(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
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`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`29 August 2002 (29.08.2002)
`
`
`
`PCT
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 02/067449 A2
`
`(51) International Patent Classification7:
`
`H04B 1/38
`
`(74) Agent: MARTIN, Rick; Patent Law Offices of Rick Mar-
`tin, PC, 416 Coffman Street, Longmont, CO 80501 (US).
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`PCT/US02/04947
`
`(22) International Filing Date: 19 February 2002 (19.02.2002)
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`60/270,400
`
`20 February 2001 (20.02.2001)
`
`US
`
`(71) Applicant and
`(72) Inventor: ELLIS, Michael, D. [US/US]; 1300 Kingwood
`Place, Boulder, CO 80304 (US).
`
`(72) Inventor: ELLIS, Caron, S.; 1300 Kingwood Place,
`Boulder, CO 80304 (US).
`
`(81) Designated States (national): AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU,
`AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, CO, CR, CU,
`CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH,
`GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC,
`LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW,
`MX, MZ, NO, NZ, OM, PH, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG,
`SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ,
`VN, YU, ZA, ZM, ZW.
`
`(84) Designated States (regional): ARIPO patent (GH, GM,
`KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW),
`Eurasian patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM),
`European patent (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR,
`GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OAPI patent
`(BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR,
`NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`[Continued on next page]
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`(54) Title: MODULAR PERSONAL NETWORK SYSTEMS AND METHODS
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`(57) Abstract: We have disclosed a modular personal
`network (MPN) that includes multiple devices that
`may be worn, carried, or used in close proximity
`to a user.
`The devices communicate wirelessly.
`Functions of the MPN may be modified by adding or
`removing components. The MPN may communicate
`with a personal computer. General purpose devices
`may include a control unit, a display, a user input,
`and an audio output.
`The MPN may provide a
`variety of functions, including time, communication,
`entertainment,
`organization,
`guidance,
`athletic,
`medical,
`travel, outdoors,
`identity,
`security and
`military.
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`Published:
`— without international search report and to be republished
`upon receipt of that report
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`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid-
`ance Notes on Codes andAbbreviations " appearing at the begin-
`ning ofeach regular issue ofthe PCT Gazette.
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`TITLE
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`MODULAR PERSONAL NETWORK SYSTEMS AND METHODS
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`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
`
`This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application
`
`No. 60/270,400, filed February 20, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference
`
`herein in its entirety.
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`FIELD OF INVENTION
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`Our invention relates to modular personal network systems and methods. In
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`particular this invention relates to wireless networks of individual components that can be
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`easily added to or removed from the network to change its functions, and in which the
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`individual components are worn, carried, or used on or about the person of the user.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`A number of individual portable personal devices are available today. Such
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`personal devices provide specific functions to a person, in a number of different fields of
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`use. For example, there are mobile phones, personal digital assistants, medical
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`monitoring devices, personal entertainment systems, and athletic monitoring systems.
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`These and other portable electronic devices have significantly improved the convenience
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`of many activities.
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`However, each of these functions is provided individually. None of these
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`individual devices can combine with any of the other devices to provide improved
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`functions. If a user wishes to upgrade the capabilities of any of these devices, a new,
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`expensive device must be purchased and the old device discarded.
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`What is needed is a system in which individual portable device modules can be
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`combined in a multitude of ways to provide an infinite variety of functions. A portable
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`system is needed in which new functions can be added by simply adding or replacing a
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`single component. A portable system is needed in which the functions can be modified
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`simply by downloading new software or other parameters. A system is needed in which
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`functions in different fields of use can be easily combined. And a system is needed in
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`which the economies of scale and scope of building devices across multiple fields of use
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`can be used to benefit users of devices in all of the fields of use.
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`Wireless communication protocols have been defined. Bluetooth and IEEE
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`802.15 are two examples of protocols that may be used with personal portable devices.
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`What is needed is a system that provides the advantages of a modular personal network,
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`and that uses a standard wireless communication protocol such as one of these.
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`U.S. Patent No. 6,047,301 (2000) and U.S. Patent No. 6,336,126 (2002) both to
`
`Bjorklund, et al., disclose a wearable computer that communicates with a display device
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`using an optical link, and with a local area network using a radio communications link.
