WO2002055960A1

WO2002055960A1 - Method for providing services to athletes

Info

Publication number: WO2002055960A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/001060
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger C. Hayward; Jock Christie; Philip Lee; Richard Fuller
Original assignee: Sportbug.Com, Inc.
Priority date: 2001-01-10
Filing date: 2001-01-10
Publication date: 2002-07-18

Abstract

A method for providing services to an athlete (101) comprising: receiving a series of times, corresponding locations, and other graphics and information from a remote device coupled to the athlete (101); using the series of times and corresponding locations to generate a pictorial map: and transmitting the pictorial map to the athlete. Also disclosed is a method of providing services to an athlete (101) comprising: receiving a series of times and corresponding locations from a remote device (304) coupled to the athlete; comparing the series of corresponding locations to a list of locations of businesses to determine businesses in proximity to at least one of the corresponding locations or matching specific services to businesses in the proximity of the athlete; and either providing contact information for the athlete to one or more of the businesses in proximity, or providing contact information for one or more of the businesses in proximity to the athlete (101).

Description

METHOD FOR PROVIDING SERVICES TO ATHLETES

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application 09/478^59 filed January 7, 2000 by the same inventors with the title "Tracking, Logging, and Analysis of Athletic Distance Movement."

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to athletics. The present invention relates to consumer electronics and electronic commerce.

Description of Background Art

In the early 1980's, exercise began to play an increasingly important role in the daily lives of a growing segment of our society. As our economy has prospered, many of these individuals have developed into serious athletes and have helped create a thriving environment of competitive amateur athletics. These athletes represent a focused and competitive segment of our society and are devoted to their performance and to monitoring and measuring their workouts. They need systems, methods, and devices to assist in performing these tasks. Even the most competitive and focused of athletes only have crude approximations of their performance. They typically use a stopwatch to measure the time of their run and then estimate the average pace based on the estimated course length. This system and method only works well over a measured course, something that rarely occurs for most athletes. They can also use a heart monitor to track their exertion. However, these methods remain imprecise and unsatisfying.

Athletes differ in geographic location, levels of commitment to the sport, financial background, and in many other respects. However, sports retailers generally are unable to profile their customers and so miss out on opportunities to effectively target them. * The above description relates to problems and disadvantages relating to tracking, logging, and analysis of runs. The same or similar problems and disadvantages also apply to other athletics besides running, such as biking, skiing, and others.

In addition to the needs of the athlete regarding performance, the athlete may also require services either related or unrelated to their activity. Such services include but are not limited to medical treatment, food, drink, or athletic equipment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above described problems and disadvantages relating to providing services to athletes.

The present invention includes a method for providing services to an athlete comprising: receiving a series of times and corresponding locations from a remote device coupled to the athlete; using the series of times and corresponding locations to generate a pictorial map; and transmitting the pictorial map to the athlete.

The present invention also includes a method of providing services to an athlete comprising: receiving a series of times and corresponding locations from a remote device coupled to the athlete; comparing the series of corresponding locations to a list of locations of businesses to determine businesses in proximity to at least one of the corresponding locations or based on the athlete's needs or requirements; and either providing contact information for the athlete to one or more of the businesses in proximity, or providing contact information for one or more of the businesses in proximity to the athlete. The present invention also includes a method for selecting, sorting or otherwise ranking local businesses based on multiple criterion which include proximity to the athlete, proximity to the athlete's current or future course, appropriateness of business services, whether the business is open at the current time, strategic utilization of marketing information, preferences of the athlete from past services or service providers, or industrial, commercial or independent rankings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic depiction of tracking and logging an athletic activity in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2A and 2B are flow charts of a method for tracking, logging, and analyzing an athletic activityin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 A is a schematic diagram in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention of a centralized web-based system for uploading data from a tracking device by way of an Internet client computer to a server for analysis of that data.

^• Fig. 3B is a schematic diagram of a centralized web-based system for uploading data from a tracking device with a wireless Internet link to a server for analysis of that data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart of a business method for targeted marketing to athletes in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a system for targeted marketing to athletes in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a schematic drawing of a tracking device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is an illustrative athletic tracking pictorial map in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an athletic log in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 depicts flow charts of methods for determining businesses in proximity to an athlete's training course and for communicating contact information between such businesses and the athlete.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 is a schematic depiction of tracking and logging a distance run in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 includes a athlete 101, a tracking device 102, a start location of a run 104, a plurality of intermediate locations 106, and an end location of the run 108. The tracking device 102 may comprise a global positioning system (GPS) tracking device 602 as described below in relation to Fig. 6. Alternatively, the tracking device 102 may utilize cellular or other wireless telecommunications technology to determine locations with Time-Difference of Arrival (TDOA) or Angle-of- Arrival (AOA) or a combination thereof , instead of GPS technology. Fig. 1 is described further below in conjunction with the description of Figs.

