Wireless device, program products and methods of using a wireless device to deliver services

[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/169,863, filed on Jun. 29, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,480,512 and entitled “Wireless Device, Program Products and Methods of Using a Wireless Device to Deliver Services”, which is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/759,289 filed on Jan. 16, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,292,867 and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/584,300 filed on Jun. 30, 2004. These applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates in general to wireless communication and, in particular, to the use of a wireless device to deliver services.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] As Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has matured, location-aware electronics have been integrated into a number of different mobile platforms, such as automobiles, mobile telephones, two-way radios, and hand-held GPS receivers, in order to provide location information. Location awareness supports the provision of various location-based services.

[0006] Portable and/or wireless electronic devices have also been developed or adapted for use in various commercial, personal or leisure activities to assist people in performing the activity and/or to enhance the enjoyment and/or efficiency of the activity. Such electronic devices may or may not be GPS-enabled.

[0007] In at least one embodiment, a plurality of raw time-stamped waypoints describing a geographical route are received. The plurality of raw time-stamped waypoints are filtered based upon at least one of a set including a threshold distance between pairs of the plurality of raw time-stamped waypoints and a velocity indicated by pairs of the plurality of raw time-stamped waypoints. A smoothed route is generated by modifying at least some of the filtered plurality of raw time-stamped waypoints. The smoothed route is stored in data storage.

[0041] With reference now to the figures, and in particular with reference to FIG. 1, there is depicted an exemplary embodiment of an environment in which the methods, systems, and program products of the present invention may advantageously be practiced. In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates an environment 10 in which a location-aware portable fitness device 12 is utilized by an athlete 14 while engaged in a fitness activity, such as running, cycling, hiking, climbing, skiing, etc.

[0042] As shown, environment 10 includes a constellation of earth-orbiting global positioning system (GPS) satellites 20. As is known in the art, GPS satellites 20 continuously emit GPS signals 22, which enable GPS-equipped devices, such as portable fitness device 12, to continuously determine their position, velocity, bearing and elevation as long as a sufficient number of GPS satellites 20 can be acquired.

[0043] Environment 10 further includes a wireless wide-area network (WAN) communication system including a plurality of geographically distributed communication towers 30 and base station systems (BSS) 32 (only one of each is illustrated for simplicity). Communication tower 30 includes one or more antennae 34 supporting long range two-way radio frequency communication wireless devices, such as portable fitness device 12. The radio frequency communication between antennae 34 and portable fitness device 12 may utilize radio frequency signals 36 conforming to any known or future developed wireless protocol, for example, CDMA, GSM, EDGE, 3G, IEEE 802.x (e.g., IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX)), etc. The information transmitted over-the-air by BSS 32 and cellular communication tower 30 to portable fitness device 12 may be further transmitted to or received from one or more additional circuit-switched or packet-switched communication networks, including, for example, the Internet 40.

[0044] As is well known to those skilled in the art, Internet 40 is a worldwide collection of servers, routers, switches and transmission lines that employ the Internet Protocol (IP) to communicate data. For example, Internet 40 may be employed to communicate data between any of server computer system 42, client computer system 44, and portable fitness device 12. For example, as described further below, Internet 40 may be utilized to communicate to portable fitness device 12 route information from a route database 52 stored within data storage 50 associated with server computer system 42. Similarly, portable fitness device 12 may transmit route and performance information to server computer system 42 for storage in training journal database 54 via Internet 40, BSS 32, and communication tower 30. In addition, a user stationed at a remote client computer system 44, for example, athlete 14, a remote trainer or other user, may access real-time or historical performance information regarding the training of athlete 14 via server computer system 42 and Internet 40.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 2A, there is illustrated a high-level block diagram of an exemplary implementation of portable training device 12 in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, portable training device 12 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 60 that controls the operation of portable fitness device 12 in accordance with client software 154 described further below with respect to FIG. 2B. As shown, CPU 60 is coupled, either directly or indirectly, to a variety of different components within portable fitness device 12. For example, portable fitness device 12 includes an internal memory device 62 for storing the client software, as well as various route, performance and environmental information regarding a training activity of athlete 14. The storage provided by internal memory device 62 may be further augmented by a removable storage medium inserted within removable memory slot 64 and/or dedicated audio storage 66 for storing audio data. The audio data may include, for example, music tracks encoded in MP3 format, synthesized human speech tracks, voice annotations by athlete 14 recorded via an internal or external microphone 68, as well as other audio data.

[0046] In addition to microphone 68, portable fitness device 12 may include a number of other input/output (I/O) devices. For example, portable fitness device 12 may include one or more manually manipulable input buttons 80 that permit athlete 14 to start and stop recording of GPS data, annotate a route while athlete 14 is traversing the route, and/or to enter desired settings of portable fitness device 12. Portable fitness device 12 may also include a speaker 82 and display 84 through which portable fitness device 12 may present real-time performance information (e.g., elapsed distance, elapsed time, pace, distance to go, heart rate, etc.), turn-by-turn directions, real-time remote training recommendations, maps, and other information in audio and/or visual format.

[0047] Portable fitness device 12 is equipped with a power supply 90 that powers CPU 60 and the other components of portable fitness device 12. Power supply 90 includes a battery and may further have an associated power port 92 through which the battery may be charged from an AC power source. Alternatively, the battery within power supply 90 may be charged utilizing a wireless inductive charging device, as is known in the art.

[0048] Portable fitness device 12 further includes a GPS receiver 100 and associated GPS antenna 102 that receive GPS signals 22 from GPS satellites 20. GPS receiver 100 processes GPS signals 22 to present to CPU 60 time-stamped waypoints, which include at least a time, a latitude, and a longitude. If at least four GPS satellites 20 have been acquired, the time-stamped waypoints presented to CPU 60 by GPS receiver 100 preferably further include an elevation. As discussed further below, the time and position information supplied by GPS receiver 100 is utilized by client software 154 running on CPU 60 to build a record of a route traversed by athlete 14 and to determine performance information (e.g., elapsed distance, elapsed time, pace, distance to go, heart rate, etc.) regarding the athlete's traversal of the route.

[0049] Portable training device 12 supports two-way wireless WAN communication with communication tower 30 with WAN transceiver 104 and its associated antenna 106. As known to those skilled in the art, WAN transceiver 104 includes a receiver for receiving radio frequency signals 36 and a transmitter for transmitting radio frequency signals 36. As discussed in greater detail below, radio frequency signals 36 may include route information transmitted to portable fitness device 12, route and performance information transmitted from portable fitness device 12, settings for portable fitness device 12, and one or two-way voice communication (e.g., a voice conversation between athlete 14 and a remote trainer stationed at remote client computer 44). The data sent and received by WAN transceiver 104 may alternatively be communicated via an optional data port 108, which may employ short range wired or wireless communication (e.g., RS-232 or infrared).

[0050] In order to support communication with other electronics within close range, portable fitness device 12 may be further equipped with one or more local wireless interface(s) 110 and associated antennae 112. For example, local wireless interface(s) may include interfaces for 802.11x, Bluetooth, 900 mHz communication or the like. Utilizing such technologies, portable fitness device 12 may communicate with or sense data from a heart rate monitor 120, headphones 122, shoes 124, and a watch 126 worn by athlete 14 during a fitness activity. In this manner, portable fitness device 12 may gather information regarding athlete 14, such as his/her heart rate and body temperature, and if the athlete's shoes 124 are equipped with an RFID tag, the shoes 124 worn during the fitness activity. Portable fitness device 12 may similarly present to the user performance, directional and training information via watch 126 and headphones 122.

[0051] Of course, in alternative embodiments, portable fitness device 12 may sense or communicate with particular devices utilizing wired or wireless interfaces. For example, microphone 68 may alternatively be incorporated within wireless headphones 122, and heart rate monitor 120 may alternatively be coupled to CPU 60 via a wired interface. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate from the block diagram provided in FIG. 2A, that any number of internal or external devices and sensors, such as temperature and barometric pressure sensor 130, may be coupled to CPU 60 via either wired or wireless interfaces. In this manner, client software running on CPU 60 may associate with the time and position information provided by GPS receiver 100 various data of interest regarding athlete 14, his/her environment and the route being traversed. The data may be stored locally by portable fitness device 12, for example, within internal memory device 62, or transmitted over-the-air by WAN transceiver 104, possibly in real time.

[0052] It will further be appreciated that portable fitness device 12 may be implemented as a special purpose device or may alternatively be realized on a conventional portable device platform, such as a mobile telephone, MP3 player, digital camera, PDA, etc.

[0053] With reference now to FIG. 2B, there is illustrated a layer diagram of an exemplary software configuration of portable fitness device 12 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the software configuration of portable fitness device 12 includes at a lowest level an operating system (OS) 150 that provides a collection of services, such as thread scheduling, memory management, interrupts, etc., that may be accessed by higher-level software. Running on top of operating system 150 is a runtime environment 152, such as one of the JAVA or BREW runtime environments. Finally, the software configuration of portable fitness device 12 includes a portable fitness device client 154 running on top of runtime environment 152. Portable fitness device client 154 may be downloaded to portable fitness device 12 over-the-air, for example, via the wireless WAN and WAN transceiver 104.

[0054] As illustrated, portable fitness device client 154 comprises a number of individual modules, each performing a function of portable fitness device 12. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the illustrated modules are illustrative rather than exhaustive, and that portable fitness device client 154 may include additional or alternative modules to support or extend the functionality of portable fitness device 12.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 2B, the modules within portable fitness device client 154 preferably include a number of reader modules 160-166. GPS reader 160 receives from GPS receiver 100 time-stamped waypoints including at least time, latitude and longitude information, and, depending upon implementation and the number of GPS satellites 20 from which GPS signals 22 were received, elevation and error information. Utilizing the time-stamped waypoints received from GPS receiver 100, GPS reader 160 calculates performance and route information for athlete 14. For example, GPS reader 160 may determine the start and stop times at which a route was begun and ended, an elapsed time, an elapsed distance, distance remaining in the route, elevation change, average elevation, current pace, average pace, bearing, etc.