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`However, the system described is not modular, nor is it extensible.
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`U.S. Patent No. 6,324,053 (2001) to Kamijo discloses a wearable data processing
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`system. However, this system depends on a network of wiring stitched into the clothing
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`of the user.
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`U.S. Patent No. 6,108,197 (2000) to Janik discloses a flexible wearable computer.
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`However, this disclosure does not envision the needed extensibility.
`
`U.S. Patent No. 5,781,913 (1998) to Felsenstein, et al., discloses a wearable
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`hyperrnedium system. It is designed to allow a user to access a large amount of electronic
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`information using a hands-free system, but does not include provisions for extending to
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`other unanticipated uses.
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`A personal area network has been disclosed. For example, U.S. Patent No.
`
`6,331,972 (2001) to Harris, et al., discloses a circuit and method for personalizing an
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`electronic device through a personal area network. U.S. Patent No. 6,314,091 (2001) to
`
`LaRowe, Jr., et al., discloses a wireless personal area network with a plurality of
`peripheral devices, wherein a hub device provides attachment and detachment of
`
`peripheral devices. U.S. Patent No. 6,128,290 (2000) to Carvey discloses a personal data
`
`network that uses low duty cycle pulsed radio frequency energy to communicate and
`
`provide synchronization. U.S. Patent No. 5,909,183 (1999) to Borgstahl, et al., discloses
`
`a method for programming an appliance by a controller in a personal area network. U.S.
`
`Patent No. 5,898,831 (1999) to Hall, et al., discloses a method for including an appliance
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`in a personal area network and programming security criteria. However, none of these
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`systems provides the needed flexibility of our modular personal network (MPN). For
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`example, each of them requires a controller to be one of the devices in the personal area
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`network. These systems do not anticipate the needed methods for downloading data to a
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`personal area network from a personal computer or other system, nor for retrieving data
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`from a personal area network to a personal computer or other system. And the wide
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`variety of components, configurations, and uses has not been anticipated.
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`Users need more flexibility in display devices, such as how they are worn so that
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`they may be easily viewed during different activities. Users need display devices that can
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`be easily modified in their position and orientation. Users need a variety of mounting
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`options for individual components in an MPN. Users need an audio device that can be
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`easily worn during various activities, that can be heard during activities with ambient
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`noise, and that won't disturb other nearby people. Users need a system that provides
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`multiple types of audio output in an intelligent fashion. Users need a variety of input
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`devices for different types of activities, and which can be easily accessed during those
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`activities.
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`Users need to be able to reuse the same components for multiple purposes. These
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`purposes may include time keeping. Users need a network that allows communication
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`with other individuals, who may or may not have their own MPNS. Users need a network
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`that provides entertainment features, including playing music, playing games, and
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`capturing audio and video. Users need a portable system that combines personal
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`organization functions with other functions. Users need a mobile journal system that can
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`be customized for different types of uses, such as travel, athletics, healthcare, or other
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`purposes. Users need a system that provides guidance features, and combines them with
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`other features, such as audio and video annotations, collection of personal data, and
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`athletic workouts.
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`Users need a system that can provide a Variety of athletic functions, such as
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`downloading workout control parameters as well as uploading results of a workout.
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`Users need a system that can interface with exercise equipment, bicycles, and other
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`personal equipment. They need a system that collects performance data, detects and
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`corrects errors in the collected data, and estimates secondary data, based on the collected
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`primary data. Athletes need a mobile system to measure cadence and stride length. Some
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`athletes need reminders to consume water, sodium, and food. Swimmers need a system
`
`to measure and log lap-swimming workouts. Runners and other athletes need a mobile
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`system to provide form feedback. Athletes need a system that can work with another
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`system to provide a competition between multiple athletes.
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`Physical therapist, doctors, and other healthcare professionals need a system that
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`can provide a variety of functions, such as measuring user capabilities, monitoring
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`changes, keeping a medical journal, measuring metabolic parameters, detecting medical
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`problems, providing treatments, and providing medical databases. A system is needed
`
`that allows components to be ingested, injected, or implanted, as well as worn, carried, or
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`mounted on personal equipment. A system is needed that provides alternate input, output,
`
`and mounting for a disabled user.
