; receiving in a storage device, including a file sharing database at least one data file having information for producing a tempo that is sensible to the user as the user performs the repetitive motion activity; comparing the target tempo value to the tempo information in the at least one data file to generate an output signal; and providing the output signal via a communications network to a data storage and playback device. The method of the invention also includes the steps of modifying the tempo information of the at least one data file so it is substantially the same as the target tempo; modifying the at least one data file to add tempo information to the file; determining the location of the data storage and playback device; comparing the location of the data storage and playback device to a database of location points, wherein each of the database of location points includes a corresponding geographic tempo value; comparing the geographic tempo values to the tempo information in the at least one data file; and using the data storage and playback device to reproduce the output signal and generate an audible sound that is sensible by the user.
With those and other objects, advantages and features of the invention that may become hereinafter apparent, the nature of the invention may be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, the appended claims and to the several drawings attached herein.
Several preferred embodiments of the invention are described for illustrative purposes, it being understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms not specifically shown in the drawings.
The user 102 can communicate with and receive information provided by the system 100 using wired or wireless electronic devices 104, 106, and/or 108. The device 104 could be, for example, a wireless telephone, a wired telephone, a personal data assistant, or a portable computer. The device 106 could be, for example, a desktop computer. The device 108 could also be a desktop computer. Combinations of those electronic devices, or other types of electronic devices capable of sending and receiving electronic, optical, and electro-optical signals, may be used. A separate data storage and music playback device, which is adapted to receiving and/or sending electronic signals to/from devices 104, 106, and/or 108 and for storing and manipulating the electronic signals is described later.
As shown in
The first and second networks 110, 112 are connected or interconnected to a server subsystem 114, which can include one or more server computers (not shown) that are adapted to, among other things, storing and processing data, generating responses to client computer requests for markup language files and information, and providing access to user information. The user 102 can use one or more of the electronic devices 104, 106, and 108 to access the server subsystem 114 preferably via a web site graphical user interface that is generated on the electronic devices 104, 106, and 108, using markup language commands and data provided to those devices by the server subsystem 114.
The server subsystem 114 is capable of interfacing with one or more databases 116, 118, as shown in
To clarify, the user's profile and preferences may be stored centrally, as in the database 116, or distributed one or more other databases or storage devices, including a portable computing storage and playback device 1002 (
The database 118 could be, for example, a database containing individual data files. Preferably, the data files are music files, preferably in a compressed format, obtained from a user 102 or from a third party source, although text and video files (or combinations of audio, text, and video files) are also contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. The audio files may be stored in a single format, or multiple copies of the file may be stored in a different format. The video files may include information for producing moving images of various routes a user 102 might run, walk, cycle, etc. Methods for converting audio (and text and video) data files from one format to another are well known in the art.
To clarify, the data files database may be stored centrally, as in the database 118, or distributed one or more other databases or storage devices, including a portable computing storage and playback device 1002 (
The server subsystem 114 includes a software subsystem 124, which will be described later.
Also shown in
It is also contemplated that the server 120 could be a computer in a peer-to-peer computer network. That is, the server 120 and the computer 108 could be used to share audio, video, and text data files over the network 112 in a peer-to-peer manner with each device operating as a server and a client computer. The user 102 could then upload those data files to the server subsystem 114 and store them in the database 118.
As described above, the many objects of the present invention involve using music or other types of audio and/or video signals to enhance or optimize the performance of an individual engaged in a repetitive motion activity.
In musical terms, the periodicity is related to the beats per minute (BPM) or tempo of the music. For example,
The present invention includes a software subsystem 124, as shown in
It is contemplated that the software subsystem 124, which could also be installed on one of the user's electronic devices 104, 106, and/or 108 in addition to or instead of being part of the server subsystem 114, can also be used to add sounds to existing music. Thus, a music piece that does not have a discernable or obvious beat, such as a classical music piece having portions played pianissimo (very soft) alternating with portions played messa di voce (louder then softer), could be modified to include a metronome impulse sound, a voice prompt, a musical note, or some other audible sound having the same tempo as the music piece, but that is more obvious to the user 102.