[0056] The remainder of readers 160-166, for example, heart rate reader 162 and annotation reader 164, similarly obtain input data and associate the input data with a corresponding time-stamped waypoint obtained by GPS reader 160. Readers 162-166 may also perform additional calculations to determine instantaneous, differential or cumulative quantitative characterizations of the route, the performance of athlete 14 or of his/her environment. Thus, for example, heart rate reader 162 may obtain an instantaneous heart rate reading from heart rate monitor 120, associate that heart rate reading with the time-stamped waypoint obtained by GPS reader 160, and calculate an average heart rate. Similarly, annotation reader 164 may store a route annotation entered by athlete 14 via input buttons 80 or microphone 18 with a time-stamped waypoint obtained by GPS reader 160.

[0057] The data gathered and calculated by readers 160-166 are then parsed and formatted by formatter 170 into a predetermined data format that associates the performance and route data with a timestamp and geographical location. The particular data format employed by data formatter 170 is implementation-dependent, but is preferably compact to conserve the capacity of internal memory device 62 and the bandwidth of the communication link between portable training device 12 and the wireless WAN. Storage capacity and wireless communication bandwidth may further be conserved by applying a data compressor 172 to the formatted data produced by data formatter 170.

[0058] After data obtained and calculated by readers 160-166 have been formatted by data formatter 170 and optionally compressed by data compressor 172, the data are either stored within internal memory device 62 (or audio storage 66 or a removal memory loaded in removable memory slot 64) or are transmitted over-the-air via WAN transceiver 104. Upload manager 174 and route and performance recorder 176 determine whether or not to upload and/or store data locally based upon one or more criteria, for example, whether WAN transceiver 104 can acquire a connection to the wireless WAN, the available storage within internal memory device 62, an indication of whether or not a remote user is tracking the training of athlete 14 in real-time, and/or other criteria. If, based upon these and/or other criteria, upload manager 174 decides to upload the formatted and compressed data, upload manager 174 outputs the data via WAN transceiver 104 and antenna 106 to client computer system 44 and/or server computer system 42 utilizing radio frequency signals 36. Data transmitted to client computer system 44 is typically graphically presented within a display device, and data transmitted to server computer system 42 is typically stored within training journal database 54.

[0059] As noted above, portable training device 12 may alternatively receive data over-the-air from the wireless WAN. In a preferred embodiment, the data received over-the-air from the wireless WAN may include route information transmitted by server computer system 42 from route database 52, settings of portable fitness device 12 transmitted by server computer system 42 or client computer system 44, and training recommendations transmitted from server computer system 42 or client computer system 44. Route information, which may be identified as such, for example, by an XML header, is received, processed and stored by route storage manager 182. The route information may be, for example, turn-by-turn directions keyed to particular geographical areas defined by a latitude and longitude range duple. By storing route information in this format, when GPS reader 160 obtains a time-stamped waypoint falling within a particular geographic area defined by a latitude and longitude range duple, audio presentation module 192 can present an audible instruction to athlete 14 via speaker 82 and/or headphones 122 to direct athlete 14 how to traverse a desired route.

[0060] Settings data, which may be identified as such, for example, by an XML header, is initially received, processed, and output by data decompressor 180 is then subsequently processed by settings manager 184. For example, settings manager 184 may utilize settings data to update storage locations within internal memory device 62 governing particular aspects of the operation of portable training device 12. In addition, based upon the received settings, settings manager 184 may notify upload manager 174 or route and performance recorder 176 to initiate upload or storage of route and performance information.

[0061] Training recommendations received, processed and output by data decompressor 180 are subsequently processed by training input manager 186. These training recommendations preferably take the form of either voice data communicated by a human trainer utilizing, for example, a voice-over-IP (VoIP) connection to portable training device 12, or a predetermined data command representing an audio message. In the former case, training input manager 186 exports the audio data directly to audio presentation module 192, which, in turn, directly presents the audio data to athlete 14 via headphones 122 and/or speaker 82. If, however, the training recommendation takes the form of a data command representing an audio message, training input manager 186 locates an audio track within audio storage 66 or internal memory device 62 corresponding to the data command and presents the audio track to audio presentation module 192 for subsequent presentation to athlete 14. In this manner, a remote human trainer (who may be stationed at client computer system 44) or an automated training plan service may provide training recommendations directly to athlete 14 in substantially real-time. And, if portable training device 12 is equipped with a microphone 68, athlete 14 may similarly communicate audibly with the remote trainer (e.g., via VoIP) through the execution of annotation reader 164 data formatter 170, data compressor 172 and upload manager 174.

[0062] Audio presentation module 192 is also preferably equipped to present, in audio format, turn-by-turn directions correcting the course of an athlete 14 to return to a route if a turn is missed, as well as turn-by-turn directions providing the most direct return path to the starting point. Such turn-by-turn directions are preferably computed by server computer system 42 based upon real time location information received over-the-air from portable fitness device 12 and then transmitted to portable fitness device 12, again utilizing over-the-air communication via the wireless WAN. Audio presentation module 192 may also be utilized to decode and present audio entertainment tracks, such as the MP3 files stored within audio storage 66.

[0063] As further depicted in FIG. 2B, portable fitness device client 154 includes a visual presentation module 190 that manages the presentation of route, performance and environmental information to athlete 14 via optional display 84 and/or the display of watch 126. It should be noted, however, that it is presently preferred to present data of all types to athlete 14 during the course of a fitness activity in audio format so that the concentration and attention of athlete 14 is not diverted from training efforts.

[0064] Finally, route publication manager 194 of portable fitness device client 154 supports the sharing of routes between multiple portable fitness devices 12, for example, utilizing the local wireless interface 110, WAN transceiver 104, or data port 108. In this manner, an athlete 14 can directly share selected routes (e.g., as identified utilizing input buttons 80) to other athletes having compatible portable fitness devices 12.

[0065] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is depicted a layer diagram of an exemplary software configuration of server computer system 42 of FIG. 1 that, in accordance with the present invention, provides an automated web-based route generation, route journaling, route visualization and other services. The services may be offered to a plurality of athletes 14 or other users forming a user community, may be restricted to users that have been issued login IDs and passwords for accessing server 42, and may further be offered in exchange for a subscription fee.

[0066] As shown, at the lowest layer the software configuration of server computer system 42 includes an operating system (OS) 210, which is preferably one of the commercially available operating systems, such as Windows, UNIX, LINUX, AIX, etc. OS 210 has an associated application programming interface (API) 212 though which middleware and application programs may access the services of OS 210.

[0067] Running on top of OS 210 is a hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) server 214, which, as is well known in the art, communicates data over Internet 40 utilizing HTTP. In particular, HTTP server 214 supports data communication with portable fitness device 12 and one or more remote client computers 44 utilizing HTTP. Communication with server computer system 42 may alternatively or additionally be conducted utilizing a sockets layer interface or other lower layer protocol running over IP.

[0068] In addition to HTTP server 214, the application software of server computer system 42 includes a number of different modules supporting the client-side functionality provided by portable fitness device client 154. In the depicted embodiment, these modules include a route generation and publication module 220, a data recorder module 226, and a visualization module 230. Those skilled in the art will again appreciate that alternative or additional modules may be implemented within server computer system 42 in order to provide or extend the described or additional functionality.

[0069] Route generation and publication module 220 generates routes to be traversed by athletes 14 during fitness activities, stores the routes within route database 52 (FIG. 1) for subsequent access, and downloads the routes to portable fitness devices 12. In a preferred embodiment, route generation and publication module 220 includes a route wizard 222, which, as described below with respect to FIG. 4A-4F, guides a user through a step-by-step process for generating routes having desired parameters and attributes. As shown in FIG. 3, route generation and publication module 220 preferably accesses a local or remote map database 224 that stores street and/or trail information in association with at least latitude and longitude information, and preferably elevation information. Thus, given at least one terminal point (e.g., a starting point), route generation and publication module 220 is able to construct one or more routes having a desired length, elevation profile, and other parameters and attributes. Routes generated by route generation and publication module 220 are stored for subsequent access within route database 52.

[0070] Once a particular route is scheduled by an athlete 14 as discussed further below, route generation and publication module 220 transforms the route into a sequence of turn-by-turn instructions and publishes the route to a portable fitness device 12 via HTTP server 214 and the wireless WAN. Because route generation and publication module 220 can obtain elevation information along a desired route directly from map database 224, route generation and publication module 220 is also able to advantageously supply, in conjunction with a route, elevation information for the route. In this manner, the elevation information supplied by route generation and publication module 220 can assist or replace the elevation information provided by GPS receiver 100. Thus, if less than four GPS satellites 20 are acquired, or if GPS receiver 100 is not designed to process elevation information, portable fitness device 12 can still determine elevation-dependent route and performance data regarding a route traversed by athlete 14.

[0071] Data recorder module 226 receives route and performance information from portable training device 12 via the wireless WAN and/or local wireless interface 110 and/or data port 108 and utilizes such data to build a virtual training journal for athlete 14 within training journal database 54. As noted previously, depending upon the operation of the upload manager 174 and route and performance recorder 176 within portable fitness device client 154, data recorder module 226 can build a journal entry describing the traversal of a particular route in substantially real time (i.e., during traversal of the route). Data recorder module 226 also preferably supports an interface through which a route recorded by data recorder module 226 can be exported to route database 52 for subsequent viewing, selection and scheduling within a user's training journal.