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`Travelers and outdoor users need a system that provides a variety of integrated
`
`features. For example, a system is needed that combines translation, travel information
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`repository, wildlife recognition, weather, route guidance, local entertainment, and
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`orienteering functions. A system is needed that can provide user identification functions
`
`and that can use that identification to provide other services, such as transfer of money
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`and product purchasing and discounts. Users need a system that can provide personal
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`security features, such as audible alerts, transmitted alerts, and storing emergency
`
`information. A system is also needed that can support military needs.
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`SUMMARY
`
`Our invention satisfies these and other needs by providing a modular personal
`
`network (MPN). A main aspect of our invention is a system that allows multiple
`
`individual network components (INCs), each with one or more primary fimctions, to be
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`used in a wireless personal network, and that INCs may be added and removed modularly
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`to add or remove functions of the MPN. This includes the ability to add INCs that were
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`not anticipated when the MPN was first assembled.
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`INCS are personal, in that they may
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`be worn, carried, mounted on personal equipment, or otherwise used in proximity to the
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`person associated with the MPN. Another aspect of our invention is that it supports INCs
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`from different manufacturers, of different models, of different types, and with different
`
`capabilities. Another aspect is the ability to download software, data, settings, and other
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`information into an INC to control functions of the MPN, and to upload data from an
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`INC. Yet another aspect of our invention is the use of a common network identifier
`
`among the INCs of the MPN, to prevent interference between INCs that may be part of
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`different MPNs, and to prevent the unauthorized use of an INC. Still another aspect of
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`our invention is a single turn on or turn off command to turn on or off all INCs in an
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`MPN.
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`Another aspects of our invention is a control unit, which may be an INC
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`containing a processor and memory for controlling other INCs in the MPN.
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`Alternatively, there may be no control unit, ‘and each INC may provide its own control. A
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`base station or personal computer may interact with the MPN, to download sofiware,
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`data, and settings, and to upload data that may have been collected by the MPN. The
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`MPN may interact with a wide area network, such as the Internet, using the base station
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`or personal computer in another aspect.
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`Another aspect of our invention is that one of the INCS may function as a display
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`device. A display INC may be mounted on the back of the wrist in a manner similar to a
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`wristwatch, it may be worn on the side of the wrist or hand, or it may be worn in any
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`other suitable location. The orientation of the display may be changed to suit the needs of
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`the user. In another aspect of our invention, the display INC or other INCS may be worn
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`using a reconfigurable mount that allows easy repositioning and replacement of the INC.
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`Another aspect of our invention is that one of the INCs may fimction as an audio
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`output device, which may provide audio cues, voice, music or other types of audio
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`information. The audio output INC may include headphones, ear inserts, or speakers that
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`mount in a hat or headband. If multiple types of audio output are supported, one audio
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`signal may be paused or muted while the other is generated.
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`Another aspect of our invention is that one of the INCs may function as a user
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`input device, and may include a device such as a button or pressure sensor, a touch pad
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`and stylus, or a voice input. Pressure sensors may be worn on the hand, fingers, foot, or
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`waist, where they may be easily operated by tapping.
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`Another aspect of our invention is that it may be used for one or many purposes,
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`and that the purposes may be changed as INCS are added or removed, as software or data
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`is downloaded, or as a user changes activities. Purposes may include time-related,
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`communications, entertainment, personal organization, guidance, athletic, physical
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`therapy, medical, disability-related, travel-related, outdoor-related, identification,
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`security, military, or other purposes or combinations of purposes.
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`Time-related purposes of our invention may include providing the current time,
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`multiple time zones, stopwatch functions, and interval timing fimctions, and may also be
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`used to synchronize other functions of the MPN. Communications fimctions may include
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`communicating with another MPN to provide games, competitions, and to transfer
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`personal information, software, music, and other information. Other communications
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`functions may include telephone, paging, instant messaging, and electronic mail.
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`Entertainment functions may include playing recorded music or radio, recording audio or
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`video, or playing a game. Audio, video and images recorded by the user may be linked to
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`other personal data that may have been simultaneously collected by the MPN. Personal
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`organization functions may include scheduling appointments, managing contacts,
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`managing a task list, and keeping an electronic journal. An electronic journal may
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`support text, audio, sketch, image, and video entries, may automatically tag journal
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`entries with time or location, may allow journal entries to be linked to database entries,
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`and may allow journal entries to be uploaded to a personal computer and converted to a
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`standard file format. Guidance fimctions may include providing position, elevation, and
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`speed information, providing route guidance, and collecting and annotating position
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`information with text, audio, video, and personal data. Guidance fimctions may also
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`include recommending an athletic training route based on desired workout parameters,
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`and comparing personal data collected during multiple sessions.
