United States Patent [19J
`Fry
`
`I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006002982A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,002,982
`Dec.14,1999
`
`[54] SPORTS COMPUTER WITH GPS RECEIVER
`AND PERFORMANCE TRACKING
`CAPABILITIES
`
`[76]
`
`Inventor: William R. Fry, 605 Echoglen Ct.,
`Colorado Springs, Colo. 80906
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/742,373
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 1, 1996
`
`[51]
`[52]
`
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`Int. Cl.6
`................................................... G06F 165/00
`U.S. Cl. .......................... 701/213; 701/211; 701/214;
`340/427; 340/432; 482/57
`Field of Search ..................................... 701/200, 201,
`701/207, 208, 209, 213, 214, 216, 211;
`340/427, 432; 482/57
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,163,216
`4,642,606
`4,862,395
`5,008,647
`5,210,540
`
`7/1979 Arpino ............................... 340/870.13
`2/1987 Tsuyama ................................. 324/174
`8/1989 Fey et al. ................................ 364/561
`4/1991 Brunt et al. ............................. 324/168
`5/1993 Masumoto .............................. 701/213
`
`5,335,188
`8/1994 Brisson .............................. 364/551.01
`5,506,774
`4/1996 Nobe et al. ............................. 701/213
`5,629,668
`5/1997 Downs .................................... 340/427
`Primary Examiner-William A Cuchlinski, Jr.
`Assistant Examiner-Gertrude Arthur
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gifford, Krass, Groh, Sprinkle,
`Anderson & Citkowski, PC
`ABSTRACT
`
`[57]
`
`A sports computer having an integral global satellite posi(cid:173)
`tioning (GPS) receiver and computer interfacing capability
`enables functional and/or performance characteristics to be
`tracked and analyzed as a function of geographical position
`and/or elevation. The computer includes mounting means
`and/or interfaces to one or more sensors to measure opera(cid:173)
`tional and/or physiological parameters such as heart rate, or
`weather conditions such as temperature. Means are provided
`for downloading the stored geographical and sensor param(cid:173)
`eters to an external personal computer so that the data
`collected during a workout may be reviewed and analyzed
`on the screen of the PC. Preferably, map data may also be
`stored enabling the collected data to be viewed relative to the
`map information, for example, in superposition.
`
`21 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
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`ELECTRONIC
`COMPASS
`
`IPR2018-00294
`Apple Inc. EX1004 Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 14, 1999
`
`Sheet 1of3
`
`6,002,982
`
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`IPR2018-00294
`Apple Inc. EX1004 Page 2
`
`

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`IPR2018-00294
`Apple Inc. EX1004 Page 3
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec.14,1999
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
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`6,002,982
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`
`IPR2018-00294
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`6,002,982
`
`1
`SPORTS COMPUTER WITH GPS RECEIVER
`AND PERFORMANCE TRACKING
`CAPABILITIES
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to computer-based
`systems of the type which display speed, used for sports
`training purposes, and, more particularly, to a system includ(cid:173)
`ing a GPS receiver and means for transferring measurements
`to a personal computer to facilitate the tracking and mapping
`of route and athlete performance parameters.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`an external computer such as a PC. Thus, according to the
`'188 patent, although a computer interface is provided, it is
`essentially limitec in function to that of a memory expansion
`port.
`Despite the various speed, distance and cadence functions
`available through existing cycle-mounted computers, none
`receive geographical coordinates through, for example, a
`global positioning satellite ( GPS) receiver. Although a vari(cid:173)
`ety of vehicle-oriented tracking and mapping systems do
`10 exist which include GPS capabilities, none exist for
`bicycles. However, the inclusion of such a capability within
`a bicycle computer provides a number of unique advantages,
`as will be explained in the sections herein detailing the
`instant invention. As one such advantage, by utilizing an
`15 additional satellite to obtain altitude as well as longitude/
`latitude coordinates, the cyclist may be provided with eleva(cid:173)
`tion as well as geographic location information, which may
`be particularly useful in determining performance,
`endurance, and other characteristics. Moreover, by obtaining
`20 and storing position and/or altitude information, these char(cid:173)
`acteristics may be tracked in terms of location and/or
`altitude, enabling the cyclist to visualize speed, cadence and
`other external and/or physiological characteristics as a func(cid:173)
`tion of geographical position, further allowing performance
`25 attributes to be tracked and plotted, for example, on an
`external personal computer. By combining GPS capabilities
`with the various functional and performance monitoring and
`tracking capabilities disclosed herein, the rider may not only
`visualize performance as a function of geometry, including
`30 incline, but will also be more equipped to optimize
`performance, by determining when cadence, gearshifting,
`and other riding changes were, or should have been,
`executed.