[0072] The exemplary software configuration of server computer system 42 finally includes visualization module 230. Visualization module 230 supports one or more interfaces through which users of remote client computer systems 44 can view and/or annotate the data recorded within training journal database 54 by data recorder module 226. In the depicted embodiment, visualization module 230 includes training journal interface 232, which, as described in detail below, permits an athlete 14 to view and/or annotate a journal entry describing a route traversed during a fitness activity after completion of the route traversal. In a preferred embodiment, visualization module 230 further includes a real-time interface 234 through which a user at a remote client computer system 44 may view, in substantially real time, data logged within training journal database 54 for one or more athletes. Thus, for example, a spectator having access to Internet 40 can view the real-time standings of multiple competitors in a fitness activity, such as a marathon, cycling race, or other competitive event. Similarly, a remotely located trainer having access to Internet 40 via a client computer 44 can view the progress of one or more athletes 14 engaged in one or more training activities in substantially real time.

[0073] Visualization module 230 also preferably includes support for the export of selected journal entries between accounts of different users of the back-end service provided by server computer system 42. For example, visualization module 230 preferably permits a user to transmit a journal entry representing a traversal of a route via email. In addition, visualization module 230 may permit a user to create a “buddy” account that may be accessed and even annotated by guest users. In this manner, if the services provided by server computer system 42 are provided for a subscription fee, marketing of the service is enhanced by the ability of non-subscribers or subscriber having reduced-cost subscriptions to view journal entries created by exercise partners.

[0074] Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4F, there are illustrated a sequence of graphical user interface (GUI) windows presented by route wizard 222 to a user of client computer system 44 by HTTP server 214. As noted above, route wizard 222 provides a graphical and intuitive interface through which a remote user can automatically build, search for, and/or schedule routes to be traversed during a fitness activity.

[0075] In order to access route wizard 222, a user stationed at a remote client computer system 44 first logs into server computer system 42 via Internet 40 and HTTP server 214. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the login process typically includes the entry by the remote user of a login ID and password or other authentication information to server computer system 42, which then authenticates the identity of the user by reference to the user database or the like.

[0076] Following the preliminary authentication process, an exemplary embodiment of route wizard 222 first presents a graphical user interface (GUI) window 250 to the user. Within GUI window 250, the user is prompted to select one of three options 252, 254 and 256, which are each associated with a respective one of radio buttons 258a-258c. Thus, the user is permitted to build a new route (option 252), search for an existing route within route database 52 (option 254), and access one or more routes within a pre-packaged training plan (option 256). After the user has indicated a preference among options 252-256 by selecting one of radio buttons 258a-c utilizing cursor 262 or a keyboard, the user selects Next button 260 to proceed to the next step.

[0077] If the user selected option 256 indicating that the user desires to select a pre-packaged training plan, route wizard 222 may subsequently present the user with one or more additional windows in which a training plan meeting the user's needs and desires is designed. Route wizard 222 then automatically populates the training journal of the user with a schedule of fitness activities that conform to the distance, time, goal event (e.g., marathon) and/or other parameters of the training plan. Thereafter, the user may be permitted to build or search for routes within route database 52 as described below with respect to FIGS. 4B-4F in order to fulfill the requirements of the scheduled fitness activities.

[0078] Assuming that the user selects option 252 of GUI window 250 in order to build a new route, route wizard 222 next presents to the user the GUI window 270 shown in FIG. 4B. As shown in FIG. 4B, window 270 includes a number of GUI components prompting the user to enter parameters for the new route to be built and, optionally, desired attributes of the route.

[0079] Specifically, the user is first prompted in section 272 to designate a starting point of the route (which in this embodiment is also the ending point) by entering a street address or ZIP code or by selecting a route within route database 52 having the desired starting point. Next, the user is prompted in section 274 to enter a desired overall length of the route, specified either by distance or by time. If time is utilized to specify the length of the route, a desired or historical average pace is preferably entered so that a route distance can be computed. In addition to the route parameters collected in sections 272 and 274, GUI window 270 may also prompt the user to enter optional route attributes. In the illustrated embodiment, the optional route attributes include a maximum distance that the route may extend from the starting point, a desired elevation profile of the route, a desired pattern of the route, a desired safety characterization of the route, a desired flow of the route, and whether or not the route may be a pre-existing route stored within route database 52.

[0080] Once the user has entered all required parameter and any optional route attributes within GUI window 270, the user selects Next button 280 utilizing cursor 262. In response, route generation and publication module 220 builds one or more routes conforming as closely as possible to the route parameters and route attributes entered through GUI window 270. The presentation of such routes by route wizard 222 is described below with respect to FIG. 4E.

[0081] Referring now to FIG. 4C, there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of a GUI window 300 presented by route wizard 222 to a user of client computer system 44 is response to selection of option 254 in GUI window 250 of FIG. 4A. That is, in response to a user input indicating that the user desires to search for a pre-existing route within route database 52, route wizard 222 prompts the user through GUI window 300 to enter parameters and attributes of routes of interest to the user.

[0082] In the depicted embodiment, GUI window 300 includes two modalities by which the user may specify parameters for the route. In particular, in section 302, the user is permitted to specify a location of the route by ZIP code or city name. Alternatively, as represented by button 304, the user may specify a geographic location of the route or routes to be located by the search through a map interface. For example, if the user selects button 304 utilizing cursor 262, route wizard 222 may present window 320 of FIG. 4D, which is described below.

[0083] Still referring to FIG. 4C, in section 306 of GUI window 300, the user is permitted to input into route wizard 222 desired attributes of the route to be located through the search of route database 52. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the route attributes include a range of route distance, an elevation profile, a route pattern, a route safety profile, a route flow, and amenities adjacent to the route. After the user has successfully entered a route location and any desired route attributes, the user may select Next button 308 utilizing cursor 262 to invoke a search of route database 52 by route generation and publication module 220 to locate one or more routes, if any, characterized by the desired route location and any route attributes. Assuming route generation and publication module 220 locates one or more routes of interest within route database 52, route wizard 222 presents the routes to the user through an interface such as that depicted in FIG. 4E, which is described below.

[0084] Referring now to FIG. 4D, there is illustrated an exemplary GUI window 320 in which route wizard 222 presents a navigable geographical map populated with graphical indications of locations for which preexisting routes are stored within the route database 52. In the depicted embodiment, GUI window 320 includes a graphical representation 322 of a geographical area, for example, a political, cultural, or regional boundary. Within geographical representation 322, route wizard 22 presents a number of indicia 324a-h identifying geographic locations of one or more pre-existing routes for which route database 52 stores route data.

[0085] In response to the user flying over one of indicia 324 utilizing cursor 262, route wizard 222 displays in a separate window or frame 330 route maps 332-336 of the routes in the geographic location corresponding to the selected indicia 324. Graphical representations 332-336 may be advantageously presented overlaying a street or topographical map within window 330. If the user visually identifies one or more routes of interest at a particular geographical location through visual inspection of indicia 324 and/or the route maps 332-336 displayed within windows 330, the user may select that geographical location by clicking on the associated indicia 324. In this manner, GUI window 320 and its associated functionality provide the user with a graphical and intuitive way of viewing and selecting route locations of interest.

[0086] With reference now to FIG. 4E, there is illustrated an exemplary GUI window 350 presented by route wizard 22 in order to permit a user to select from among one or more pre-existing routes that were located within route database 52 or that were built by route generation and publication module 220 in response to the input gathered by route wizard 222 within GUI window 270. As shown, in the depicted embodiment proposed routes that may be selected by the user are presented to the user in the form of route summaries 352a-c. Although such route summaries 352 may take any of a number of formats, in one preferred embodiment, each route summary 352 includes at least a route thumbnail 354 and a route distance 356. The route summary 352 may further include an elevation profile 358, which in the depicted embodiment is illustrated in graphical form, a route rating 360, and one or more audio or textual reviews or links thereto 362.

[0087] The user has a number of different navigation options from GUI window 350. First, by clicking on any of route thumbnails 354, the user is next presented with a graphical component through which the user may select or view detailed information regarding the selected route, as described further below with respect to FIG. 4F. Alternatively, the user may utilize cursor 262 to select Next button 370 in order to view one or more additional route summaries 352 of additional routes satisfying the user's route parameters and/or route attributes. In addition, by selecting Back button 372 utilizing cursor 262, the user is presented with one or more of the previously described GUI windows in order to permit the user to modify the route location or other route parameters or attributes.

[0088] With reference now to FIG. 4F, there is illustrated an GUI window 380 presented by route wizard 222 to provide a detailed view of a proposed route and an interface through which the user can upload route data to portable training device 12 and schedule traversal of the route. In the illustrative embodiment, window 380 includes a detailed route map 382 indicating the geographical path of the route. Route map 382 includes terminal points 384a, 384b and a route path 386. Route map 382 may optionally further include one or more annotations 388 associated with a route, which may be stored in route database 52 or accessed from map database 224. For example, in FIG. 4F, route diagram 382 contains an annotation 388 indicating a geographical location of a potable water source.

[0089] By clicking on route path 386 utilizing cursor 262, the user invokes display by route wizard 222 of a marker 390a, which may then be selectively slid to any desired location along route path 386 utilizing cursor 262. Route wizard 222 preferably displays marker location information 392 in association with marker 390a to indicate the geographic location of marker 390 (e.g., the distance between marker 390a and terminal 384a along route path 386). In addition, route wizard 322 preferably displays a corresponding second marker 390b in association with elevation profile 384. In this manner, by manipulating either of markers 390a or 390b utilizing cursor 262, the user can visualize the location of particular elevation features or annotations 388.

[0090] As further shown in FIG. 4F, window 380 further includes a rating of the route, which in this case includes between one and four “stars” and an indication of a number of reviews. In addition, window 380 may optionally include a number of written reviews, for example, displayed within text box 402. The user may navigate to a next review of the route by selecting link 404.