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`Athletic filnctions may include controlling a workout, including controlling
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`individual sections of a workout, and collecting results from a workout. A coaching
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`interface may provide creation and monitoring of a workout plan. Both music and audio
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`athletic cues may be provided. An INC of the MPN may control a setting on a piece of
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`exercise equipment, or may collect data from a piece of exercise equipment. The MPN
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`may measure distance, speed, heart rate, cadence, stride length, and other athletic data.
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`Errors in collected data may be corrected. Secondary performance parameters may be
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`estimated based on collected data and other stored information. An athlete may be
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`reminded to consume water, sodium, food, or other consumables. Two athletes with
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`MPNs may be provided a competition. The MPN may provide lap counts, workout
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`logging, and other lap swimming functions. The MPN may provide form feedback to an
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`athlete. An athletic journal may also be provided.
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`Physical therapy fimctions may include measuring range of motion, doing gait
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`analysis and form feedback, testing muscle strength, monitoring changes in physical
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`capabilities, and providing a physical therapy journal. Medical functions may include
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`measuring a metabolic value, detecting a medical problem, controlling a treatment device
`
`or taking other medical actions, providing emergency communications, providing storage
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`of medical databases, and providing a medical journal. INCs may be worn or carried by a
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`doctor, patient, or nurse, mounted on equipment such as a wheelchair, or implanted,
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`injected, or ingested into a patient. Functions for a disabled user may include alternate
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`output methods, alternate input devices, and mounting an INC on a wheelchair or other
`
`equipment.
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`Travel-related functions may include language translation, currency conversion,
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`time zone conversion, route guidance, local information, guidebook functions, wildlife
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`recognition, a travel journal, weather information, transit information, local entertainment
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`information, and expense tracking. Outdoor-related fimctions may include direction,
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`position, elevation, route, and weather features. Identity functions may use a smart card,
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`personal code, or biometric information to identify a user to another person or system,
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`and may provide exchange of money, product discounts, and purchasing features.
`
`Security functions may include an audible alert, an alert message to a public safety
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`facility, and storing emergency contact and emergency medical information. Military
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`functions may include communications, global positioning, guidance, and weather
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`functions.
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`An MPN is a set of lNCs that communicate using a wireless network. These INCs
`
`use a common communications protocol, such as the Bluetooth protocol or the IEEE
`
`802.15 standard, to send messages between themselves. Using a common protocol means
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`that the same electronic components and sofiware can be used in each of them, keeping
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`the cost low.
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`A common protocol also allows new INCs to be added more easily. This
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`invention is "modular," in that new INCS can be added at any time. This may change the
`
`function of the overall system. As lNCs are added, the system's capabilities will grow.
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`As one INC replaces another, the functions of the system change accordingly. The
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`system will continue to function, with reduced capabilities, as lNCs are removed. INCs
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`may be built by various manufacturers, and may have different capabilities.
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`Our invention is also "personal." This means that the MPN is small in size,
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`roughly encompassing one person's "personal space." INCs may be worn by the user,
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`they may be carried by the user, or they may just be in close proximity, for example
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`mounted on personal equipment. Also "personal" is the fact that MPNS provide exactly
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`the functions that the individual wants, because the combination of INCs is virtually
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`limitless.
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`The MPN may be changed at any time, and the functions of the system may
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`change correspondingly. For example, a new INC may be added, and a new function may
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`be enabled by the system. An INC may be removed, and a function of the system may be
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`disabled. The system may automatically detect a change in the MPN, and
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`correspondingly change the functions. Alternatively, a user may enter a changed
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`configuration, for example into a base station, control unit, or personal computer.
`
`Another advantage of our invention is that it is extensible. This means that an
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`INC can be added at any later time, even though that specific INC and its fimctions may
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`not have been anticipated at the time the system was first put together. Each new INC
`
`uses the same communications methods and protocols to send and receive data and
`
`commands. The functions of the system are controlled by downloaded software. This
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`means that new software can be downloaded to support the unanticipated new INC.