2A and 2B. Fig. 2A and 2B are flow charts of a method for tracking, logging, and analyzing an athletic activity in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The athletic activity can mean one or all of the following: 1) a short distance run or jog; 2) a long distance run or jog; 3) jumping or hurdling; 4) distance traveled on a bicycle; 5) distance traveled on rollerblades, rollerskis or roUerskates; 6) skiing or snowboarding, either for distance, speed or entertainment; 7) walking or hiking; 8) swimming, surfing, waterskiing, parasailing or windsailing; 9) racing cars, horses, or motorcycles; 10) team sports including soccer, football, baseball, field hockey, lacross, polo, rugby, etc.

Fig. 2A is a flow chart of a method near a beginning of an athletic activity and during that activity. In a first step 202, the tracking device 102 is coupled to the athletelOl before the activity begins. The coupling of the device 102 to the athlete 101 comprises attaching the device 102 to the athlete 101 in such a way as to not inhibit the athlete 101 's movement.

In a second step 204, the activity starts at the start location of the activity 104. In a third step 206, simultaneously with or immediately after the start of the activity, the tracking device 102 performs an initial store of the location and time.

In a fourth step 208, a certain amount of time elapses. The amount of time could either be predetermined or be related to other criterion such as, but not excluded to speed, distance traveled, direction or change in direction. The certain amount of time may be, for example,' several seconds long. In a fifth step 210, after the amount of time elapses, the tracking device 102 performs an intermediate store of an intermediate location 106 and a corresponding intermediate time. Subsequently, the method loops back to the fourth step 208 and waits for another amount time to elapse, after which an intermediate store is again performed in the fifth step 210. The loop including the fourth 208 and fifth 210 steps continues until interrupted as described below in relation to Fig. 2B.

Fig. 2B is a flow chart of a method at an end of an athletic activity and after the activity. In a sixth step 212, a determination is made as to whether or not the activity has ended. This determination may be made based on an input from the athlete 101 to the tracking device 102 indicating the end of theactivity. Alternatively, this determination may be made based on a prolonged period of lack of movement by the athlete 101. If the determination is that the activity has not yet ended, then in a seventh step 214 the loop including the fourth 208 and fifth 210 steps continues uninterrupted. On the other hand, if the determination is that the activity has ended, then in an eighth step 216 the loop including the fourth 208 and fifth 210 steps is interrupted. Subsequently, in a ninth step 218, the tracking device 102 performs a final store of the location and time. The location and time stored should correspond to the end location 108 and end time of the activity. In one embodiment, the location and time stored may be adjusted to correspond to the location and time at the beginning of the prolonged period of lack of movement.

' The time period between the performance of the ninth step 218 and the tenth step 220 may be quite long. For example, the tenth step 220 may not be performed until the athlete 101 is at home and has enough free time to perform that step 220. Alternatively, the tenth step 220 may occur immediately after the ninth step 218 if the tracking device 102 has a wireless link to the Internet.

In the tenth step 220, the stored data (including data from the initial store 206, the plurality of intermediate stores 210, and the final store 218) is uploaded to a centralized athlete web server 308. This step 220 allows the athlete 101 to utilize the stored data without having to manually input any of it. This step 220 and the system for performing it are described further below in relation to Figs. 3A and 3B.

In an eleventh step 222, the data is analyzed at the web server end. The analysis allows the athlete 101 to manipulate the data and track his/her training progress. The analysis may be done by software on the same computer as that housing the web server 308, or it may be done by software on another computer coupled to the computer housing the web server 308. Finally, in a twelfth step 224, the analyzed data is downloaded from the web server 308 to a client computer for viewing by the athlete 101.

Fig. 3 A is a schematic diagram of a centralized web-based system for uploading data from a tracking device by way of an Internet client computer to a server for analysis of that data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system includes the tracking device 102, an interface 302, a client computer 304, an Internet 306, and a centralized athlete web server 308. The tracking device 102, the interface 302, and the client computer 304 may be grouped together as a client 310. As shown in Fig. 3 A, the system includes a plurality of such clients 310.

