throbber
(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`( 43) International Publication Date
`4 January 2001 (04.01.2001)
`
`PCT
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 01/00281 A2
`
`(51) International Patent Classification7:
`
`A63B
`
`(21) International Application Number: PCT/US00/18080
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`29 June 2000 (29.06.2000)
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`601141,484
`09/398,157
`
`29 June 1999 (29.06.1999) US
`16 September 1999 (16.09.1999) US
`
`(81) Designated States (national!: AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU,
`AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ,
`DE, DK, DM, DZ, EE, ES, Fl, 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, PL, PT, RO, RU, SO, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM,
`TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW.
`
`(84) Designated States (regional): ARIPO patent (GH, GM,
`KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, 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), OAPI patent (BF, BJ, CF, CG,
`Cl, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`(71) Applicant: TRAKUS, INC. [US/US]; Suite 112, 35 Med(cid:173)
`ford Street, Somerville, MA 02143 (US).
`
`Published:
`Without international search report and to be republished
`upon receipt of that report.
`
`(72) Inventors: WAD ELL, Brian, C.; 73 Mount Vernon Street,
`Reading, MA 01867 (US). SPITZ, Eric; Apartment 24,
`269 Harvard Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 (US). KATZ,
`David, J.; 2602 Village Road West, Norwood, MA 02062
`(US).
`
`(74) Agent: GTANNETTA, Michael, J.; Testa, Hurwitz &
`Thibeault, LLP, High Street Tower, 125 High Street,
`Boston, MA 02110 (US).
`
`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid(cid:173)
`ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations" appearing at the begin(cid:173)
`ning of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette.
`
`--
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`~
`oo----------------------------------------------------------------
`M (54) Title: PERFORMANCE MONITORING SYSTEM
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`= = -.. (57) Abstract: The invention, in one embodiment, is directed to a performance measurement system comprising a first player-
`~ mounted device and a first field-positioned device. The first player-mounted device includes sensors adapted for automatically col-
`lecting sensor information from the first player, and a player transceiver adapted to wirelessly transmit and receive information. The
`0 first field-positioned device is adapted to be located in a first stationary position and includes, a field transceiver adapted to receive at
`> least one of the first player sensor data and the performance parameters, and to transmit at least one of the performance parameters
`~ and messages to the first player-mounted device. In other embodiments, the system includes display devices and a central processor.
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`PERFORMANCE MONITORING SYSTEM
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`Field of the Invention
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`The invention relates generally to the field of performance monitoring. More
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`specifically, the invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring player
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`5
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`performance in sporting events and recreational activities.
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`Reference to Related Applications
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`This application claims priority to provisional U.S. patent application 60/141,484,
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`filed on June 29, 1999. This application is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent
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`application 09/027,430, filed on February 20, 1998, which itself claims priority to
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`10
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`provisional U.S. patent application number 60/039,182, filed on February 27, 1997. This
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`application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application 09/398,157, filed on
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`September 16, 1999, which itself claims priority to provisional U.S. patent application
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`number 60/100,716, filed on September 17, 1998. The entire disclosure of each of the
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`above referenced applications is hereby incorporated by reference.
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`15
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`Background of the Invention
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`Devices such as timers are used to measure player performance in various
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`sporting events. For example, runners use timers to measure their performance against
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`previous performances, targeted or expected performance, and against other runners.
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`Small digital timers are available which include the functionality of a stopwatch, as well
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`20
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`as more advanced functions. Some of these advanced functions included measuring split
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`times as well as elapsed time, displaying the time of day, providing a basic calculator,
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`and providing alarm functions. Generally, these digital timers are embodied in a
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`wristwatch worn by the player. To time an event, the player typically depresses
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`protruding buttons on the watch. For example, to start the timer, the player depresses one
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`button. To stop the timer or record a split, the player depresses the same or another
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`button. The user typically physically depresses buttons on the watch for the timer to
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`function. This can lead to inaccurate time reporting since the player may depress a button
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`too early or too late. Also, although the timers optionally show split times, the data is of
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`limited usefulness. For example, no data relating to other players is available for display.
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`Furthermore, typically, the functions of the digital timer are performed locally, and there
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`is no remote access to the timer.