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`Software may be downloaded into an INC in the MPN, such as a "control unit."
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`The control unit may include memory for holding software and data, and a processor.
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`The control unit may send commands and data to some INCS and retrieve data from other
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`INCs. By modifying the software in the control unit, the system may support previously
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`unanticipated INCs. Software may also be downloaded into any other INC.
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`Software may be downloaded into an INC of the MPN by a personal computer.
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`Software on the personal computer may control what is downloaded. The software on the
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`personal computer may allow extensions to support unanticipated functions and INCs.
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`The software extensions may allow the user to specify software modules to download, to
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`configure parameters for the unanticipated INCs, or to perform other functions related to
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`additional INCS and fiinctions.
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`One of the INCs in the MPN may be a "base station." This base station may used
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`to download information, such as software, data, setup options, and time, into at least one
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`of the other INCS, such as the control unit. The base station may, for example, be
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`connected to a personal computer. The base station, in that embodiment, may provide
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`wireless connectivity to one or more of the other INCs, while the personal computer
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`provides storage and a user interface for manipulating the information sent to and from
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`the INCs in the MPN. The base station may communicate with the personal computer
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`over a standard connection, such as a universal serial bus (USB), serial port, Ethernet,
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`wireless network, infrared, PC Card interface, or over a direct connection to the personal
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`computer's bus.
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`The personal computer may provide a user interface for controlling the INCs in
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`the MPN. For example, the computer may allow the user to specify what functions are to
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`be enabled by the system, which may then determine what software to download. The
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`user may set configuration parameters that would then be downloaded to the INC(s) in the
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`MPN.
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`The base station or personal computer may also have a wide area network
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`connection, such as an Internet connection. This may allow another person to control
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`functions of the system. This could include a healthcare professional, if the system is
`
`being used for medical purposes. It might include a coach if the system is being used for
`
`athletic purposes. It might include a manufacturer or distributor of any of the INCs in the
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`MPN, who may wish to download software and parameters into the system to support the
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`INC.
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`The base station, personal computer, and/or computer over a network connection
`
`may also be used to upload data from any of the lNCs in the MPN, such as a control unit
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`or data collection INC. This data may be stored, modified, analyzed, displayed, or
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`otherwise used on one of those other stations.
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`All of the INCS within a single MPN may be assigned a single unique identifier.
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`This identifier may be downloaded, for example, from a base station or personal
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`computer to each of the INCs. All communications between INCs may be tagged with
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`this unique identifier. This will prevent interference between the two MPNs used by two
`
`different people. INCs in each system will only listen to messages tagged with that
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`MPN‘s own identifier.
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`The unique identifier can also be used to deter theft and other misuse of any INC.
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`Each INC can be programmed to not accept a different unique identifier without explicit
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`authorization from the authorized user, for example on a base station or personal
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`computer. The INCs may also be configured so that the unique identifier they use cannot
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`be extracted to program into a different INC.
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`All of the lNCs in a single MPN may be turned off or on with a single command.
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`For example, a user may press a button or speak a command, which may be received by
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`one of the INCs. The command to turn off may be sent to all of the lNCs in the MPN.
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`When any INC receives the turn off command, it may cease any data collection or control
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`functions, stop sending any wireless communications, go into a low-power mode, and
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`otherwise minimize power use. Other than periodically checking for a turn on message,
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`the INC may cease all communications. The user input INC may continue monitoring for
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`a turn on indication from the user. When the turn on command is received, the INC may
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`resume its full capabilities. This feature may be useful to conserve power, as well as to
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`minimize radio frequency interference in environments, such as on a commercial airliner,
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`Where wireless communication may cause interference.
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`Our invention may be controlled by a single module configured as a control unit.
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`This may be an INC that is worn on the person like the other INCs in the MPN. The
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`control unit may have the facility to allow software to be downloaded into it. The control
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`unit may interface with and control the other INCs in the MPN over the wireless network,
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`based on the downloaded software. This allows the functions of the system to be easily
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`modified, simply by downloading different software. If desired, there may be no control
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`unit, and some or all of the INCs may support software download. In addition to software
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`or firmware, the control unit (or any other INCs in the MPN) may also allow the
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`download of data, setup options and other configuration data, current time, or any other
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`information. The control unit, or other INCs, may also allow the uploading of data to a
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`base station or personal computer.