In
The device 1002 includes a main component 1004 which itself includes circuits and software associated with memory 1014, power 1016, a microprocessor 1018, and communications 1020 subcomponents. It also has an audio output device 1006, a data storage device 1008, optionally an Automatic Location Information (ALI) device 1010, and an input/output device 1012.
The communications subcomponent 1020 of the main component 1004 are intended to provide the device 1002 with the capability of communicating data from the device's permanent or volatile memory subcomponent 1014 to another device via a wireless or wired data communications network. Thus, the communications circuits of the communications subcomponent 1020 may be a modem with an RJ-11 jack for receiving a suitably-sized cable plug for connecting the device 1002 to a traditional public circuit-switched telephone network. The communications subcomponent 1020 may instead be a modem with a transceiver for sending and receiving data packets over a wireless network. Using the communications subcomponent 1020, the data storage and playback device 1002 may be “synchronized” to the other devices described herein (e.g., servers 114, 120, computing devices 106, 108) when they are electrically connected to each other by way of a wired or wireless network connection.
The power subcomponent 1016 of the device 1002 can be provided by conventional power supplies (i.e., 110-volt service). Power may be provided by rechargeable or disposable alkaline or other types of batteries (not shown).
The microprocessor subcomponent 1018 may be any conventional microprocessor, such as a central processing unit of a computer.
Also shown in
The audio output device 1006 shown in
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and understand that the audio output device 1006 could be a video output device, such as a monitor, light, or other device that produces visible signals that can be sensed by the eyes of the user 102. Thus, light can be used to produce pulses of light energy that the user 102 can detect while he performs a repetitive motion activity.
The ALI device 1010 shown in
The input/output device 1012 shown in
The user's profile and preference information stored in the database 116 may also be stored in the memory 1014 of the data storage and playback device 1002.
The system 100 receives/updates user profiles when or after the user 102 enters personal information using the input/output device 1012, such as a keypad or keyboard. For example, the user 102 may identify the activity they wish to perform and their musical preferences. A web site form can facilitate receiving that information. In addition, the user 102 provides pace information (e.g., BPM) and may select music having a comparable BPM. That information is stored in the user database 116 that may include information provided at later dates by repeat users.
Personal information may also include, but is not limited to, the user's name, gender, height, weight, fitness level, repetitive motion activities, duration of activities, address, email address, stride length, distance to be covered, and desired goal time. Musical preferences may include, but are not limited to, artist, album, song title, and musical genre. That information is stored in the user's profile as described above.
A goal time might be, for example, running 9:00 per mile on average by a specific date, or within a month time period.
The system 100 receives the user's 102 comfortable pace, heart rate, calorie consumption rate, and other baseline or target information for their respective activities. In process step 1104, the user 102 can determine this by performing a repetitive motion activity (i.e., walking, running, swimming, cycling, lifting, stepping, etc.) for a given time period, such as one minute, while counting the number of steps, strokes, pedal rotations, movements, etc., that he performs in that time period. That information can be automatically or manually sent to the system 100, which receives the information and stores it automatically.
The user 102 who visits the web site generated by the server subsystem 114 may not know the pace or BPM he wishes to achieve for a particular repetitive motion activity. Therefore, the system 100 provides the user 102 a simple method of measuring a target pace, and prompts the user 102 to enter that pace into a web form or otherwise provide the information to the system 100.
For example, if the user 102 wishes to use music to pace him to a desired goal time or optimal level of performance over a discrete time period, such as running a mile under five minutes or swimming 50 meters under 30 seconds, certain information is required. First, the user 102 must know the distance covered per each step, stroke, spin of a wheel, etc., which can be conveniently referred to as “stride length.” The stride length over time is the stride period.
The present invention includes a simple method for the user 102 to determine his stride length. Stride length can be determined by many different methods including, but not limited to, the following:
Mathematical Determination.
A user 102 mathematically determines his stride length on a course of specific length such as 100 meters, a mile, etc. This is illustrated in
Body Measurement.
A user 102 estimates his stride length by taking body measurements such as the length from his hip to his ankle, or from fingertip to shoulder.
Average Stride Length.
A user 102 refers to a provided table to estimate his stride length, based upon data elements such as height, weight, gender, fitness level, etc. These tables may be provided on the web site generated by the server subsystem 114.