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`Advances in digital electronics have made it possible to design small advanced
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`circuits, such as data storage cameras, phones, MP3 players, and computers that are
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`1 o
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`embedded in digital wrist watches. Data storage circuits have been used, for example to
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`store names, addresses, and telephone numbers. Other technological advances have
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`provided wrist-worn heart rate monitors and global positioning system (GPS) receivers.
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`GPS receivers track and display a player's position. However, that data is typically only
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`available locally to the player. Also, conventional GPS tracking systems fail to track
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`performance data automatically. Limited range two-way radios are available that can be
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`worn on a player's arm. Recently, wireless telephones have been introduced that are also
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`small enough to be worn by a player. These devices also fail to monitor player
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`performance parameters.
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`Other advances include passive devices that identify runners or marathoners as
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`20
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`they pass over active mats located throughout the course. Some of these devices are
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`typically worn on the shoe and are detected by the mat as long as the device passes over
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`the mat. This range is typically about one meter. One such device, also referred to as a
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`tag, is used to time marathoners at different locations along a marathon route. A central
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`computer individually identifies each tag. That identification is cross-referenced to the
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`individual marathoner. Although useful by supporters to track the marathoner's position,
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`this device fails to offer the individual marathoner any feedback regarding his
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`performance, position in the race, or pulse rate, for example. Accordingly an object of the
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`invention is to provide an improved player performance monitoring system that addresses
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`deficiencies in conventional systems.
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`Summary ofthe Invention
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`PCT /US00/18080
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`Briefly, the invention is directed to a performance measuring system. In one
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`embodiment the system of the invention includes player-mounted devices and a plurality
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`of field-positioned devices that feed a central processor and data access or display
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`devices. According to a further embodiment, the performance measuring system
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`monitors the performance of virtually any participant in any type of sporting or
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`recreational activity. Illustratively, according to a preferred embodiment, the system may
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`be used to monitor the performance of people, animals or even vehicles (generally
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`referred to as "players" or "track objects"). By way of example, monitored activities may
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`10
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`include, running, skiing, swimming, baseball, hiking, sailing, rowing, basketball, hockey,
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`ice skating, roller skating, skateboarding, soccer, football, tennis, boxing, martial arts,
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`motor sports, horse racing, dog racing, track and field events, racquetball, squash,
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`badminton, volleyball, tug-of-war, weight lifting, bodybuilding, paddleball, handball, and
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`the like. In another example, the system is used to monitor a child's activity or position.
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`15 Alternatively, the system is used to monitor a child's heart rate or other vital signs.
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`The player-mounted device contains circuitry that uniquely identifies the instance
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`of the player-mounted device and storage for the user's identification. Circuitry provides
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`for keeping track of time, measuring, storing and processing parameters, and circuitry to
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`transmit and receive data between the device and the outside world. According to one
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`20
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`embodiment, the player-mounted device includes sensors, a transceiver, an antenna, a
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`processor, and a display.
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`A player-mounted device may be mounted in a variety of manners. By way of
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`example, it can be mounted to a player's torso, head, neck, arm or leg. It may also be
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`mounted to player apparel, such as a shirt, pants, glove, helmet, saddle, shoe, or the like.
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`It may also be mounted to equipment, such as a goal, stick, racket, bat, ski, ski board, surf
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`board, ice skate, roller skate, skateboard, puck, ball, or the like. It may also be mounted
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`to a vehicle, such as a bicycle, motorcycle, car, airplane, boat, personal watercraft,
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`snowmobile, or the like.
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`The sensors can be, for example, pulse rate sensors, blood pressure monitors,
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`glucose monitors and accelerometers. Thus, each player-mounted device can monitor a
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`variety of performance parameters ofthe player to which it is mounted. Parameters may
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`include for example, heart rate, blood pressure, glucose level, speed, direction,
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`acceleration, rotation, force of impact, elapsed time, split time, hang time in the air,
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`ranking in a competition, position on a course, and the like. The data acquisition sensors
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`collect some of the raw data needed to measure performance parameters. The player(cid:173)
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`mounted device collects other raw data by interacting with the field-positioned devices to
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`track the time that it takes to travel between various field-positioned devices. In some
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`I o
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`embodiments, the player processor processes the raw data to determine the performance
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`parameters for the player. In other embodiments, the field-positioned devices perform
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`the processing of the raw data. As a player comes within communication range of a
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`field-positioned device, the player transceiver wirelessly transmits either the raw data, the
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`performance parameters, or some combination of each to the field-positioned device by
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`15 way of the player antenna. According to one feature, the field-positioned device
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`transmits the processed performance data back to one or more of the player-mounted
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`devices. According to one aspect, the player display displays selected performance
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`parameters of the player to which the device is mounted. According to another aspect,
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`the player display displays selected performance parameters of other players. The
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`20
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`displayed parameters may either be received from the field-positioned devices or derived
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`internally. According to another feature, the player-mounted device may include a
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`control/data input mechanism, such as a miniature keypad or one or more pushbuttons.