[0091] GUI window 380 of FIG. 4F finally includes an interface through which the user may invoke the upload of route information pertaining to the route currently being viewed to portable training device 12. In the depicted embodiment, the user can invoke upload of the route information to portable training device 12 by scheduling the route utilizing calendar interface 406. For example, in order to upload route information pertaining to the illustrated route to portable training device 12, the user may select a desired date such as Jan. 16, 2004, by clicking on that date within calendar interface 406 utilizing cursor 262. In response to this input, route generation and publication module 220 enters the route to the athlete's training journal in training journal database 54 as a prospective event and uploads route information to portable training device 12 via Internet 40 and the wireless WAN. Importantly, in order to conserve data storage capacity within portable training device 12, the upload by route generation and publication module 220 is preferably deferred until a selectable time interval of the scheduled date. In this manner, route information is provided to portable training device 12 automatically and as needed.

[0092] Referring now to FIGS. 5A-C, there are illustrated a series of GUI windows presented by training journal interface 232 of visualization module 230 of server computer system 42 to permit a user to view, annotate and share training journal entries created utilizing data received over-the-air from portable fitness device 12. In order to access training journal interface 232, a user stationed at a remote client computer system 44 first logs into server computer system 42 via Internet 40 and HTTP server 214. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the login process typically includes the entry by the remote user of a login ID and password or other authentication information to server computer system 42, which then authenticates the identity of the user by reference to the user database or the like.

[0093] Following the preliminary authentication process, training journal interface 232 of visualization module 230 presents GUI window 420 to the remote user via HTTP server 214 and Internet 40. As illustrated, GUI window 420 includes a calendar interface 424 through which the user can select a past, current or future calendar month of interest utilizing cursor 262. An associated list box 422 presents for selection dates within the selected calendar month having journal entries within training journal database 54 for the specified login ID. Thus, by navigating utilizing cursor 262, the user can select for viewing journal entries detailing past or real-time routes previously traversed or currently being traversed by an athlete 14, or prospective routes scheduled for the athlete 14.

[0094] Assuming that the user selects a past journal entry within training journal database 54 from list box 422, training journal interface 232 presents GUI window 440 of FIG. 5B, again utilizing HTTP serve 214. As shown, the journal entry presented by training journal interface 232 within GUI window 440 provides detailed information regarding a route previously traversed by athlete 14, the athlete's performance, environmental conditions, as well as the athlete's personal comments and annotations.

[0095] In particular, the training journal entry presented within GUI window 440 includes a route map 442 having terminal points 444a-b and a route path 446 showing the geographical path traversed by the route. As discussed above, route map 442 may advantageously be presented as an overlay of a trail or street map retrieved from map database 224.

[0096] The overall performance of athlete 14, in traversing the route depicted in route map 442, is preferably summarized in a performance summary section 476. As indicated, performance summary section 476 may indicate the route distance, total elapsed time, average pace, average heart rate of athlete 14, as well as other route and performance information. Weather conditions at the time and geographical location at which athlete 14 traversed the route may optionally be presented in a weather condition section 478. For example, weather condition section 478 may specify the temperature, wind speed and direction, humidity, and precipitation. The weather condition information presented within weather condition section 478 may advantageously be accessed by visualization module 230 from any of the multiple publicly accessible weather databases available via Internet 40.

[0097] The user may interact with route map 442 in a number of ways. For example, the user may annotate route map 442 by dragging any of icons 460a-f to a selected location along route path 446 utilizing cursor 262. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the user is dragging an annotation 454 representing a potable water source onto route map 442. The user may alternatively drag callout box icon 462 onto route map 442 in order to enter a textual annotation.

[0098] In addition, in response to clicking on route path 446 utilizing cursor 262, training journal interface 232 displays one or more markers 450a, 452a along route path 446, preferably in association with one or more items of route or performance information (e.g., a distance) for the geographical location identified by the marker 450a, 452a. By adding markers 450a, 452a in this manner, the user can graphically and intuitively ascertain the geographical location of features of interest and performance and route information at selected locations along route path 446. Training journal interface 232 may alternatively or additionally present route and performance information for a selected geographical location in response to the user causing cursor 262 to “fly over” the corresponding location on route path 446.

[0099] In association with route map 442, training journal interface 232 preferably presents other performance information, route information, and/or environmental information in graphical format. For example, in the depicted embodiment, training journal interface 232 presents an elevation profile 472a, a heart rate profile 472b, and a pace profile 472c in association with route map 442. When the user adds markers 450a, 452a to route path 446, training journal interface 232 automatically presents corresponding markers 450b-d and 452b-d at corresponding locations along graphical profiles 472a-c. As discussed above, all of markers 450 and all of markers 452 are synchronized so that movement of any of markers 450 moves all of markers 450 and movement of any of markers 452 moves all of markers 452. In this manner, the user is able to graphically and intuitively define an interval over which performance, route and/or environmental information may be viewed. For example, in the depicted embodiment, interval information is depicted in interval section 474, which informs the user of the interval distance, time taken by the athlete to traverse the route interval, average pace over the route interval and average heart rate over the route interval.

[0100] Of course, the particular types of route, performance and environmental information shown in FIG. 5B are not exhaustive and other types of route, performance, and environmental information may be captured in association with the traversal of a route. If additional route, performance or environmental information is captured in association with the route, that information is preferably presented in a profile 472, within interval section 474, and/or within overall performance section 476 in like manner. For example, GUI window 440 may present information regarding what pair of shoes 24 the athlete was wearing during the fitness activity, together with a lifetime mileage total for that specific pair of shoes 24.

[0101] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user may alternatively or additionally view route, performance and environmental information regarding a previously traversed route in an overlay view in which a graphical representation of the route, performance and/or environmental information is depicted along route path 446. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, in response to user selection of overlay view button 480 utilizing cursor 262, training journal interface 232 presents route map 500 of FIG. 5C in place of route map 442 of FIG. 5B.

[0102] Like route map 442, route map 500 includes terminal points 502a and 502b defining the starting and ending points of a route path 504. In contrast to route map 442, however, route path 504 of route map 500 comprises a plurality of bands 504a-c, each of which represents a respective route, performance or environmental parameter quantified at the waypoints recorded along the route. The value of the respective route, performance or environmental parameter is preferably charted along route path 504 utilizing gray scale or color shade variation to represent the instantaneous quantity of the route, performance or environmental parameter at each point along the route. Thus, in FIG. 5C, the different hatching applied to each of bands 504a-504c represents a different color and a varying spacing between the hatches represents the display of the colors at varying levels of intensity along the route path, depending upon the value of the parameters at each point along the path. The value associated with each shade of color or each level of gray scale is generally graphically represented in an accompanying legend 506. Training journal interface 232 preferably further presents instantaneous route and performance data at any point along the route path in response to a flyover of cursor 262 or in response to the user adding markers 508, 510 to the route path, as described above. For example, in association with the display of marker 508, training journal interface 232 displays information regarding the traversed distance, relative elevation, heart rate and pace associated with a distance 1.4 miles from the beginning of the route.

[0103] Returning to FIG. 5B, in addition to supporting user annotation of route maps 442 and 500, GUI window 440 preferably permits the user to enter additional information regarding environmental and route conditions and personal thoughts. For example, GUI window 440 includes a route condition section 482 that permits the user to record the surface and traffic conditions observed along the route, as well as a text box 484 in which the user may enter personal reflections about the training activity.

[0104] Finally, GUI window 440 preferably includes a GUI component that permits the user to review and/or rate the route. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, GUI window 440 contains a second text box 492 in which the user can compose a review of the route and a ratings section 494 in which the user can award the route between one and four “stars”. After the route has been reviewed and/or rated, the user can select Publish button 496, which causes training journal interface 232 to store the review and rating within route database 52 in association with the route. In this manner, the review and rating are available for access by other users through route wizard 222, as described above.

[0105] Training journal interface 232 preferably permits a user to view prospective routes that have been scheduled utilizing a similar interface to that illustrated in FIG. 5B. In particular, in response to a user selecting a journal entry for a future date within list box 422 of FIG. 5A, training journal interface 232 presents a journal entry containing a route map 442 of the prospective training activity as shown in FIG. 5B. Of course, the journal entry will not contain any performance information (e.g., time, pace, heart rate, etc.) because the athlete 14 has not yet traversed the route.

[0106] Training journal interface 232 also preferably permits a user to view routes currently being traversed in substantially real time through an interface similar to that depicted in FIG. 5B. In this case, training journal interface 232 presents a journal entry containing a route map 442 and a marker 450a showing the athlete's current location with respect to route path 446. In addition, training journal interface 232 may present a summary section 476 summarizing the athlete's performance to the current position, a weather condition section 478, an interval section 474, and one or more graphical profiles 472. In this manner, a remote trainer or spectator stationed at a client computer system 44 may track an athlete's performance information, route information and environmental information in substantially real time.

[0107] If a user stationed at a client computer system 44 desires to view a substantially real time view of the activities of multiple athletes traversing a common route, the user preferably logs into real-time interface 234 through HTTP server 214. Assuming the user has the appropriate subscription and/or permissions, real-time interface 234 builds from the training journals of multiple athletes a web page containing a single route map on which multiple markers, each representing a respective athlete, are presented. The web page may further present separate performance and route information for each athlete. In this manner, a remote trainer or spectator stationed at a client computer system 44 may track performance information, route information and environmental information in substantially real time for multiple athletes traversing the same or substantially the same route.

[0108] With reference now to FIG. 6A, there is illustrated a high level logical flowchart of an exemplary method of authoring a training plan in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, the process begins at block 600 and then proceeds to block 602, which depicts a user stationed at a client computer 44 describing a fitness training plan for an activity, for example, through a browser interface served over Internet 40 by authoring tool 242 of training plan module 240 (FIG. 3) via web server 214. The training plan includes one or more workouts and preferably includes at least a relative scheduling of the workouts. The training plan may further include specific routes and specific performance metrics, such as a target distance, target duration, target repetitions, target pace, target heart rate, target intervals or other performance goals for one or more of the workouts. The user may further associate metadata such as keywords (e.g., author name, plan length, fitness event, etc.) with the training plan so that it may be more easily located utilizing a conventional search tool. As described further below, the user may further enter information indicating a preferred adaptive behavior of the training planning in response to actually observed athletic performance of an athlete using the training plan.