`
`Sports-related measurement systems have grown dramati(cid:173)
`cally in sophistication, over the years. With respect to
`bicycling, such systems have evolved from older, heavy
`speedometers, and the like, to modern electronic units
`capable of monitoring and displaying a number of perfor(cid:173)
`mance characteristics.
`So-called bicycle computers, which for example, track
`and electronically display speed, distance, and so forth, are
`now common in the art. The following examples are illus(cid:173)
`trative of known systems of this type. In U.S. Pat. No.
`4,642,606, entitled "DATA DISPLAY UNIT FOR A
`BICYCLE" to Tsuyama, there is disclosed a handlebar(cid:173)
`mounted display unit to which a wheel and crank sensor are
`communicatively interfaced, affording the calculation of
`running data such as speed, distance, average speed, maxi(cid:173)
`mum speed and so forth, based upon electrical pulses
`received from the wheel and crank sensors. U.S. Pat. No.
`4,862,395 entitled "DATA DISPLAY INSTRUMENT FOR
`A BICYCLE" to Fey et al. includes most of the same
`features of the device of Tsuyama, but claims to improve
`upon the display by providing an analog scale field to 35
`display traveling speed and pedaling speed on a momentary,
`more readable basis. The '395 patent also includes a sensor
`associated with wheel rotation, and an additional sensor
`associated with pedal speed to determine cadence. In addi(cid:173)
`tion to the devices just described, others exist, both in patent 40
`literature and as commercially available products.
`Bicycle computers also exist which have output ports
`enabling the device to be interfaced to a commercially
`available personal computer. The invention, "BICYCLE
`COMPUTER WITH MEMORY AND MEANS FOR COM(cid:173)
`PARING PRESENT AND PAST PERFORMANCE IN
`REAL TIME," disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,188 to
`Brisson, for example, discloses a device for monitoring and
`comparing present, past and ideal performance on an exer(cid:173)
`cise machine such as a bicycle. The system operates under
`a predetermined set of user-controlled instructions, to store
`a set of performance data in memory, which can then be
`compared against a stored, user selected performance data.
`Comparisons among these various data sets may then be
`displayed.
`The exercise computer of Brisson includes a connector
`( 65) for linking to an external computer, but the capabilities
`involved are extremely limited. In one example given, data
`in the memory of the computer itself may be transmitted to
`the external computer for "safekeeping," then transferred 60
`back to the cycle computer at a later time. The specified
`purpose is to ensure that the data are not lost should the
`memory suffer from a power failure, should the cycle
`computer be stolen. Alternatively, if the user rides on many
`different routes, the cycle computer may not have enough 65
`memory to save all ride data, in which case the connector
`(65) may be used to transfer a larger number of pace files to
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention improves upon the prior art by
`providing a sports computer having an integral global sat(cid:173)
`ellite positioning ( GPS) receiver and computer interfacing
`capability, enabling functional and/or performance charac(cid:173)
`teristics to be tracked and analyzed as a function of geo-
`graphical position and/or elevation. Though the descriptions
`herein focus on a bicycling implementation, the invention is
`readily applicable to other sports involving travel over time,
`45 regardless of the equipment involved, including running,
`rowing, kayaking, gliding, etc. In a cycling application, for
`example, in addition to sensors for vehicle speed and
`cadence, the invention further includes, in alternative
`embodiments, sensors for heart rate, and weather conditions
`50 such as temperature and wind speed/direction.
`In a preferred embodiment, the device according to the
`invention includes means for mounting an enclosed mobile
`computer system directly to the athlete or equipment in use,
`with interfaces to one or more sensors which measure
`55 performance characteristics. A GPS receiver and small
`antenna are also included within and on the device, enabling
`the geographical information to be gathered and stored
`therein. Preferably the receiver communicates with suffi(cid:173)
`cient satellites to determine altitude information as well as
`longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates. The device accord(cid:173)
`ing to the invention includes sufficient memory to store
`geographical coordinates on a periodic basis, even for a
`long-term use, which may constitute several days.