The interface 302 enables the tracking device 102 and the client computer 304 to communicate. Specifically, the interface 302 enables the tracking device 102 to upload data to the client computer 304. The interface 302 may comprise, for example, an infrared receiving device for a tracking device 102 equipped with an infrared transmitter. The client computer 304 has access to the Internet 306. The centralized athleteweb server 308 also has access to the Internet 306. As is well known, the Internet 106 is a network of networks which utilizes standard protocols to enable a multitude of devices to communicate with each other. In this case, the Internet 306 enables the plurality of clients 310 to communicate and interact with the centralized athlete web server 308. Fig. 3B is a schematic diagram of a centralized web-based system for uploading data from a tracking device with a wireless Internet link to a server for analysis of ^~ that data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system in Fig. 3B is different from the system in Fig. 3 A in that the tracking devices 102 are equipped with a wireless link to the Internet 306. Such a wireless link to the Internet 306 enables the tracking device 102 to communicate with the centralized athlete web server 308 without needing the interface 302 and client computer 304.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart of a business method for targeted marketing to distance athletes in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The business method relates to a business operating the centralized athlete web server 308. In a first step 402, a first agreement between the business and the athlete 101 is established. The agreement would allow the business to use for marketing purposes the data uploaded by the athlete 101 to the centralized athleteweb server 308. The marketing purposes may include, for example, targeted marketing to the athlete 101 by third party businesses. In a second step 404, the data is read by a back-end server 502. As described below in relation to Fig. 5, the back-end server 502 is coupled to the centralized athlete web server 308. The back-end server 502 comprises software which is, in a preferred embodiment, on a same computer system as the centralized athlete web server 308. In an alternate embodiment, the software of the back-end server 502 may be on a computer system which is separate from the computer system hosting the centralized athlete web server 308. In a third step 406, the back-end server 502 processes the data from the centralized athlete web server 308 to generate targeted marketing data. The targeted marketing data may include, for example, lists of email addresses of athletes in a particular locality or having other common characteristics. In a fourth step 408, a second agreement between the business operating the centralized athlete web server 308 and a third party business is established. The agreement may allow the third party business to access and or use marketing data from the business operating the centralized athlete web server 308. Finally, in a fifth step 410, targeted marketing data is transmitted from the business operating the centralized athlete web server 308 to the third party business in accordance with the first and second agreements.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a system for targeted marketing to athletes in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system includes a plurality of client computers 304, the Internet 306, a centralized athlete web server 308, a back-end server 502, and a third party computer 504. The client computers 304, the centralized athlete web server 308, the back-end server 502, and the third party computer 504 each have access to the Internet 306 and are able to thereby communicate and interact with each other.

The client computers 304 enable the athletes 101 to upload data to the centralized athlete web server 308 and to download analyzed data from the centralized athlete web server 308. The back-end server 502 is coupled to the centralized athlete web server 308 and processes data from the centralized athlete web server 308 to generate targeted marketing data. Finally, the third party computer 504 enables a third party business to access and/or use targeted marketing data from the back-end server 502. Fig. 6 is a schematic drawing of a tracking device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The tracking device 102 includes a batteryόOl, an antenna 602, a low-noise amplifier 603, a LCD 604, a LCD driver 605, OEM GPS electronics 606 and 607, a flash memory module 608, a serial controller 609 and connector 610. A serial cable capable of connecting to the serial connector is also shown in Fig. 6. The preferred embodiment for the serial connection is Universal Serial Bus (USB) with a alternate being RS232 serial protocol. An alternate embodiment of the current invention includes a heart monitor module with interface electronics. As illustrated in Fig. 6, this embodiment of the tracking device 102 fits into two inch by three inch packaging. An alternate embodiment may have a different form factor.

The battery may comprise a AA battery which may power the tracking device 102 for 8 hours or more. An alternate embodiment may have one or more AAA batteries or a rechargeable battery. The dipole antenna is a compact form of antenna which enables the tracking device 102 to Teceive global positioning system (GPS) signals. An alternate embodiment of the invention may contain either a slot, patch, cavity or microstrip type of antenna either for GPS reception or cellular communications.

The LCD (liquid crystal display) 604 is a low-power consuming and cost effective display device for displaying information from the tracking device 102 to the athlete 101. The LCD driver 605 is electronic circuitry to operate the LCD 604. The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) electronic cicuitry 606 and 607 provide GPS functionality as well as processing and input/output (I/O) capability to control the entire functionality of the tracking device 102. The processing power of the OEM board is provided by a microprocessor on the board. The preferred embodiment of the present inventions uses two electronic chips to provide for fast acquisition and low power tracking GPS satellites for a 3D position plus time solution.