[0109] After the training plan has been described, the user invokes storage of the training plan by authoring tool 242 within a training plan database 56 in data storage 50 of FIG. 1. In response, authoring tool 242 generates an XML-formatted document specifying the training plan, and as indicated at block 604, stores the training plan within training plan database 56. The metadata contained in the XML-formatted training plan enables users to browse the contents of training plan database 56 utilizing a conventional search tool, such as the keyword search tool of a web browser. As further shown at block 606, the author of the training plan is preferably permitted by authoring tool 242 to subsequently access and modify training plans created by that author that reside within training plan database 56. Following block 606, the process ends at block 608.

[0110] Referring now to FIG. 6B, there is depicted a high level logical flowchart of an exemplary method of installing a training plan into a user's training journal in accordance with the present invention. The process begins at block 620 and then proceeds to block 622, which illustrates a user stationed at a client computer system 44 selecting a training plan from training plan database 56 of server computer system 42, for example, through a browser GUI served over Internet 40 by calendaring tool 244 of training plan module 240 via HTTP server 214. The selection may be aided by a conventional browser search tool, menus, pick lists, calendars or other conventional user interface components. As described above, the presentation of the interface components utilized to select the training plan may be invoked by selection of option 256 within GUI window 250 of FIG. 4A. In response to user selection of the training plan, calendaring tool 244 installs the selected training plan within the user's personal training journal residing within training journal database 54. As noted, at block 624, installation of the training plan within the user's personal journal may optionally require payment of a fee (e.g., authorization to charge a credit card number) and/or user agreement to abide by the terms of a copyright license in the training plan (e.g., as signified by selection of an “I Agree” button within the GUI displayed at client computer system 44).

[0111] When calendaring tool 244 of training plan module 240 installs the training plan within the user's training journal, calendaring tool 244 preferably presents a calendar view similar to GUI window 420 of FIG. 5A or other GUI component(s) to enable user input of preferred scheduling and other preferences for the training plan. The user preferences may include, for example, desired starting and/or ending dates for the plan, preferred workout and/or rest days, the date of a race or other event to which the training plan pertains, audible alerts the user desires to received during a workout, etc. In response to the user scheduling input(s) and any other preferences, calendaring tool 244 automatically populates the calendar in the user's training journal with the workouts within the selected training plan based upon the user's inputs and/or the relative scheduling of the workouts in the training plan. After the training plan has been installed within the user's training journal, the user is preferably permitted to further modify or customize the training plan, as depicted at block 628. In addition, training plan module 240 may automatically customize a training plan in an athlete's personal training journal in response to the athlete's activities recorded in the personal training journal if the adaptive behavior is specified by the training plan. For example, training plan module 240 may automatically remove prospective workouts from the training plan in response to the athlete 14 exceeding a weekly mileage target in order to prevent pre-event injury or may automatically add additional workouts (e.g., to the end of the training plan) if the personal training journal of athlete 14 indicates a failure to meet mileage goals. Alternatively or additionally, training plan module 240 may automatically decrease a target pace for one or more prospective workouts if the athlete 14 has had a lower than target pace over one or more previous workouts. Those skilled in the art that any number of other modifications to distance, pace and scheduling may similarly be automatically implemented in response to actual measured athletic performance. Following block 628, the process terminates at block 630.

[0112] With reference now to FIG. 6C, there is illustrated a high level logical flowchart of an exemplary method of automatically downloading one or more workouts within a training plan to a portable fitness device 12 in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the process begins at block 640 and then proceeds to block 642, which depicts a download manager 246 of training plan module 240 monitoring a user's personal training journal to determine if any workout of a training plan installed within the user's training journal falls within a next download time interval (e.g., within the upcoming week). If not, download manager 246 continues to monitor the user's training journal.

[0113] However, if download manager 246 determines at block 642 that at least one workout of a training plan falls within the next download time interval, download manager 246 attempts to establish communication with the user's portable fitness device 12 via Internet 40 and the wireless WAN, as depicted at block 644. If download manager 236 determines at block 644 that communication cannot be established, for example, because portable fitness device 12 is turned off or is out of range of the wireless WAN, download manager 246 waits a predetermined interval, as shown at block 645. The process then returns to block 642, which has been described.

[0114] Returning to block 644, if download manager 246 determines that the portable fitness device 12 is available to receive a download, the process proceeds to block 646. Block 646 depicts download manager 246 automatically downloading the workouts within the next download time interval to the portable fitness device 12 using an XML schema. As noted in block 646, the workout(s) preferably include at least one performance metric that may form the basis of a substantially real time alert during the associated workout. Following block 646, the process ends at block 648. Thus, workouts may be downloaded to portable fitness device 12 on an as-needed basis rather than all at once, which reduces utilization of storage in portable fitness device 12. Of course, in other embodiments, the download interval can be longer than the training plan, and all workouts within the training plan can be downloaded at once.

[0115] Referring now to FIG. 6D, there is depicted a high level logical flowchart of an exemplary method by which a portable fitness device 12 presents comparative performance information in substantially real time in accordance with the present invention. The process begins at block 650 in response to an athlete 14 initiating a monitored activity, for example, by selecting a route or planned workout from the internal memory device 62 of portable training device 12 and entering a “Start” command utilizing one of input buttons 80 of portable fitness device 12. The process then trifurcates and proceeds in parallel to each of block 652, 660 and 680.

[0116] Block 652 depicts data formatter 170 receiving and formatting input data regarding the athlete's activity from readers 160-166 as described above. After optional compression by data compressor 172, the input data received and formatted by data formatter 170 are recorded by route and performance recorder 176 within internal memory device 62 (or audio storage 66 or a removal memory loaded in removable memory slot 64), as depicted at block 654. The formatting and recording steps shown at blocks 652 and 654 are performed for the duration of the fitness activity.

[0117] Referring now to blocks 660-674, the operations of training input manager 186 described above may be extended to present notifications and alerts to the athlete 14 in substantially real time during the activity. As shown at block 660, training input manager 186 determines from the activity-related data recorded by route and performance recorder 176 whether or an update interval (e.g., an interval time and/or interval distance) has elapsed. The time and/or distance update interval(s) are preferably determined by the settings established by settings manager 184. If a time or distance update interval has not elapsed, the process iterates at block 660 until a time or distance update interval has elapsed. The process then proceeds to block 662, which illustrates training input manager 186 determining whether notifications are currently enabled by reference to the settings established by settings manager 184. These notifications provide feedback to athlete 14 of his performance (e.g., distance traveled, pace, split time, heart rate, etc.) in substantially real time without reference to performance goals.

[0118] If notifications are not currently enabled, the process passes to block 666, which is described below. If, however, notifications are currently enabled, training input manager 186 computes one or more notifications to be presented to athlete 14 (e.g., distance traveled, pace, split time, heart rate, etc.). Next, training input manager 186 determines at block 666 whether or not the current activity is a planned workout within a training plan downloaded to portable training device 12. This determination can be made based upon user selection of a planned workout at block 650 or by dynamic matching of the route data recorded by route and performance recorder 176 and route information associated with a workout route downloaded to portable fitness device 12. If the current activity is not a planned workout, the process passes to block 674, which is described below. If the current activity is a planned workout, the process proceeds to block 668.

[0119] Block 668 depicts training input manager 186 comparing at least one metric of the athlete's current performance to a corresponding performance goal provided to portable fitness device 12 as part of the planned workout. Training input manager 186 next determines at block 670 whether or not any alerts should be presented to athlete 14 based upon the performance comparison performed at block 186. These alerts may include, for example, the following:

• • [0120] Speed/pace too slow or too fast
  • [0121] Total distance reached
  • [0122] Heart rate too slow or too fast
  • [0123] Distance or elevation gain milestone reached
  • [0124] Split time too fast or too slow.
    The alerts determined at block 670, if any, are then recorded in association with the reader data in internal memory device 62 at block 672 so that the guidance provided to athlete 14 may be subsequently reviewed. Following a negative determination at block 670 or following block 672, training input manager 186 presents a performance update to athlete 14 in audible format that includes at least one notification or alert. That is, training input manager 186 locates an audio track within audio storage 66 or internal memory device 62 corresponding to a notification (e.g., “Pace is 8:30”) or an alert (e.g., “Pace under target by 10 seconds”) and presents the audio track to audio presentation module 192 for subsequent audible presentation to athlete 14. Of course, such updates may additionally be presented visually to athlete 14 by visual presentation module 190. Thereafter, the process returns to block 660, which has been described.

[0125] Referring now to blocks 680-682, the operation of upload manager 174 is illustrated. As described above, upload manager 174 and route and performance recorder 176 determine at block 680 whether or not to upload activity-related data based upon one or more criteria, for example, whether WAN transceiver 104 can acquire a connection to the wireless WAN, the available storage within internal memory device 62, an indication of whether or not a remote user is tracking the training of athlete 14 in real-time, and/or other criteria. If, based upon these and/or other criteria, upload manager 174 decides not to upload activity-related data, the process returns to block 680. If, however, upload manager 174 decides to upload the formatted and compressed activity-related data, upload manager 174 outputs the activity-related data, including any alerts, via WAN transceiver 104 and antenna 106 to client computer system 44 and/or server computer system 42 utilizing radio frequency signals 36. Thereafter, the process returns to block 680.