`Also in a preferred embodiment, the inventive device is
`capable of being interfaced to an external computer such as
`a personal computer (PC), including a laptop computer, so
`that the data collected during a workout may be reviewed
`
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`Apple Inc. EX1004 Page 5
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`

`6,002,982
`
`3
`and analyzed on the screen of the PC. Preferably, map data
`may also be stored, either in the mobile aspect of the
`invention or, more conveniently, within the PC on
`CD-ROM, enabling the collected data to be viewed relative
`to the map information, for example, in superposition with
`respect thereto.
`In addition to the inclusion of a GPS receiver capability,
`in alternative embodiments, the invention may optionally
`include a heart-rate sensor, preferably in the form of a check
`or appendage pressure sensor, as well as weather condition
`sensors to provide temperature and/or wind speed/direction
`indications. Such parameters, if collected, are also stored
`along with, and in conjunction with, the GPS information for
`later review on the personal computer. The mobile aspect
`may either be left on the equipment used by the athlete, with
`the collected data being removed on a computer-accessible
`module or card containing a non-volatile memory in some
`form, whether inherently or through battery back-up. As an
`alternative, the mobile unit may be disconnected from its
`sensor inputs and removed for relocation proximate to the
`PC, with the data being accessed through a connector joining
`the PC to the mobile unit.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an oblique drawing of a sports computer
`according to the invention for cycling use, including a GPS
`receiver and a comprehensive complement of other
`functional, physiological and external condition sensors;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a sports computer according 30
`to the invention, including major electrical subsystems and
`connections therebetween;
`FIG. 3 is a flowchart used to indicate major subroutines
`and other operations performed by a software aspect of the
`invention; and
`FIG. 4 is a drawing as seen from an oblique perspective
`which shows a sports computer according to the invention
`removed from its mobile mounted state and connected to a
`personal computer to view route information and perfor(cid:173)
`mance characteristics through pull-down menus associated
`with various points along a particular workout route.
`
`5
`
`4
`system includes a speed sensor 112 attached to the computer
`electronics via cable 113, which attaches to a connector
`point on the enclosure 104 (not visible in the drawing). In the
`preferred embodiment, a crank speed sensor 114 is also
`included, this being connectable to the computer electronics
`via cable 115. Although different sensing technologies may
`be used, this invention preferably uses moving magnets
`which induce a signal into a stationary sensor mounted
`appropriately on the bike frame containing a lead switch as
`10 in the 1606 patent to Tsuyama, or, more preferably, a
`Hall-effect sensor. With sensors 112 and 114 for wheel speed
`and crank speed, respectively, various aspects may be moni(cid:173)
`tored or computed, including speed, cadence, distance
`traveled, and time/distance remaining if terminal trip param-
`15 eters are entered. Additionally, with wheel rotation and
`crank rotation being known, gear ratio may also be
`computed, that is, the gear settings used by the rider at that
`point in time. As an alternative to the use of a discrete crank
`sensor, according to the invention, since the system is
`20 capable of determining ground speed and gear ratio, pedal
`revolutions per minute may be calculated. An additional
`sensor may be used to sense what gear the bike is in, with
`the software preferably allowing for the ability to input or
`change gear set, as serious riders typically have more than
`25 one set. In addition to speed and cadence sensing, a heart
`rate monitor may be included, preferably in the form of a
`chest or appendage pressure sensor or, alternatively, in the
`form of a finger cot 116, facilitating a very short connection
`117 to be made to the enclosure 104.
`In addition to sensors which measure cycle functional or
`operational characteristics and rider physiology, additional
`sensors may be provided according to the invention to
`determine weather conditions. In particular, a temperature
`sensor 120 may be mounted on an outer surface of the
`35 enclosure 104, preferably with appropriate wind shielding to
`guard against false readings. Additionally, an optional wind
`sensing apparatus including a wind direction indicator 122
`and wind speed monitor 124 may be provided on a mount
`126, either emanating from the enclosure 104 or mounted
`40 elsewhere on the bike, preferably away from the rider, again,
`so that the existing wind pattern is not disturbed. Although,
`obviously, as the bike travels at high speed in a particular
`direction, accurate indications of wind direction and speed
`would not be possible. However, since, for reasons
`45 explained below, the rider's direction and speed may be
`known or computed, the effects of bicycle movement may be
`subtracted from those of the indicators 122 and 124 to obtain
`wind-related readings which at least approximate existing
`weather conditions. In addition to the various sensors just
`described, other may be provided internal to the enclosure
`104, and therefore not visible, such as an electronic compass
`which, as described above, may be interfaced to the wind
`detection sensors to subtract bicycle movement effects for a
`more accurate reading.