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`Optionally, the player can enter initial conditions, change the information displayed,
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`and/or request additional performance parameters from the field-positioned devices.
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`25
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`Each player-mounted device can be programmed with a unique identification code, which
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`can be transmitted to the field-positioned devices, so that the field-positioned devices can
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`correlate each player-mounted device with a particular player and also identify from
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`which player-mounted device it is receiving data.
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`Player-mounted device preferences and settings are programmed wirelessly
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`30
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`through the data interface. Parameters such as race category (e.g., Masters) are stored in
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`the watch. Also, the users' preferences for the watch alarms, time of day, messaging, etc.
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`are programmed remotely through this interface. In another embodiment, the users'
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`preferences are programmed locally in the player-mounted device. In yet another
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`embodiment, the programming is done via an optional interface port on the player(cid:173)
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`mounted device.
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`5
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`The field-positioned devices are located proximate to the area of the activity being
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`monitored. These devices are used as fixed position references, to receive data from the
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`player-mounted devices, and to send data including setup information, time of day,
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`messages, and race rank to the player-mounted devices. The field-positioned devices also
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`collect data from the central processor reflecting activity at other field-positioned devices
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`10
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`and messages that need to be sent. By way of example, the field-positioned devices may
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`be located, for example, along the perimeter of a playing field, course, track, court, pool,
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`arena, or the like. As skilled artisans will appreciate, the number of field-positioned
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`devices depends at least in part on the size of the area ofthe activity.
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`Typically, the field-positioned device will transmit the time and other information
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`to the player-mounted device which will then calculate its split and position in the race.
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`The field-positioned devices operate autonomously and are typically administered
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`remotely and therefore do not require a user interface (keyboard, mouse, and display).
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`According to a further embodiment, the field-positioned devices include a processor,
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`transceiver, antenna, display, keyboard/mouse, and memory. The transceiver enables the
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`20
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`field-positioned device to wirelessly communicate with the player-mounted devices.
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`Optionally, the field-positioned devices also wirelessly communicate with the central
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`processor to synchronize timing signals and share player performance information.
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`Communication from the field-positioned device to the central processor can occur with
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`any of a variety of standard techniques used to communicate data among computers:
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`25
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`Ethernet, IEEE 802.11 WLAN, fiber optics, IRDA, parallel and serial data, etc.
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`According to a further feature, the field-positioned devices may also include a
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`global positioning satellite system (GPS) receiver to establish a common timing signal
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`between the field-positioned devices. The GPS receiver may also be used to establish the
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`precise position of the field-positioned devices.
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`According to another feature, the field-positioned devices include a wired or
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`wireless communication link to the Internet so that the performance measurement system
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`of the invention can post performance information, for either interested or paying parties,
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`at a Web site. With such an Internet connection, the field-positioned devices can also
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`relay communications received from the Internet to one or more of the player-mounted
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`devices. Typically, administrator functions are accomplished remotely via the network
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`connection from a central location.
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`In one preferred embodiment, a display is available for displaying performance
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`information to event spectators, such as coaches, athletes, scouts, officials, or anyone
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`observing the event, in substantially real-time. According to another feature, the field(cid:173)
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`positioned devices may include a user keyboard and display to enable fans to interact
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`with the system and data or for a system administrator to configure and monitor the
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`operation of each field-positioned device.
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`In some embodiments, the player positioning system includes a central processor,
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`which may be used to configure the performance monitoring system, monitor its health,
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`interface with data access and display devices, and to perform some or all of the
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`processing of the data from the player-mounted devices. In one embodiment, the central
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`processor assigns unique identification codes to each of the player-mounted devices.