Geometric Measurements.
A user 102 measures the distance or other physical parameter associated with a repetitive motion, such as lifting and moving a box as illustrated in
Referring to
The ALI data can be converted into a suitable signal and automatically sent to the system 100 over the first or second data communications networks 110, 112 (
Another exemplary means for obtaining the location information of the user 102 involves a geographical information system whereby the user pre-selects routes of travel (e.g., a trail or road course) and, along with pacing information from the user's user profile, an approximate geographic location of the user 102 can be estimated and received by the system 100. Thus, if the user 102 intends to traverse a one-mile loop over relatively flat terrain identified on a conventional topographic map at a 20-minute per mile walking pace, the approximate location of the user 102 can be determined over the course of the 20-minute activity period using simple mathematical calculations.
In process step 1108, once the user 102 has determined or estimated his stride length, the system 100 receives that information via the networked electronic devices 104, 106, 108, as described above, using an input/output device 1012 (
The system 100 maintains a separate song database categorized according to variables including, but not limited to, title, artist, genre, duration (minutes and seconds), BPM, etc. After obtaining specific data from the user 102, the system 100 cross-references user profile data, pace data, activity goals, and musical preferences with the song database to identify songs that match the needs of the user 102. For pacing purposes, a desired pace in steps, pedal strokes, arm strokes, and the like per minute and a song's BPM must be substantially or at least approximately equal. Songs in the database that match the desired paces and musical preferences of the user 102 are presented to the user 102 in a menu of choices. The user 102 chooses the songs they wish to download and use for pacing purposes.
In some cases, the user 102 may wish to download a song for pacing purposes that does not have a BPM that matches his pacing needs. If the song falls within an acceptable range above or below the target BPM, it is possible to modify the tempo of the song to the desired pace as described above. Using readily available software, like Sony's ACID® Pro, a song's BPM can be altered easily without changing the pitch of the music or negatively impacting the audio quality if the song is in an appropriate digital format.
In process step 1110, if the user 102 requires that a song be modified to match a desired BPM, the following steps are performed. First, after the system 100 receives and creates a user profile containing personal information, desired activity, musical preferences, and desired pace and/or goal time, among other things, the system 100 cross references the pace information and other preferences with a song database. Songs that are a direct match to the BPM preferences and other criteria (e.g., genre) selected by the user 102 are placed on a menu of choices. Songs that fall within an acceptable range above or below the target pace, and which match at least some of the user's criteria, are also placed on the menu of choices. The user 102 then selects the songs that he wishes to download and the system makes those songs available or delivers the songs as described above. Songs that already match the desired BPM can be automatically downloaded to the address provided by the user 102 in his user profile (i.e., the address can include, but is not limited to, a phone number, an Internet Protocol address, or any other addressable location). Songs that require tempo modification are processed through several additional steps either by the system 100 or by the user 102 before they are used.
Songs requiring tempo modification are transferred to a tempo modification program that automatically reads the BPM for that song either from the ID3 tags associated with the song, from the song database, from a vendor that provided the song, or from some other location in the system 100 . . . . ” The user 102 may download songs requiring tempo modification, import them into a tempo modification software program, modify them, and then add the songs to their play list or portable audio player. The desired goal or target BPM for the song is obtained from the user's data stored in the user profile database or is provided separately by the user 102. After a song is loaded into the tempo modification program, and the program understands the original BPM and target BPM, the program modifies the song's tempo to the desired BPM as illustrated in
The invention can be used by musicians to provide their original music to the system 100, which any user 102 can then select for his pacing needs.
In process step 1112, the system 100 provides the songs (either original or modified) to the user 102. This can be a free- or fee-based transaction based on a subscription or pay-as-you-go model. The user 102 downloads his customized music to his electronic device 104, 106, and/or 108 (
In addition, the songs may be received as a streaming “playlist” of similar (or dissimilar) data files (songs) from a “cloud” system, like from an Internet Radio service such as Pandora®.
The device 1002 can also be programmed so that the BPM of the music automatically changes slightly with each 50 meters completed, so that as the swimmer tires, he will still be able to achieve the time goal.