[0126] With reference now to FIG. 7A, there is illustrated a Cartesian graph illustrating the over-reporting of distance traveled by “raw” or un processed GPS waypoints when GPS receiver 100 is traveling at low velocity (e.g., less than 30 miles per hour and, more particularly, less than 15 miles per hour). As GPS receiver 100 is transported by athlete 14, GPS receiver 100 receives GPS signals 22 from GPS satellites 20, where each GPS signal 22 contains a timestamp. From these GPS signals 22, GPS reader 160 computes time-stamped waypoints A through O, which are plotted on an arbitrary Cartesian graph. As indicated by the varying spacing between the time-stamped waypoints and the irregular path of route 700, time-stamped waypoints are subject to at least two types of error, namely, timing error and positional error.

[0127] As can be seen, positional readings are based on a timestamp that may or may nor reflect the actual elapsed time between GPS readings. This timing error may be induced by a low performance processor driving GPS receiver 100 that does not have sufficient cycles to dedicate to GPS processing. Alternatively or additionally, timing error may be inserted by the use of assisted GPS (A-GPS), which requires round trip communication over the wireless WAN to validate a GPS reading, or by local filtering performed by GPS receiver 100 and/or GPS reader 160.

[0128] Additional positional error may also be caused by the inherent positional error of commercial (as opposed to military) GPS signals, which is typically between 3-5 meters. Consequently, when the sampling rate of the GPS signal causes more than one sample to be taken during time interval required to traverse the positional error distance, a zigzag route will be reported even if a relatively straight path is followed. As indicated by “flattened” GPS reading 702, the cumulative distance between adjacent pairs of time-stamped waypoints A through O is thus greater than the true distance traversed 704 by a delta distance 706. This distance error will also negatively impact any average or instantaneous velocity computations that depend on a correct reporting of distance traversed.

[0129] Referring now to FIG. 7B, there is depicted a high level logical flowchart of an exemplary method of GPS filtering in accordance with the present invention. The illustrated method can be performed in hardware (e.g., by GPS receiver 100) and/or in software (e.g., by GPS reader 160).

[0130] The process begins at block 710 and then proceeds to blocks 712-714, which illustrates receiving and queuing in a pipeline a new GPS reading including at least a time stamp and a latitude/longitude duple, and optionally, a positional accuracy/uncertainty. After some time interval, a subsequent GPS reading is received and queued, as shown at block 714. Although the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, it will hereafter be assumed that the pipeline holds a maximum of 3 GPS readings, identified in order of receipt as A, B and C. Next, at block 720, a determination is made whether or not the length of the route segment between the two GPS readings most recently entered into the queue (i.e., B and C) is less than a first threshold, which in one embodiment is based upon (e.g., equal to) the (possibly variable) positional accuracy associated with the readings. If so, the process passes to block 722, which illustrates discarding the most recent GPS reading (C) from the pipeline. Thereafter, the process returns to block 714, which has been described.

[0131] Returning to block 720, in response to a determination that the distance traversed between the two most recent GPS readings (B and C) is not less than the threshold, the process bifurcates and proceeds to each of blocks 714 and 724. Block 724 illustrates calculating the velocity of GPS receiver 100 over the route segments AB, BC and AC based upon the length of the route segments and the time intervals between the GPS readings. Next, the process passes to block 726, which depicts determining whether or not a GPS reading in the pipeline is errant and should therefore be discarded.

[0132] In one embodiment, the middle GPS reading (B) is determined to be errant if:
(velocity AB)/velocity AC)>Threshold2, or
(velocity BC)/(velocity AC)>Threshold2,
where “velocity XY” refers to a velocity over route segment between points X and Y and “Threshold2” is a second threshold. In one embodiment, a second threshold ranging between 2 and 5, and preferably, about 3 is employed.

[0133] In response to a determination at block 726 that a GPS reading in the pipeline is errant, the errant GPS reading is discarded from the pipeline, as shown at block 722. Thereafter, the process returns to block 714. If, on the other hand, a determination is made at block 726 that a GPS reading in the pipeline is not errant, the process proceeds to block 730. Block 730 depicts the application of a smoothing algorithm to the GPS readings in the pipeline. In one embodiment, a curve fitting formula, such as least-squares curve fitting, is employed. A less computationally intensive alternative that may be employed is an equally weighted averaging algorithm such as:
(latB′,lonB′)=((latA+latB+latC)/3,(lonA+lonB+lonC)/3)
where latX, lonX is the latitude, longitude duple for GPS reading X and (latB′, lonB′) is a replacement latitude, longitude duple for GPS reading B.

[0134] If an uncertainty or error “u” is available for each of GPS readings A, B and C (e.g., the uncertainties are supplied by GPS receiver 100 or derived based upon a heuristic that may account for the number of GPS satellites 20 available), a weighted averaging algorithm with possibly different weights for each GPS reading can alternatively be applied to “smooth” GPS reading B as follows:
U=(1/uA)+(1/uB)+(1/uC)
w1=(1/uA)/U
w2=(1/uB)/U
w3=(1/uC)/U
(latB′,lonB′)=(w1*latA+w2*latB+w2*latC,w1*lonA+w2*lonB+w3*lonC)

[0135] Yet another alternative is a partially weighted smoothing algorithm that applies a percentage of emphasis given to the uncertainties “u”:
P=percentage emphasis of uncertainties;
U=(1/uA)+(1/uB)+(1/uC)
w1=[(1/uA)/U]*P+(1−P)/3
w2=[(1/uB)/U]*P+(1−P)/3
w3=[(1/uC)/U]*P+(1−P)/3
(latB′,lonB′)=(w1*latA+w2*latB+w2*latC,w1*lonA+w2*lonB+w3*lonC)
Experimentally, a value of P=0.5 has been found to be effective in smoothing GPS readings.

[0136] Following block 730, the oldest GPS reading (C) is output from the pipeline at block 732 and recorded as route data. A determination is then made at block 734 whether or not more “raw” GPS readings will be received for the current route (e.g., whether a “Stop” input has been received in response to manipulation of an input button 80). If not, the process returns to block 714, which has been described. If, however, no more “raw” GPS readings will be received for the current route, the process passes to block 736, which illustrates outputting and recording as route data any remaining GPS readings in the pipeline. Thereafter, the process ends at block 740.

[0137] The smoothed GPS data output from the pipeline is preferably what is recorded by route and performance recorder 176 within internal memory device 62. The process depicted in FIG. 7B can alternatively be implemented by software on a remote data processing system (e.g., server computer system 42 or client computer system 44) to correct the GPS data by post-processing or in real time. If the GPS data is corrected in real-time by the remote data processing system (e.g., server computer system 42), the corrected GPS data can be transmitted back to the source portable fitness device 12 or other GPS-enabled device for presentation or analysis.

[0138] With reference now to FIG. 8, there is depicted a high level logical flowchart of an exemplary method of automatically presenting comparative split information to an athlete in substantially real-time in accordance with the present invention. The process can be implemented, for example, as an extension to training input manager 186 of FIG. 2B.

[0139] The process begins at block 800 in response to an athlete 14 initiating a monitored activity, for example, by entering a “Start” command utilizing one of input buttons 80 of portable fitness device 12. The process then proceeds to block 802, which illustrates a determination of whether or not athlete 14 is traversing a route previously traversed by athlete 14. In a preferred embodiment, the determination depicted at block 802 can be made in response to user input (e.g., the user selecting a route or planned workout from the internal memory device 62 of portable training device 12) or can be made dynamically by route matching.

[0140] In response to a determination at block 802 that the route being traversed is known to be a route that was previously traversed (e.g., because of user input), the process proceeds to block 830, which illustrates training input manager 186 requesting and receiving a download from server computer system 42 of split information for the current route stored within the athlete's personal training journal within training journal database 54. The split information, which preferably provides a split for each equal sized route segment (e.g., quarter mile, half kilometer, etc.), may indicate a most recent, average and/or personal record split time for the athlete 14. Based upon the split information, training input manager 186 generates and presents a performance update to athlete 14 in audible format, as described above with respect to block 674 of FIG. 6D (block 832). That is, training input manager 186 locates an audio track within audio storage 66 or internal memory device 62 corresponding to the alert (e.g., “Mile 1 under PR by 6 seconds”) and presents the audio track to audio presentation module 192 for subsequent audible presentation to athlete 14. Of course, such alerts may additionally be presented to athlete 14 by visual presentation module 190.

[0141] The process next passes to block 834, which depicts training input manager 186 determining whether or not the route has been completed, for example, by determining whether athlete 14 has indicated “Stop” utilizing one of input buttons 80 and/or by determining whether a known terminal waypoint of the route has been reached. If training input manager 186 determines at block 834 that athlete 14 has completed the route, training input manager 186 optionally uploads the split information for each segment of the route to the athlete's personal training journal within training journal database 54 on server computer system 42. (Data recorder module 226 of server computer system 42 could recompute the split information to reduce data transmission over the wireless WAN.) Thereafter, the process ends at block 840.

[0142] Referring again to block 802, in response to training input manager 186 determining that athlete 14 is traversing an unknown route, the process proceeds to block 804. Block 804 illustrates training input manager 186 uploading the GPS reading at a first or next split distance (e.g., 0 miles, ¼ mile, etc.) to a route matching module 248 running on server computer system 42. In response to receipt of the GPS reading, route matching module 248 compares the location specified by the GPS reading with previously traversed routes recorded within the athlete's personal training journal within training journal database 54 on server computer system 42 (block 806). If no location match with a previously traversed route is found within a given range (e.g., ±10 meters), the process passes to block 810, which illustrates route matching module 248 determining whether or not a possible match still may exist (e.g., whether a previously traversed route is found within 2000 meters of the GPS reading received from portable fitness device 12).

[0143] If route matching module 248 determines at block 810 that a match may still be possible, the process returns to block 804, with route matching module 248 optionally signaling training input manager 186 that no match has been found but that a match is still possible. If, on the other hand, route matching module 248 determines that no match is possible (e.g., no previously traversed route was found within 2000 meters of the GPS reading received from portable fitness device 12), the process ends at block 840, with route matching module 248 optionally signaling training input manager 186 that no match has been found or is still possible.