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`According to another embodiment, the player-mounted devices supply the central
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`processor with their unique identification codes. Either way, the unique identification
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`codes may be used to avoid communication collisions when the field-positioned devices
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`communicate with the player-mounted devices.
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`According to a further feature, the field-positioned devices are in direct wireless
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`communication with the central processor. Thus, the central processor can provide the
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`25
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`field-positioned devices with unique identification codes of the player-mounted devices.
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`Alternatively, the field-positioned devices can assign or collect the player-mounted
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`device unique identification codes, and provide those codes to the central processor.
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`According to another feature, the field-positioned devices use the wireless connection
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`with the central processor to pass the raw data to the central processor. The central
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`processor processes the raw data and passes processed performance parameters back to
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`the field-positioned devices. In some embodiments, the functionality of the central
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`processor is incorporated into one or more of the field-positioned devices.
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`According to another embodiment, the performance monitoring system of the
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`invention includes an Internet Web server computer, and the central processor includes
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`an Internet connection for communicating with the Web server computer. Such
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`communications may include providing performance parameters to the Web server
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`computer and/or relaying messages between Internet users and the players by way of the
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`field-positioned devices. By connecting to the Web server, interested or paying parties
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`1 o
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`can gain access, download and print the performance parameters. The Web server
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`computer can also make the performance parameters available to the players at the end of
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`the monitored activity. According to another feature, the Web server enables players to
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`register for particular activities by way of an Internet connection.
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`During setup the central processor or devices connected to it are used to transfer
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`15
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`athlete preferences and race-specific setup information into the player-mounted device.
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`According to one preferred embodiment, the data collected by the system from the
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`players can be accessed by a variety of client devices for entertainment, training, or
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`informational purposes. Such devices connect to the central processor to obtain data and
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`present the data, for example, in the form of an Internet Web page, a television graphic,
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`an interactive television feed to the home, a video game, or the like. These clients can
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`also send data back to the central processor for forwarding to the player in the area of the
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`activity. For example, a user at home might locate a friend running a marathon from a
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`Web browser and then send an encouraging message to his/her player-mounted device.
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`As skilled artisans will appreciate, the invention also provides associated methods
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`for the performing functions of the above briefly described performance monitoring
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`system. Other features of the invention are discussed below in relation to the illustrative
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`drawings.
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`Brief Description of the Drawings
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`Figure 1 is a conceptual block diagram depicting exemplary components of an
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`illustrative performance monitoring system according to the invention;
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`Figure 2A is a conceptual diagram of one illustrative application of the
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`performance monitoring system of Figure 1;
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`Figure 2B is a conceptual diagram of another illustrative application of the
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`performance monitoring system of Figure 1;
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`Figure 2C is a conceptual diagram of another illustrative application of the
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`performance monitoring system ofFigure 1;
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`10
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`Figure 3 is a block diagram of an illustrative player-mounted device of the type
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`employed in the performance monitoring system of Figure 1;
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`Figure 4A depicts an illustrative physical embodiment of the player-mounted
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`device of Figure 3;
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`Figure 4B depicts an illustrative display portion of the player-mounted device of
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`15
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`Figure 3;
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`Figure 4C depicts another illustrative display portion of the player-mounted
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`device of Figure 3;
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`Figure 5 is a block diagram of an illustrative field-positioned device of the type
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`employed in the performance monitoring system of Figure 1; and
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`20
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`Figure 6 is a block diagram of an illustrative central processor of the type
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`optionally employed in the performance monitoring system of Figure 1.
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`Description of the Illustrative Embodiment
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`Figure 1 depicts a simplified block diagram of a performance measurement
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`system 1 00 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The illustrative
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`performance measurement system 100 includes a player-mounted device 102, and a field(cid:173)
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`positioned device 104. In an optional embodiment, the system further includes a central
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`processor 106. The central processor 106, in an alternate embodiment, is integrated
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`within the field-positioned device 104. Alternatively, the central processor 106 is further
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`5
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`coupled to a network 105. The network 105 may be connected to various network
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`devices including, a Web server 107, a Web client 109, a video game client 111, a
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`wireless client 113, and a TV client 115. As described briefly above, the performance
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`measurement system 1 00 can monitor the performance of people, animals or even
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`vehicles (generally referred to as "players" or "track objects") in virtually any type of
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`sporting or recreational activity.