The device 1002 can also be programmed so that the BPM of the music automatically changes in each path segment, so that the BPM of segment A is faster than the BPM in segment B, C, and D, for example. Thus, the device could be used by competitive swimmers, runners, and walkers during fartlek training, which is an athletic training technique in which periods of intense effort alternate with periods of less strenuous effort in a continuous workout. Thus, the BPM of the music assigned to segments A and C could be twice the BPM of the music assigned to segments B and D.
Thus, the user 102 carries his portable data storage and music playback device 1002 during the 10-mile run, and, because the device 1002 is equipped with an ALI device 1010, the system 100 automatically determines the user's real-time or near real-time geographic location along the route 1502 and compares the location to the discrete locations stored in memory. When the user 102 sets out running in segment A, which is a flat road segment of the 10-mile route, the device 1002 plays a specific song having a BPM tempo that is consistent with the pace the user wishes to maintain. However, when the user 102 reaches the off-road segment B, the uneven footing requires a slower pace, so the device, knowing when the users enters segment B by comparing the ALI data to the stored location information, changes the BPM of the song or plays a different song having a slower BPM. When the user reaches the twisty segment C, which is the slowest segment of the 10-mile route, the device 1002 begins playing a song having a slower BPM to match the user's short stride length as he traverses the hilly segment C.
The system 100 also has an adaptive capability that supports a user 102 who, for example, is running and having trouble keeping pace with his music. The user 102 may wish to reduce the pace by changing the music he is listening to. The user 102 might have included a rule in his user profile that governs the songs being played by the portable data storage and music playback device 1002. The aforementioned GPS feature in the portable data storage and music playback device 1002 will recognize that the user's 102 pace is dropping off, causing the device 1002 to switch to a slower play list based upon the rules entered by the user 102. The portable data storage and music playback device 1002 itself may provide the user 102 with a manual switch that causes the BPM of songs to become smaller or to play the song slower.
Another example of the adaptive capabilities of the system 100 is as follows. Consider a user 102 who uses a mix of music to complete a route. The user 102 might wish to improve his time the next time he traverses the route by 5%. The system 200 allows the user 102 to submit this request to the device 1002, spurring the system 100 to tempo modify the user's 102 existing mix to be 5% faster than before or automatically provide a new selection of songs that is 5% faster than the previous song mix.
Another example of the method of using the system 100 is as follows.
Another example of the method of using the system 100 is as follows. As noted above, the system 100 may be an integral part of, or interconnected to, a separate repetitive motion activity device 1702, such as a treadmill. The system 100 will provide a video feature whereby video images of locations where a user 102 runs, walks, cycles, climb stairs, etc., are displayed on a video screen 1704 in front of the treadmill or other repetitive motion activity device 1702. The frame rate of the video is be automatically calibrated to match the speed of the user's 102 pace, speeding up when the user 102 increases his pace, and slowing down when the user 102 slows his pace. Or, the video files may contain information that produces images representing a route the user 102 might run, walk, cycle, etc., such as, for example, the route as shown in
The ALI device 1010 can also provide information about the user 102, such as total distance traversed over time, average pace, locations, calories burned, etc., which information can be uploaded to the system 100 and stored in the database 116 as part of the user's user profile.
The ALI information can also be employed in industrial settings where, by knowing the location of the user 102, the system 100 and device 1002 know what activity the user 102 is engaged in. Thus, when the system 100 recognizes that the user 102 is located at position P1 within a factory, based on ALI information it receives from the ALI device 1010, and position P1 is a conveyor system, the device 1002 plays a pre-determined BPM associated with the tempo of the conveyor system. When the system 100 recognizes that the user 102 is located at a new position P2 within a factory, and position P2 is a truck loading area, the device 1002 plays a different pre-determined BPM associated with the tempo of the loading area.