`Continuing the discussion of FIG. 1, also supported on the
`enclosure 104 is a global positioning satellite ( GPS) antenna
`which interfaces to a GPS receiver, the functioning of which
`is better understood with reference to FIG. 2. The antenna
`130 interfaces to a GPS receiver 210 which connects to
`central controller 220 via signal lines 222. Although the
`receiver 210 may be constructed from discrete components,
`in the preferred embodiment, the receiver 210 is imple(cid:173)
`mented using a "signal-chip" GPS receiver which have
`recently become commercially available from various
`manufacturers. Signal lines 222 include power-up/satellite
`locating signals from the processor 220, as well as positional
`information which is delivered to the processor 220 via an
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`Reference will now to be made to the accompanying
`figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like
`elements, though such elements may be present in more than
`one drawing. FIG. 1 illustrates, from an oblique perspective
`at 100, a bicycle 102 having mounted thereon a bicycle 50
`computer 104 according to the invention. With the exception
`of sensors and associated hardware, the electrical sub(cid:173)
`systems are contained within an enclosure mountable on the
`bicycle 102, preferably in the form of a cradle 106 within
`which the enclosure 104 is releasably held for mobile use, 55
`yet enabling the enclosure to be detached therefrom for
`computer interfacing, as best understood with reference to
`FIG. 4.
`On the enclosure 104 there is supported an operator
`control including a set of mode switches 108 and a display 60
`110, preferably based upon low-power liquid-crystal display
`(LCD) technology. Various sensors are interfaced to the
`computer contained within the enclosure 104, preferably
`through a connector common to all such connections,
`enabling the enclosure 104 to be most conveniently detached 65
`and removed from the cradle 105 for the downloading of the
`data collected during a particular ride. At the very least, the
`
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`6,002,982
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`5
`interrupt structure, better understood with reference to the
`flowchart and text accompanying of FIG. 3. The controller
`220 is preferably a single-chip microcomputer of conven(cid:173)
`tional design, implemented using C-MOS technology to
`consume the least amount of power during use, which is
`provided in the preferred embodiment through a recharge(cid:173)
`able battery pack 224. Timing for the microcomputer con(cid:173)
`troller 220 is preferably provided by a crystal-controlled
`clock 221. Though not shown in the figures, optional solar
`cells may also be used as a primary power source or to
`charge the batteries 224 during use.
`Also interfaced to controller 220 is a memory 226 into
`which geographical information received from the GPS
`receiver electronics 210 is stored, along with information
`received and decoded, if necessary, from the various sensors, 15
`depending upon the overall configuration. In the preferred
`embodiment, the memory 226 uses one or more C-MOS
`random-access memories, again, to conserve power. The
`memory 226 may either be removable on a board or card 228
`and transferred to a personal computer for downloading in 20
`that manner, thus requiring that the memory 226 be rendered
`non-volatile, either inherently, as in the form of an electrical
`an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
`(EEPROM), for example, or through the use of a battery (not
`shown) for back-up purposes.
`As an alternative to this means for transferring collected
`ride data to a personal computer, such information may be
`downloaded through PC port 230, in which case the entire
`cycle computer enclosure 104 would be removed from its
`carrying mechanism and placed proximate to the personal 30
`computer for access thereby, as best seen and described with
`reference to FIG. 4.
`Now making reference to FIG. 3, there is shown generally
`at 304 a flowchart representative of major software routines
`executed by controller 220 contained within the enclosure
`104 of a bicycle computer according to the invention.
`Although FIG. 3 does not provide a functional block for all
`steps executed by the computer, the following description
`will enable one of ordinary skill in the art of microcomputer
`programming to write code for all of the routines involves.
`Upon power-up, the controller executes an initialization
`routine identified at block 306, wherein, in particular, the
`GPS receiver 210 cycles through its satellite-finding routine,
`a requirement to all such GPS subsystems. Also at this stage,
`the controller may test to see which sensors are connected,
`as well as perform other input/output (110), memory(cid:173)
`management functions, and so forth.