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`The control unit, if present, may be a separate INC, or it may be combined with
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`another of the INCs, such as a display. In some cases, it may be more efficient to
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`combine the functions of any two of the INCs into a single INC that provides multiple
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`fimctions. Alternatively, any individual function may be provided by a single INC. The
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`control unit, for example, may be a separate unit, worn on a waistband.
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`The control unit, if present, preferably has memory and a processor, in addition to
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`its communication device. This memory and processor support downloading of
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`information and software, as well as control of other INCs in the MPN.
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`For example, one of the INCs may be a display device. Traditionally, displays
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`worn by a person have been in the form of a wrist display, such as a wristwatch.
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`However, users of our invention can choose the type of display that best suits their needs.
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`This may be a display worn on a wristband, carried in the hand or pocket, mounted on a
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`piece of exercise equipment, mounted on a bicycle or in an automobile, or any other
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`suitable method of carrying by the user. In fact, the user may have multiple display INCs,
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`and pick the desired one at any time based on a specific activity.
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`Traditionally, a wristwatch-type display is worn on the back of the wrist.
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`However, our invention allows the display to be worn or carried in any manner. For
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`example, a runner who does not wish to turn the wrist to view the display may prefer a
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`display that is mounted on the side of the wrist or hand, that can be viewed while
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`maintaining proper running form. The display may be configured so that it can be worn
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`on either the left or right side. It may be configured so that the top of the display is
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`oriented toward the thumb, toward the back of the wrist, or at an angle between the two.
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`Alternatively, it may allow the user to configure the orientation of the display by
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`choosing between one or more options.
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`Our invention may provide a reusable wearable mount for a display INC or other
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`INCs. This mount may allow the user to easily change one INC for another, to move the
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`INC, or to reorient the INC.
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`Wrist displays today, such as Wristwatches, typically have input controls and
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`audio outputs built-in. These input controls are often tiny and difficult to use. These
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`audio outputs, since they are located far from the user's ear, are often difficult to hear.
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`Our invention does not require that these controls and outputs be integrated into the wrist
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`display. In fact, our invention encourages each fimction to be placed where it is most
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`usable. For example, the controls may be a set of switches, buttons, or other pressure-
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`sensitive devices worn at convenient points on the body. For example, one sensor can be
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`worn at the tip of each finger in a glove or partial glove. The user can then operate the
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`system by tapping with different fingers or tapping specific sequences to enter different
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`commands to the system. Alternatively, the sensors may be worn at different locations on
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`a waistband, allowing the user to control the system by tapping different locations on the
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`waist. The sensors may be worn on a foot, so that the system can be operated by tapping
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`a foot. The controls may be mounted on a bicycle or piece of exercise equipment. Any
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`other suitable types of controls may be used, including dials, levers, keyboards, voice
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`inputs, touch pads and any suitable combination of multiple types of inputs.
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`Similarly, an audio output may be provided separately from the display and other
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`INCs. For example, headphones or earphones may be used. Alternatively, one or more
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`speakers may be worn inside a hat or headband, providing sound via conduction through
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`the skull. Such embodiments allow the audio feedback to be loud enough to be easily
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`heard by the user, even in poor conditions such as being on a busy street, while keeping
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`the sounds quiet enough to not disturb other nearby people.
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`The system with an audio output INC may provide an audio output fimction. For
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`example, music may be stored in a digital form in memory in the control unit or another
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`INC with a storage capability and sent to the audio output INC. An INC may also
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`generate audio feedback related to other functions provided by the system. For example,
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`if the system is being used for athletic monitoring, audio feedback may be used to prompt
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`the user to work out harder or easier, to provide performance information, or to inform
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`the user what workout zone he or she is in.
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`The system may provide different audio outputs to signify different situations or
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`conditions. For example, different sounds may be generated for different situations.
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`Alternatively, different sound sequences may be generated for different conditions. As
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`yet another embodiment, sound may be sent to different speakers for different conditions.
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`Voice may also be synthesized. Any of these techniques may be combined.
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`The system may also provide both music and audio feedback. This is a