Thus, in step 1802, the system 100, or one of its element components, or the data storage and playback device 1002, obtains a user-provided target tempo or pace value or related information according to one or more of the methods provided above (e.g., manually entered numerical value from a user or determined by a user's preparatory activity using a pedometer or using distance and time information, among other techniques). If that information is already stored in the system 100 or data storage and playback device 1002, e.g., in the database 116 or memory 1014, it is retrieved from that storage/memory for subsequent use. Note: if only pace information is available (e.g., an amount of time over a known distance), then an average tempo may be estimated for a particular user based on other information about that user, such as gender, weight, and height information, if such information is available, or based on average information available for people with similar characteristics. If new tempo and/or pace information is being provided or made available to the system 100 or data storage and playback device 1002, that information may be used to update the existing tempo/pace in, for example, the user's individual user-profile that is previously stored (e.g., stored in the database 116, or stored on the data storage and playback device 1002, on a user's personal computer, portable computing device, 104, 106, or server 120, etc.). As discussed above, the user-provided target tempo and/or pace is used to provide information back to the user, enabling them to achieve their target tempo and/or target pace during a selected repetitive motion activity.
In step 1804, the system 100 and/or a data storage and playback device 1002, searches/mines available data files stored on those systems/devices for related tempo information, such as by looking at the ID3 meta data tags of audio files. The individual data files may be found on distributed storage devices, such as in one or more of the databases 116, 118, 122, or the storage devices 104, 106, 108, 114, 120; and they may be found on only one of those devices (e.g., on the data storage and playback device 1002). They may also be found in a “cloud” (e.g., via an Internet Radio transmission).
In step 1806, similar data files identified in step 1804, or during subsequent searches, may, optionally, be grouped together automatically or manually into what is generally referred to as a playlist. Thus, a playlist may include a list of all songs with approximately the same or similar “fast” tempos (the playlist itself is a pointer file that includes information about the files that are grouped together). All of the data files associated with a playlist may be transmitted together or individually from one or more of the devices described previously to any one of the other devices via any one or more of the communications networks previously discussed (e.g., networks 110, 112, or other), during a push, pull, synchronization, or other process. Thus, if a playlist of data files is identified on the server 120 or database 118, for example, they may be transmitted or otherwise distributed to, for example, the data storage and playback device 1002 for outputting to the user during a repetitive motion activity.
In step 1808, advertising content is obtained from one or more content providers in the form of, for example, an audio data file. The content may be data and information provided in a different format (e.g., hardcopy; compressed electronic file, etc.) that may be converted to suitable compatible audio data file format for use by the system 100 and/or data storage and playback device 1002. Any kind of advertisement data or information may be included in the advertising content, including visual static impressions and video, as long as the content at least includes an audio component with at least some sensible tempo, such as a music track that plays in the background of a spoken word advertisement. Preferably, the advertisement may have a background soundtrack that is substantially the same BPM tempo as the tempo of the data files associated with a particular playlist. The spoken words of the content themselves may be sensible by a user as having a general tempo. An example of advertising content is an advertisement for a restaurant in which the audio track includes music of a well-known song having a tempo that is similar to the tempo of the data files in the aforementioned playlist. If the advertising content does not include any audio that is sensible to a user, it may be outputted over a data file outputted in the background (e.g., a “voice-over” that is played while one of the data (song) files from the playlist is being played). Advertising content may be or include a link that the user can click on or otherwise select that, when clicked/selected downloads an electronic file (or streams the file), which may be a coupon, or opens up a web page of the advertising sponsor with the same or different advertising content.
It is desirable in some situation for the advertising content to be tailored to be location-specific. This is possible where ALI-type information (e.g., GPS data) is available. Thus, in step 1809, ALI-type information is obtained that is usable for indicating the actual or approximate geographic location of the user's device.
In step 1810, the advertising content data files are appended to the playlist and become part of the playlist data files. A data file playlist agent (software) manages this process by separately transmitting or receiving the advertising data files in step 1812 along with or separately from the transmission/receipt of the playlist data files. The agent then automatically inserts them into the playlist data files so that they are outputted to the user when the playlist data files are outputted to the user. In this way, intermittently during the playback of the playlist data files, and between or during outputting each of those data files, the advertisements are automatically and seamlessly outputted to the user. Since the advertisements have substantially the same tempo as the other data files in the playlist, they are less intrusive to the user when they are outputted to the user during his or her activity.
In step 1814, the data and information are provided to a device for use by a user during an activity.