[0144] Returning to block 808, in response to route matching module 248 determining that a matching previously traversed route resides in the athlete's personal training journal, route matching module 248 downloads split information for the route to training input manager 186, as illustrated at block 820. Training input manager 186 then utilizes the downloaded split information to generate and presents a performance update to athlete 14 in audible and/or visual format in substantially real time, as described above with respect to block 832 of FIG. 6D (block 822). Training input manager 186 thereafter monitors the GPS data recorded by route and performance recorder 176 as shown at block 824 to determine whether athlete 14 remains on the matched route downloaded from server computer system 42. If training input manager 186 determines that athlete 14 is remaining on the matched route downloaded from server computer system 42, training input manager 186 continues to present comparative split information, as depicted at block 822.

[0145] If, however, training input manager 186 determines that athlete 14 has left the matched route, training input manager 186 further determines at block 826 whether athlete 14 has finished the route, for example, by determining whether athlete 14 has indicated “Stop” utilizing one of input buttons 80 and/or by determining whether a known terminal waypoint of the matched route has been reached. If training input manager 186 determines at block 826 that athlete 14 has not finished the matched route, training input manager 186 attempts to match a new route, as indicated by the process returning to block 804. If, however, training input manager 186 determines at block 826 that athlete 14 has finished the matched route, the process passes to blocks 836 and 840, which have been described.

[0146] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is depicted a block diagram of an exemplary playlist management architecture in accordance with the present invention. For clarity, FIG. 9 illustrates only those portions of server computer system 42 and portable fitness device 12 helpful in gaining an understanding of the invention. As depicted, the playlist architecture includes a server playlist management component 900, a track library 902 containing songs and/or other audio tracks, and a track preferences database 904 residing at or accessible to server computer system 42. The playlist architecture optionally includes an auxiliary track library 906 containing additional songs and/or other tracks that may be accessed to augment the contents of track library 902. Auxiliary track library 906 may reside on a client computer system 44 or at a commercial music distribution service licensed to distribute tracks. In order to comply with copyright laws, access to each track in track library 902 may be restricted by server playlist management component 900 to only those users having a license to the track (e.g., as evidenced the user uploading the track directly from auxiliary track library 906 through selection of a hyperlink provided in a web page served by server playlist management component 900 and HTTP server 214).

[0147] Server playlist management component 900 is coupled for communication by a communication network 910 (e.g., Internet 40 and the wireless WAN) to a client playlist management component 920 residing on portable fitness device 12. Client playlist management component 920 receives a set of substantially real-time inputs 922, which may be provided, for example, by external sources (e.g., server computer system 42 or other web servers) coupled to communication network 910 and/or by readers 160-166. Inputs 922 may include, for example, weather conditions, athletic performance (e.g., pace, heart rate, distance, etc.), surface type (e.g., paved or unpaved), adjacent scenery, and/or grade (e.g., uphill, flat or downhill). Client playlist management component 920 is further coupled to audio storage 66.

[0148] As described in greater detail below, the playlist architecture enables the creation of custom and/or dynamic playlists that will enhance a user's activity (e.g., workout). For example, tracks may be played during the activity to motivate, relax or reward an athlete or establish a desired pace for selected segments of a route.

[0149] With reference now to FIG. 10A, there is depicted an exemplary method of pre-processing an audio track to determine a corresponding activity pace in accordance with the present invention. As depicted, the process begins at block 1000 in response to designation of an audio track to be processed, for example, by a user invoking the uploading of a track to track library 902. The process then proceeds to block 1002, which depicts server playlist management component 900 applying an audio filter 901 to the track to determine a tempo for the track, for example, in beats per minute. Server playlist management component 900 then determines at block 1004 a corresponding pace for at least one athletic activity (e.g., running, hiking, cycling, etc.) based upon the track tempo and an estimated distance traversed per repeated motion (e.g., stride, pedal revolution, etc.) matching the tempo. Server playlist management component 900 next stores the audio track (or at least an identifier thereof) in track library 902 in association with one or more associated paces. Thereafter, the process ends at block 1008.

[0150] Referring now to FIG. 10B, there is depicted a high level logical flowchart of an exemplary method of constructing a user playlist in accordance with the present invention. The process begins at block 1010, for example, in response to a user logged into server computer system 42 and viewing a route in his training journal via a GUI presented by training journal interface 232 invoking a playlist wizard 903 within server playlist management component 900. The process then proceeds to block 1012, which depicts the playlist wizard 903 of server playlist management component 900 calling training journal interface 232 to present a GUI containing a selected view (e.g., an elevation view) of the route. The visual presentation of the route is preferably demarked into a plurality of route segments based upon, for example, substantial changes in route grade, predetermined distances, landmarks adjacent the route, user input, etc. The user may be permitted to change the location on the route of the demarcation between segments, for example, by manipulating the location of a line representing a segment interface utilizing a graphical pointer.

[0151] Next, at block 1014, playlist wizard 903 obtains a pace for each of the route segments comprising the route. For example, playlist wizard 903 may utilize a user-entered pace or a user's historical average pace (for the specific route or overall) as the base pace for the route and, from the base pace, calculate a pace for each route segment based upon the average grade of each route segment. Alternatively, playlist wizard 903 may use one or more paces associated with the route by a workout in a training plan. The pace for each route segment may desirably be graphically indicated on the elevation view of the route with a respective attribute (e.g., color or pattern) and/or numeric label (e.g., presented in a flyover popup label presented when a graphical pointer is positioned over a route segment).

[0152] As depicted at blocks 1016-1018, playlist wizard 903 permits the user to build a playlist for the route by associating one or more tracks from track library 902 and/or auxiliary track library 906, for example, by dragging one or more tracks presented within a picklist to specific locations on the graphical presentation of the route. In addition, playlist wizard 903 may automatically (e.g., in response to user selection of an “Autofill” button with a graphical pointer) associate one or more tracks to portions of route segments not currently having associated tracks by matching (within a range) the pace of each track from track library 902 as determined at block 1004 with the pace of a route segment as obtained at block 1014. This automatic playlist construction may further be informed by user preferences, which may be entered as described below with reference to FIG. 10D.

[0153] The process proceeds from block 1018 to block 1020, which illustrates storing the playlist within the user's personal journal in training journal database 54 such that the beginning of each track is associated with a particular location on the route. As indicated at block 1030, the playlist is optionally published to the community along with the route, for example, in response to a user selecting “Publish” button 496 of FIG. 5B.

[0154] As depicted at blocks 1032 and 1034, when the route is subsequently downloaded to a portable fitness device 12, for example, in response to a input invoking the download or in response to download manager 246 automatically pushing the route to the portable fitness device 12, the playlist is downloaded in association with the route. In this manner, the tracks within the playlist may be played at appropriate points along the route, as described below with reference to FIG. 10C.

[0155] With reference now to FIG. 10C, there is illustrated a high level logical flowchart of a location-based method of presenting audio tracks as a route is traversed in accordance with the present invention. The illustrated process may be performed, for example, by audio presentation module 192 of portable fitness device client 154.

[0156] As illustrated, the process begins at block 1040 and then proceeds to block 1042, which depicts audio presentation module 192 receiving a new GPS reading from GPS reader 160 or route and performance recorder 176. At blocks 1044 and 1046, audio presentation module 192 then determines by reference to route information within internal memory device 62 whether the current GPS reading is within a predetermined range of a point on the route and, if so, whether a track within a playlist is associated with the point on the route. If either of the determinations depicted at blocks 1044 and 1046 is negative, the process returns to block 1042, which has been described. If, on the other hand, both of the determinations at blocks 1044 and 1046 are affirmative, audio presentation module 192 further determines at block 1048 whether or not it is already playing the track associated with the matching point on the route. If so, the process returns to block 1042, which has been described. If, on the other hand, the track is not already being played, audio presentation module 192 plays the track, as illustrated at block 1050.

[0157] As depicted at block 1052, if the route is complete, as indicated, for example, by a user input received by the portable fitness device 12 via input buttons 80, the process ends at block 1054. If the route is not complete, the process returns to block 1042, which has been described.

[0158] Referring now to FIG. 10D, there is depicted a block diagram of an exemplary graphical user interface (GUI) 1060 through which user audio preferences may be entered in accordance with the present invention. GUI 1060 may be presented within a browser interface on client computer 44 by user preferences package 905 of server playlist management component 900, for example, in response to a user establishing an account with server computer system 42 or in response to a user logging into server computer system 42 and entering an indication of a desire to enter playlist preferences.

[0159] As shown, GUI 1060 includes a track library window in which a list of tracks is presented. Entries in the track list may include information such as a track name, track length, genre and corresponding pace (e.g., determined as depicted in FIG. 10A). Of course, entries in the track list may include additional information, such as an artist and/or album name, track price, etc. In response to a user input associated with a track in the track list, for example, a user right-clicking on an entry with graphical pointer 1066 and then making a selection of a “Playlist Preferences” entry from a drop down list, user preferences package 905 causes a playlist preferences window 1064 to be presented within GUI 1060.

[0160] Playlist preferences window 1064 presents a number of GUI components that gather information regarding when the user would want to hear a particular track. In the depicted embodiment, playlist preferences window 1064 includes radio buttons 1068 that the user can select with graphical pointer 1066 to indicate what grade (e.g., uphill, flat, or downhill), activity phase (e.g., warm-up or cool down), tempo influence (e.g., slow down, maintain, or accelerate), or weather (e.g., hot, cold, wet, or windy) the user wants to associate with the selected track. In addition, playlist preference window 1064 includes a text box 1070 and associated “Browse” button 1072 that a user may employ to enter a name of a scenic location or type of scenery with which the user desires to associated the selected track.