`Next, at block 310, the controller scans the mode switches
`108 to determine if a change in desired functionality has
`occurred. At block 314, for example, the controller checks to
`see if the system has been reset, in which case the contents
`of memory 226 may be cleared on a global or selective basis,
`preferably in accordance with operator responses to queries
`presented on the display 110. If there has been a change in
`display mode, as signified with block 318, appropriate
`parameters will be loaded so that, at the execution of the
`update display block 360 as described below, the parameters
`desired by the operator will be displayed, be they geographic
`position, speed or physiological or weather conditions, or
`any combination thereof, depending upon configuration. As
`a further option, at block 322, another one of the switches
`108 may be chosen so that distance and speed read-out may
`be in English or metric, in accordance with the operator's
`preference. It should be clear that, in accordance with
`available hardware options, additional mode-related com(cid:173)
`mands may be executed in response to an affirmative answer
`to the question at block 310.
`
`6
`Having attended to mode-related functions, the controller
`next executes the most time-critical routines, preferably in
`the form of interrupts, followed by a scanning of less-time
`critical sensor inputs, after which the display is updated in
`5 accordance with new and previously stored parameters.
`More particularly, at block 330, if, through a mode selection,
`a GPS position is to be received, an interrupt is generated,
`and the new coordinates are computed at block 34 and stored
`in memory at block 338. Although updating the GPS coor-
`10 dinates may take place on a non-interrupt basis, the received
`coordinates would have to be maintained in a buffer until
`servicing, potentially adding additional, unnecessary hard(cid:173)
`ware.
`Next, in a preferred embodiment, the controller next
`inputs signals received from time-based sensors, if updates
`are warranted in response to block 340. If so, such inputs,
`which include vehicle speed, crank rate, the cyclist's heart
`rate, and so forth are decoded at block 342 and stored in
`memory of block 346. Again, these being time-based inputs,
`they are preferably received in the form of an interrupt to
`avoid unnecessary buffering. Although, in certain cases, one
`or more of these signals may be missed, for example, in the
`event of a contemporaneously received GPS input, the
`system can easily extrapolate through the missing inputs and
`25 catch up on an accurate rate and readout, and store infor(cid:173)
`mation representative of the missed signals in the memory
`for later display and analysis on the personal computer.
`At block 350, less time-critical sensors are simply
`scanned by the controller. These include internal electronic
`compass heading, weather sensors and so forth, which do
`not change on a time-critical or even periodic basis. Thus, in
`these cases, the sensors are simply scanned after time(cid:173)
`critical interrupts are first serviced. At block 360, the least
`critical function takes places, that is, the display is updated
`35 by refreshing from memory the data to be displayed in
`accordance with the mode selected. In other words, a portion
`of the memory 226 may be set aside and utilized as a buffer
`for the display 110. After updating the display at block 360,
`the software loops back to the mode-selection inquiry at
`40 block 310, and the various routines are repeated, or skipped,
`in accordance with mode and the existence of various inputs.
`Now making reference to FIG. 4, there is shown generally
`at 402, the situation wherein the computer 104 has been
`removed from its holster 105 and connected to a personal
`45 computer 420 through an interface cable 410 designed for
`this purpose. Another cable, 406, is preferably interfaced to
`the computer 104 to provide power during the downloading
`process which will now be described, and to recharge the
`batteries internal to the unit 104. As mentioned, although in
`50 the following discussion the entire computer 104 has been
`removed in interface to the personal computer 420, in an
`alternative embodiment, the unit 104 may remain attached to
`the bicycle, with a card being removed therefrom having
`ride parameters stored thereon, inserted into or in some way
`55 interfaced to the personal computer 420. As just one
`example, the so-called PCM CIA cards may be utilized for
`such a purpose.
`In any event, with the contents of the computer 104 being
`interfaced to the personal computer 420, an application
`60 program according to the invention may be loaded into the
`computer 420, through a diskette port 423, for example,
`enabling the route taken by a particular ride to be displayed
`as a plot 438, preferably superimposed over a map 432 on
`the display 426 of the PC 420. Although the invention may
`65 be used without such map data, for example, by simply
`listing ride characteristics as a function of geographical
`positioning, the inclusion of maps for superposition of the
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`6,002,982
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`30
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`35
`
`7
`ride and characteristics as described below, provides for a
`much more exciting and user-friendly interface. Such map
`data are becoming increasingly available for a variety of
`useful applications, and may conveniently be input to the
`system via CD-ROM port 432, containing the appropriate 5
`map data.