Memory for the tracking device 102 is provided by the flash memory. In a preferred embodiment, the flash memory includes from 2 megabits of memory or more.

The heart monitor enables the tracking device 102 to read radio frequency (RF) signals from separate heart monitor devices which transmit such signals and are commercially available. Finally, the serial connector and serial cable enable the tracking device 102 to communicate with an interface 302 in order to upload data to a client computer 304.

In addition, the tracking device 102 may store range, range-rate (Doppler),and acceleration (from an accelerometers) data regarding the satellites used for the GPS solution. Such data may be used to apply differential GPS corrections at a later time. Alternatively, instead of applying differential position corrections, a GPS-derived velocity may be integrated to more accurately determine a distance traveled.

The preferred embodiment of this invention is intended to be worn on the arm, wrist or waist. However, there are alternate embodiments where the tracking device (102) could be worn. The tracking device could also be incorporated into a pair of shoes to create a "shoedometer" which would provide similar functionality.

Fig. 7 is an illustrative athletic tracking pictorial map in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The pictorial map shown in Fig. 7 may be transmitted to the athlete, for example, via posting to a web site which may be accessed by the athlete, or via electronic mail to the athlete, or via facsimile sent to the athlete.

The pictorial map shown comprises a computer-generated street map. Information relating to topography may also be transmitted by using a topographic map instead or in addition. Such a topographic map would include elevation information. While the example shown in Fig. 7 relates to an athlete who is a runner. A similar pictorial map and related information may be transmitted to an athlete who is a cyclist, roller blader, and so on.

Fig. 7 includes an athlete's name (User: Dina Gil), a name for the route traveled by the athlete (Route: Stanford, CA), a date for the athletic movement being tracked (Date: 6/22/99), and start and stop times for the athletic movement being tracked (Start Time: 6:15:03 pm, Stop Time: 6:22:58 pm). The pictorial map of Fig. 7 includes dots indicating the position of the athlete at certain time intervals, in this example, at two minute time intervals. The pictorial map also includes start and stop locations indicated by stars. Additional related information is given in the table below the pictorial map in Fig. 7. The information for this run includes: a total distance run (Distance); a total time taken (Time); an average pace (Min/Mile) indicated in minutes per mile; a total elevation change (vertical climb) indicated in feet; a difficulty rating (Difficulty); and a percentile ranking (Percentile). Further more, the information for this run is compared with information for a personal best run for the athlete. Finally, hyperlinks to other web pages provided are shown below the table. Such hyperlinks would be given if the pictorial map was transmitted to the athlete via posting to a web site. Units on distance, rate and time will be selectable by a user-profile setting. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an athletic log in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The log shown in Fig. 8 may be transmitted to the athlete, for example, via posting to a web site which may be accessed by the athlete, or via electronic mail to the athlete, or via facsimile sent to the athlete.

While the example shown in Fig. 8 relates to an athlete who is an athlete. A similar pictorial map and related information may be transmitted to an athlete who is a cyclist, roller blader, and so on.

Fig. 8 identifies the log (Dina Gil Log) and includes a log table. The log table has rows corresponding to particular activities by the athlete. A first column identifies each activity by date. A second column indicates a total distance for each activity. A third column indicates a total time for each activity. A fourth column indicates an average pace in minutes per mile for each activity. A fifth column indicates a vertical climb in feet for each activity. The vertical climbs shown is positive, but it may also be negative if the run is downhill. A . sixth column indicates a difficulty rating for each activity. Finally, a seventh column indicates a percentile ranking for each activity. In addition, total or overall values for the second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh columns are given. Further, hyperlinks to other web pages provided are shown below the table. Such hyperlinks would be given if the log was transmitted to the athlete via posting to a web site.

Additional log related features may be provided. For example, different logs may be provided for different sports (bicycling, skiing, etc.) for each athlete. Additionally, different logs may be provided for each member of a household or other group of people. Also, the preferred embodiment of this invention includes the functionality to group activities in such a way to compare with a preferred peer group, either by age, or gender or affiliation or a combination of these and other attributes. Comparison information between actual course runs and training schedules may also be provided. In addition, a weather record or weather summary may be provided for each run in the log, as well as space for personal note entries. Such personal note entries may indicate, for example, that the athlete was recovering from an illness that day. Fig. 9 depicts a flow chart of methods for determining businesses in proximity to an athlete's training course and for communicating contact information between such businesses and the athlete. The method illustrated in Fig. 9 may be used for various types of athletics, including athletes engaged in running, jumping, cycling, roller blading, rollerskiing, rollerskating, snow skiing, snowboarding, walking, swimming, surfing, waterskiing, parasailing, windsailing, car racing, horse racing, motorcycle racing, soccer, football, baseball, field hockey, lacross, polo, etc.