Alternatively, each of the data files may be modified to include a portion that is advertising content, which may be appended to the beginning, middle, end, or at any part of the data file. In this way, when a music file, for example, is outputted to the user, it may begin with an advertisement, or the music may end with the advertisement, before the next data file is outputted. As discussed previously, the playlist may be received from the “cloud” in step 1812, as part of a fee-based or free subscription service, such as Pandora®.
In addition, it is known that athletic equipment and apparel companies sponsor athletic competitions, such as road races, in which athletes compete while pacing themselves using tempo-based playlists created according to the previous steps. Similar to coverage of the Tour De France or Olympic Marathon, it is possible to broadcast video or images of the race, the competitors or a likeness of the competitors participating in the event, information about the competition itself (i.e., the activity type, course, environment, history, conditions, status, etc.) to an audience viewing the race in real-time or near real-time via large video displays near the audience viewing area or via television or Internet broadcasts. Those event broadcasts could be broadcast simultaneously with a broadcast of the music that the athletes are listening to while they compete. Through this broadcast, the audience could both view the athletes' progress along the road course on video, but also hear the music and the driving tempo that the athletes are listening to. The broadcasts could be simulcast on the same or a side channel (e.g., the video could be broadcast via a television channel and the music could be broadcast via an out-of-band radio-frequency channel or via the Internet). The experience would bring the audience much closer to feeling what the athlete is experiencing in approximately real-time.
Thus, in step 1816, the playlist and the playlist data files for each of the users of the system are transmitted to a broadcast network via, for example, the network 112 or other channel. Then, in step 1818, the playlist information is distributed by the broadcast network via any one of various channels along with user-specific information, such as the user's playlist information, data file names, music artist, user's name, age, country of residence, etc. Some of that data and information are displayed in step 1820 on a suitable display device as discussed above.
The same playlists and individual data files (song files) may be made available for downloading from the system 100 at the same tempo as that used by the athletes during their performance, or it may be offered at a modified tempo corresponding approximately to the target tempo information stored in that user's profile (or otherwise provided by the user to the system 100). That way, the audience, inspired by the athlete's performance and choice of song files, may download the same playlist of song files to his or her device and then exercise to the same music as the athlete. Thus, in step 1822, a request for a copy of the playlist and song files is processed.
Although the steps above are described as occurring in a specific sequence, this was done for purposes of illustrating the embodiment of the invention. Other sequences of steps are also contemplated. Also, not all of the steps are required to achieve the objectives of the embodiment. For example, step 1809—obtaining/determining location information—is not necessary to achieve the objective of including advertising content.
Turning now to
The software agent 1904 may automatically group data files 1906, 1908 having similar tempo information in a playlist, and assign the playlist a name, or request the user to enter information for the playlist name. This procedure would be accomplished using a hierarchy of defaults, which may be overridden and modified by the user manually, and also updated by the software agent 1904 automatically by learning or being trained as new data and information are received. That is, the software agent 1904 may default to a specific range of tempos in which it will group data files, but as the user adds or changes data files associated with a playlist, updates personal preference information, and exercises at different tempos, the software agent 1904 may learn about the user and modify its default parameters. The user may also manually group data files according to a user's preferences by selecting files and moving them to a playlist file.
The software agent 1904 may be installed and run in conjunction with a processor of a server or personal computing device, or it may be installed on a portable device, such as the data storage and playback device 1002. Where the software agent 1904 is installed on a server 120 or computer 108, it can upload the above playlist and related information to various devices, including the device 104, 106 and/or the data storage and playback device 1002. In one embodiment, the software agent 1904 is installed on a desktop computer and on the data storage and playback device 1002 and synchronized when those devices are electrically connected to each other.
As also shown in
Although certain presently preferred embodiments of the disclosed invention have been specifically described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that variations and modifications of the various embodiments shown and described herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the applicable rules of law.
The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/008,765, filed on Jan. 28, 2016; which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/564,426, filed on Dec. 9, 2014, now abandoned; which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/796,382, filed Mar. 12, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,933,313; which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/889,084, filed Sep. 23, 2010, now abandoned; and which is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/244,241, filed Oct. 6, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,825,319, the entire contents and disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15008765 | Jan 2016 | US |
Child | 15890970 | US | |
Parent | 14564426 | Dec 2014 | US |
Child | 15008765 | US |