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`In operation, the player-mounted device 102 mounts in any number ofways to a
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`player, and collects raw data related to the player's performance and position. In the
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`preferred embodiment, the player-mounted device 1 02 processes the raw collected data
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`prior to transmission. This processing may include, for example, formatting the data for
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`15
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`transmission, error-checking, or compressing the data. The field-positioned devices 104
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`are located proximate to and around or along the course of the sporting or recreational
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`activity. In the preferred embodiment, the player-mounted device 102 receives time of
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`day messages from field-positioned devices 104 and uses these to calculate splits and
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`position in the race. The player-mounted device 102 receives setup and control messages
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`20
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`by the same means. In the preferred embodiment the player-mounted device 102
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`additionally processes and packages identification code, sensor measurements, and other
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`data and transmits it to a proximate field-positioned device 104. In another embodiment,
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`the field-positioned device 104 acquires data including timing and position data related to
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`a player or players.
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`In another illustrative operation, the player-mounted device 102 transmits raw
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`data to the nearest field-positioned device 104. In alternative operation, the field(cid:173)
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`positioned device 1 04 processes the raw data to determine performance parameters and
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`then transmits the performance parameters to the player-mounted device 1 02, or
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`alternatively, to another field-positioned device 104. In another embodiment, the player-
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`30 mounted device 102 preprocesses raw data before transmission. The preprocessing can
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`include, for example, data error correction, data formatting, data compression and the
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`like. For example, the field-positioned device can hold advanced receiver, signal
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`processing capabilities, and the more power hungry circuitry required to multilaterate the
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`player-mounted device 102.
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`5
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`In response to receiving performance parameters, the field-positioned device can
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`display select performance parameters for spectator viewing. The field-positioned device
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`104 can also transmit the performance parameters to the optional central processor 106.
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`The central processor 106 optionally displays the performance parameters. Alternatively,
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`the central processor 106 routes the data to the network 105. In illustrative embodiments,
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`1 o
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`the network 1 05 is an Ethernet in a local area network or a wide area network. Optional
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`network devices may be coupled to the network 105.
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`In response to receiving raw or preprocessed data, the field-positioned device 1 04
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`processes the data into performance parameters for storage, display, or analysis.
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`Alternatively, the field-positioned device 104 displays selected parameters for spectator
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`15
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`viewing and transmits at least some of the performance parameters back to one or more
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`of the player-mounted devices 102. Alternatively, the field-positioned device 104
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`transmits the raw or preprocessed data to the central processor 106, which processes the
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`data to determine the various performance parameters. The central processor 1 06
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`transmits the performance to one or more of the field-positioned devices 104 and/or one
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`20
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`or more of the player-mounted devices 102.
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`In the illustrative embodiment, player-mounted device 102 passes a first field(cid:173)
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`positioned device 104. The field-positioned device 104 updates or refreshes the internal
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`clock of player-mounted device 102. Additionally, the first field-positioned device 104
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`records the time the player-mounted device 1 02 reached it. The first field-positioned
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`device 104 transmits that recorded time to the central processor 106. In one embodiment,
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`the central processor knows the location of the first field-positioned device 104. In
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`another embodiment, the first field-positioned device transmits location data to the
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`central processor 106. The player-mounted device 102 then passes a second field(cid:173)
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`positioned device 104. The second field-positioned device 104 updates or refreshes the
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`internal clock of player-mounted device 102. Additionally, the second field-positioned
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`device 104 records the time the player-mounted device 102 reached it. The second field(cid:173)
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`positioned device 1 04 transmits that recorded time to the central processor 1 06. In one
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`embodiment, the central processor 106 knows the location of the second field-positioned
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`5
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`device 104. In another embodiment, the second field-positioned device 104 transmits
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`location data to the central processor 106. The central processor 106 then calculates the
`
`time elapsed between the player reaching the first field-positioned device 104 and the
`
`player reaching the second field-positioned device 104. The central processor 106
`
`transmits the calculated data to the second field-positioned device 104. The second field-
`
`1 o
`
`positioned device 104 transmits the calculated data to the player-mounted device 102.