Fig. 9 indicates that the client with device 909 will initiate a service request 920 either manually or automatically using the service selector 921. Using a connection to the computer network 910 as described in Figs. 3A and 3B data for the type of service required and the current location and path information is sent to the server 911. The server 911 uses information gathered on third party businesses collected as shown in Figs 4 and 5 in conjunction with data sent from client device 909 to formulate the appropriate business to service the athlete. Business are weighted based on a number of criterion namely, proximity of the business to the athlete at the current time 901, proximity of the business to the path of the athlete either in the past or the future 902, the type of business compared to the client selection 903, the business hours versus current time 904, strategic market based on 3^rd party business information 905, user preferences or user history 906, and industrial or commercial rankings from either internal or external sources 907. The results from 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906, and 907 are combined in 908 to determine an overall ranked list sent to the client display device 922 through the computer network 910. The method in 908 also creates relative directions from the client device 909 location and the businesses on the list. Additionally this method 908 forms a local map to display on device 922 showing the relative position of the client device 9090 to the locations of the businesses on the listThis technology also has application to team sports. For example, it may be used to track the movement of soccer players during a soccer game. In particular, such a method may include: receiving a series of times and corresponding locations from a remote device attached to the soccer player; storing the series of times and corresponding locations on a web server; manipulating the series of times and corresponding locations to generate movement data; and allowing for secure access of the movement data from the web server.

The above description relates to specific embodiments which are merely illustrative of one application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications may be made to the specific embodiments described without departing from the true spirit of the invention. For example, the above description focuses on athletes and soccer players. However, the present invention is applicable also to other athletics, such as bikers, roller bladers, swimmers to some extent, baseball, football, basketball, and other sports.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of providing services to an athlete, the method comprising:receiving a series of times and corresponding locations from a remote device coupled to the athlete;comparing the series of corresponding locations to a list of locations of businesses to determine businesses in proximity to at least one of the corresponding locations; andproviding contact information for the athlete to one or more of the businesses in proximity.

2. The method of claim 1, where the athlete comprises a runner.

3. The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a cyclist,

The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a roller blader.

The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a hurdler,

6. The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a roller-skiier.

7. The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a roller skater

The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a snow skiier.

9. The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a snowboarder.

10. The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a walker,

11. The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a hiking,

12. The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a swimmer,

13. The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a surfer,

14. The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a windsailor.

15. The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a parasailor.

16. The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a car racer,

17. The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a motorcycle racer,

18. The method o f claim 1 where the athlete comprises a horse racer,

19. The method of claim 1 where the athlete comprises a soccer player.

20. The method of claim 1, where the athlete comprises a football player.

21. The method of claim 1 , where the athlete comprises a baseball player.

22. The method of claim 1, where the athlete comprises a field hockey player.

23. The method of claim 1, where the athlete comprises a lacross player.

24. The method of claim 1, where the athlete comprises a polo player.

25. The method of claim 1 , where the athlete comprises a rugby player.

26. A method for providing services to an athlete, the method .comprising:receiving a series of times and corresponding locations from a remote device coupled to the athlete;using the series of times and corresponding locations to generate a pictorial map; and transmitting the pictorial map to the athlete.

27. The method of claim 26, where transmitting the pictorial map to the athlete occurs via posting to a web site which may be accessed by the athlete.

28. The method of claim 26, where transmitting the pictorial map to the athlete occurs via electronic mail to the athlete.

29. The method of claim 26, where transmitting the pictorial map to the athlete occurs via facsimile sent to the athlete.

30. The method of claim 26, where the pictorial map is a topographic map.

31. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a runner.

32. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a cyclist.

33. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a roller blader

34. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a swimmer.

35. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a hurdler.

36. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a roller-skiier.

37. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a roller skater

38. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a snow skiier.

39. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a snowboarder.

40. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a walker.

41. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a hiking.

42. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a swimmer.

43. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a surfer.

44. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a windsailor.

45. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a parasailor.

46. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a car racer.

47. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a horse racer.

48. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a motorcycle racer.

49. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a soccer player.

50. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a football player.

51. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a baseball player.

52. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a field hockey player.

53. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a lacross player.

54. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a polo player.

55. The method of claim 26, where the athlete comprises a rugby players.