`Although ride characteristics may be displayed in a num(cid:173)
`ber of ways, in the preferred embodiment, pop-up menus
`444 appear in response to an operator clicking with a
`pointing device 450 on a point of the path 438. Preferably,
`such menus 444 contain the information present at that point 10
`along the ride, including detailed geographical information,
`along with altitude, plus any other bicycle operation, cyclist
`physiological or external condition sensing that took place at
`that point or the point closest to that selected by the user.
`As an alternative to the map-based display shown on the 15
`display screen in FIG. 4, if altitude information is available,
`it may be more elucidating to plot altitude along with other
`ride characteristics, particularly if the cyclist is more inter(cid:173)
`ested in improving his or her technique than seeing where
`they went. In other words, by plotting altitude and connect(cid:173)
`ing the various points to show ride incline, and by plotting 20
`in a concurrent, synchronized manner the cyclist's heart rate,
`speed, gear ratio, and so forth, it may be easy to see how hard
`the cyclist was working as a function of incline, when and
`if the correct gears were being used, and so forth. It will be
`apparent to one of skill that other display modes are also 25
`possible according to the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A sports activity monitor adapted for use with a
`computer equipped with a display device, comprising:
`a mobile recording unit adapted to travel with a user
`engaged in a sports activity, the unit including:
`a sensor for detecting a quantity which varies as a
`function of the activity;
`a global positioning ( GPS) satellite receiver,
`a memory, and
`a controller connected to the sensor, the GPS receiver,
`and the memory, the controller being operative to
`perform the following functions:
`(a) receive a signal from the GPS receiver relating to
`the geographical position of the user while 40
`engaged in the sports activity,
`(b) store the geographical position information in the
`memory, and
`(c) receive a signal from the sensor and store infor(cid:173)
`mation relating to the quantity in the memory; and 45
`an interface between the mobile recording unit and the
`computer, enabling the computer to access the contents
`of the memory and display the information relating to
`the quantity as a function of the geographical position
`of the user while engaged in the sports activity.
`2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor detects the
`speed of the user while engaged in the sports activity.
`3. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal from the GPS
`receiver includes altitude information, enabling the com(cid:173)
`puter to display the altitude of the user while engaged in the 55
`sports activity.
`4. The system of claim 1, further including a sensor
`outputting a signal carrying information relating to the
`physiology of the user while engaged in the sports activity.
`5. The system of claim 4, wherein the information
`includes the user's heart rate.
`6. The system of claim 1, further including an electronic
`compass, enabling the user's direction to be displayed on the
`computer.
`7. The system of claim 1, further including a sensor
`outputting a signal relating to a weather condition, enabling 65
`the mobile unit to determine and store weather condition
`information for display on the computer.
`
`8
`8. The system of claim 7, wherein the weather condition
`is temperature.
`9. The system of claim 7, wherein the weather condition
`is wind speed.
`10. The system of claim 7, wherein the weather condition
`is wind direction.
`11. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile unit
`includes
`removable non-volatile memory module, enabling the
`module to be located proximate to the computer for
`access through the interface.
`12. The system of claim 1, further including an applica(cid:173)
`tion software program resident on the computer enabling the
`computer to display the route taken by the user while
`engaged in the sports activity.
`13. The system of claim 12, wherein the computer is
`further capable of receiving and displaying graphical map
`data, and wherein:
`the software program further enables the computer to
`display the route in conjunction with the graphical map
`data.
`14. The system of claim 1, wherein the user is a cyclist,
`and wherein the mobile unit is mounted to the user's bicycle.
`15. The system of claim 14, wherein the quantity is the
`speed of the bicycle.
`16. The system of claim 14, further including a sensor for
`determining the bicycle's crank speed, enabling cadence
`information to be displayed on the computer.
`17. The system of claim 14, further including a sensor for
`determining the bicycle's crank speed, enabling gear ratio to
`be displayed on the computer.
`18. Apparatus for reviewing a route taken by an individual
`engaged in a sports-related activity, comprising:
`means for determining the speed of the individual while
`engaged in the activity;
`a global positioning (GPS) satellite receiver for determin(cid:173)
`ing the location of the individual while engaged in the
`activity;
`a memory for storing the speed and the location of the
`individual at various points along the route; and
`a display for displaying the speed and the location of the
`individual along the route,
`wherein the means for determining the speed of the
`individual, the GPS receiver, and the memory are
`carried by the individual during the activity; and
`the display forms part of a computer which is not
`carried by the individual, but which includes an
`interface for receiving the stored speed and the
`location of the individual from the memory.
`19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the sports-related
`50 activity is bicycle ridi