`
`In further operation, and as discussed in more detail below, the central processor
`
`106 also provides the performance parameters to the network 105. The network 105 is
`
`optionally coupled to network devices. The network devices include, for example, a Web
`
`server 107. Another network device includes a Web client 109. A Web client 109
`
`15
`
`includes a computer with an Internet navigation program. Still another network device
`
`includes a video game client Ill. The video game client Ill may include, for example, a
`
`computer-based client, a video game console, a portable video game, or a handheld video
`
`game. Yet another network device includes a wireless client 113. The wireless client
`
`113 may include, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless telephone, a
`
`20
`
`pager, or a two-way pager. Another network device includes a TV client 115. The TV
`
`client 115 includes, for example, enhanced TV, Web TV, or interactive TV.
`
`Additionally, a television broadcast company, such as a television network, could
`
`optionally download and broadcast performance data. Further clients may include, for
`
`example, a scoreboard indicator, a scoreboard graphical display, a printer, or the like.
`
`25
`
`Operation of the system 100 is discussed in further detail below.
`
`Figure 2A illustrates a conceptual diagram of the performance monitoring system
`
`200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system 200 includes at
`
`least one player-mounted device 202. In one embodiment, the player-mounted device
`
`202 is worn on the wrist of the player 216. In another embodiment, a device 202'
`
`30
`
`comprising a transceiver is worn on the shoe or foot of the player 216. The player-
`
`- 11 -
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`UA-1003.012
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`

`

`wo 01100281
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`PCT /US00/18080
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`mounted device 202 comprises the transceiver circuitry as well as a visual display for
`
`viewing data. In an alternate embodiment, the player-mounted device 202 includes audio
`
`circuitry for generating sound. An audio transducer (beeper), earphones or a built-in
`
`speaker relay the sound data to the user. The sound data may be in the form of tones,
`
`5
`
`spoken language or music, for example.
`
`Figure 2A-2C also depicts various media 201 in which the event or activity is
`
`taking place. In alternative embodiments, the media 201, for example, is a field, a road, a
`
`track, a body of water, a ski slope, a desert, a forest, a wilderness, a beach, or the like.
`
`The performance monitoring system 200 further includes field-positioned devices 206
`
`10
`
`placed at various locations around or along the medium 201. In another embodiment, the
`
`field-positioned devices 206 are known as tower transceivers (TTs). The field-positioned
`
`devices 206 include transceiver circuitry as well as a processor and memory for data
`
`storage, manipulation and forwarding. In another embodiment, the field-positioned
`
`devices 206 include a display 212 adapted for viewing by the player 216. The display
`
`15
`
`212, in one embodiment, is a large screen display as is commonly used for scoring at
`
`events. In another embodiment, supporters can send messages to the player via the
`
`network 105 (e.g., from the Internet). The player 216 views the messages, along with her
`
`performance data, as she passes the display 212 or on the player-mounted device 202.
`
`In one embodiment, the field-positioned devices 206 are located at regular
`
`20
`
`intervals along the medium 201. In another embodiment, the field-positioned devices
`
`206 are located at uneven intervals along the medium 201. In yet another embodiment,
`
`the field-positioned device 206 includes a sensor strip 204 located on the medium 201.
`
`The players 216 pass over the sensor strip 204 during the event. When the players 216
`
`with a player-mounted device 202 come within range of a field-positioned device 206,
`
`25
`
`data is transmitted between the player-mounted device 202 and the field-positioned
`
`device 206. In another embodiment, the field-positioned device 206 includes an antenna
`
`208 for transmitting and receiving data. In yet another embodiment, the field-positioned
`
`device 206 is a fixed transceiver 214. The tower transceiver 214 is substantially a
`
`permanent fixture including a transceiver, an antenna 208, and a connection to the
`
`30
`
`network 105 ofFigure 1.
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`- 12-
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`wo 01/00281
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`The signal transmitted by the player-mounted device 202 to the field-positioned
`
`device 206 includes a unique identifier of the player-mounted device 202, identification
`
`of the player 216 and his race category, splits, and measured parameters such as x,y,z
`
`location, heart rate, blood pressure, ambient temperature, arm speed, or bat speed, for
`
`5
`
`example. The data transmitted by the field-positioned device 206 to the player-mounted
`
`device 202 includes time of day, elapsed time, runners that have passed already, interval
`
`or split time, pace, distance traveled, distance left in event, calories burned, distance to
`
`next refreshment, and position in race, for example.
`
`In another embodiment, the field-positioned device 206 is mounte

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