[0161] In addition to track specific preferences, user preferences package 905 preferably further collects the user's general track preferences, such as preferred genres of music, preferred activity phases for which presentation of tracks is enabled or disabled, etc., via one or more unillustrated graphical user interfaces. Using one or more of the track-specific and/or general preferences, the playlist architecture of the present invention can dynamically create and present a playlist to a user in association with an activity.

[0162] With reference now to FIG. 10E, there is illustrated a high level logical flowchart of an exemplary method of dynamic playlist management in accordance with the present invention. The depicted process can be performed remotely by client playlist management component 920 of portable fitness device 12, by server playlist management component 900 on server computer system 42 utilizing communication with portable fitness device 12 over communication network 910, or a combination of the two. The depicted method of dynamic playlist management can be performed in response to a user input or automatically as a default mode of operation in the absence of user designation of a particular playlist or user designation of a route with an associated user-constructed playlist.

[0163] As illustrated, the process begins at block 1074 and then proceeds to block 1075, which illustrates playlist management component 900 or 920 receiving a set of substantially real-time inputs 922 from external sources (e.g., server computer system 42 or other web servers) coupled to communication network 910 and/or by readers 160-166 within portable fitness device 12. As described above, the set of inputs 922 can include, for example, weather conditions, athletic performance (e.g., pace, heart rate, distance, etc.), surface type (e.g., paved or unpaved), adjacent scenery, and/or route grade (e.g., uphill, flat or downhill). In response to receipt of inputs 922, playlist management component 900 or 920 determines at blocks 1076, 1082, 1083, and 1084 whether inputs 922 indicate a particular activity phase (e.g., warm-up or cool down), a particular grade (e.g., uphill or downhill), proximity to a particular scenic input, or an environmental (e.g., weather) condition. If not, the process proceeds through page connector A to block 1085, which is described below. If, on the other hand, inputs 922 indicate a particular activity phase, a particular grade, or a particular environmental or scenic input, the process proceeds to blocks 1077-1078.

[0164] Blocks 1077-1078 depict playlist management component 900 or 920 determining whether the detected input has an associated track based upon the athlete's playlist preferences (e.g., playlist preferences entered utilizing GUI 1060 of FIG. 10D) and, if so, whether the general preferences have enabled or disabled playing the track for the particular input. If an associated track is identified and its playing is enabled, the process passes to block 1079, which illustrates a determination of whether or not the associated track is already playing. If so, the process returns to block 1075, which has been described. If not, the process proceeds to block 1080, which illustrates a determination regarding whether or not the track has recently been played, for example, in a user-selectable or predetermined non-repeating interval (e.g., 5 minutes). If so, the process returns to block 1077, representing a determination of whether or not an alternative track is associated with the triggering input. If a determination is made at block 1080 that the associated track determined at block 1077 has not recently been played, the process passes to block 1081.

[0165] Block 1081 illustrates playlist management component 900 or 920 accessing or causing the associated track to accessed, for example, from audio storage 66, track library 902 or auxiliary track library 906. Presentation of the associated track by audio presentation module 192 is then invoked, as depicted at block 1089. Thereafter, the process returns to block 1075, which has been described.

[0166] Returning to block 1085, a determination is made by reference to the pace and/or location or other inputs received at block 1075 whether the activity has been completed. If so, the process depicted in FIG. 10E ends at block 1087. If, however, a determination is made at block 1085 that the activity has not been completed, the process proceeds to block 1088, which depicts playlist management component 900 or 920 selecting a track from audio storage 66 or track library 902 corresponding to the current pace of athlete 14. Playlist management component 900 or 920 then invokes presentation of the selected track, as shown at block 1089. Thereafter, the process returns to block 1075, which has been described.

[0167] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the methods of FIG. 10A-10E have been described with particular reference to use by an athlete 14, it will be appreciated that the playlist management methodologies disclosed herein may be applied more generally to provide audio presentation services based upon a user's environment and/or location. Thus, for example, the services may be advantageously utilized by tourists, persons commuting in cars, buses, trains, etc.

[0168] Referring now to FIG. 11A, there is depicted a high level logical flowchart of an exemplary method of publishing a challenge route to a user community in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the process begins at block 1100, for example, with a user such as an athlete 14 logging into server computer system 42 from a client computer 44 and invoking the display by training journal interface 232 of a particular route in his personal training journal within training journal database 54 that has been traversed by the athlete 14. One exemplary GUI for viewing a traversed route is described above in detail with reference to FIGS. 5A-5B.

[0169] The process then proceeds from block 1100 to block 1102, which depicts the user designating the particular route as a “challenge” route, for example, through interaction with a GUI displayed as a result of the selection of “Publish” button 496 of FIG. 5B utilizing graphical pointer 262. In response to designation of the particular route as a challenge route, route generation and publication module 220 computes a point value for the challenge route, for example, based upon the total distance and cumulative elevation gain of the uphill portions of the route (block 1104). Route generation and publication module 220 then publishes the route in route database 52 for selection and download to the portable fitness devices 12 of other members of the service community. Thereafter, the process ends at block 1108.

[0170] With reference now to FIG. 11B, there is illustrated a high level logical flowchart of an exemplary method of staging the device-assisted traversal of a challenge route in accordance with the present invention. As depicted, the process begins at block 1110 and then proceeds to block 1112, which illustrates training input manager 186 of portable fitness device 12 determining if a user, such as athlete 14, has entered an input (e.g., using input buttons 80) signifying the selection of a challenge route previously downloaded to internal memory device 62 of portable fitness device 12. (The meta-data associated with the route in internal memory device 62 preferably indicates whether a downloaded route is a challenge route.) If not, other processing is performed, as depicted at block 1113.

[0171] In response to a determination by training input manager 186 that a challenge route has been selected for traversal, training input manager 186 further determines at block 1114 whether directions to the starting point should be presented. For example, training input manager 186 may determine if athlete 14 has entered an addition input requesting such directions or has simply not canceled the presentation of such directions. If a determination is made at block 1114 that no directions are needed or desired, the process proceeds to block 1118, which is described below. If, however, a determination is made at block 1114 that directions to the starting point of the route are needed or desired, training input manager 186 calls audio presentation module 192 and/or visual presentation manager 190 at block 1116 to present turn-by-turn audible direction and/or a map to guide athlete 14 to the starting point of the challenge route. This functionality is particularly helpful if the challenge route is off-road.

[0172] The process proceeds from block 1116 to block 1118, which illustrates training input manager 186 determining by reference to the GPS readings provided by GPS reader 160 whether or not athlete 14 has transported portable fitness device 12 to the starting point of the challenge route (e.g., within a positional error range (5 meters) of the starting location). If not, the process returns to block 1114, which has been described. If, however, training input manager 186 determines at block 1118 that athlete 14 has transported portable fitness device 12 to the starting point of the challenge route, the process passes to block 1120.

[0173] Block 1120 depicts training input manager 186 calling audio presentation module 192 to present an audible start message to the user from audio storage 66. For example, the start message may state, “Forward motion will start timing the challenge route.” Following presentation of the start message, training input manager 186 monitors GPS readings provided by GPS reader 160 at block 1122 for forward motion of portable fitness device 12 along the challenge route. When forward motion is detected, the process proceeds to block 1124, which depicts training input manager 186 calling audio presentation module 192 and/or visual presentation manager 190 to present real-time turn-by-turn audible direction and/or a map to guide athlete 14 along challenge route in response to GPS readings provided by GPS reader 160. Training input manager 186 may also present comparative performance or split information as the challenge route is traversed, for example, indicating comparative overall performance or splits with respect to a previous best time for traversing the challenge route (e.g., “You are 10 seconds off of best time”). Presentation of directional assistance continues until training input manager 186 determines an end point of the challenge route. Thereafter, the process ends at block 1128.

[0174] Referring now to FIG. 11C, there is depicted a high level logical flowchart of an exemplary method of presenting the results of a traversal of a challenge route in accordance with the present invention. The process begins at block 1130 and the proceeds to block 1131, which illustrates data recorder module 226 running on server computer system 42 receiving data recorded for a route traversed by a portable fitness device 12 from upload manager 174 running on the portable fitness device 12 and recording the data in an athlete's personal training journal within training journal database 54. Upload manager 174 preferably transmits the data in conjunction with a parameter indicating whether or not the route for the data were collected is a challenge route, permitting data recorder module 226 to determine whether the data is for a challenge route, as shown at block 1132. If the data is not for a challenge route, the process ends at block 1140. If, however, data recorder module 226 determines at block 1132 that the data is for a challenge route, the process proceeds to blocks 1136-1138.

[0175] Block 1136 depicts data recorder module 226 computing feedback regarding the traversal of the challenge route. For example, based upon the route data and other results for the same route contained in training journal database 54, data recorder module 226 may compute an absolute ranking of the total time for the route traversal (e.g., an overall and age-bracketed ranking) and a normalized ranking for the route traversal. The normalized ranking may compensate for factors such as wind speed and direction, athlete age, how long the athlete has been training, and/or temperature to correctly “handicap” diverse environment conditions and athletic abilities. As shown at block 1138, data recorder module 226 then downloads to portable fitness device 12 feedback information regarding the traversal of the challenge route. For example, data recorder module 226 may transmit the absolute and normalized rankings, as well as points earned by the athlete 14 for the traversal of the challenge route and a cumulative point total for all challenge routes traversed by the athlete 14. The feedback data transmitted by data recorder module 226 to portable fitness device 12 are received by training input manager 186 and then presented by visual presentation module 190 and/or audio presentation module 192. The process depicted in FIG. 11C then terminates at block 1140.

[0176] With reference now to FIG. 12A, there is illustrated a high level block diagram of a system architecture that provides nutritional guidance to a user in accordance with the present invention. For clarity, FIG. 12A illustrates only those portions of server computer system 42 and portable fitness device 12 helpful in gaining an understanding of the invention.

[0177] As depicted, the nutritional guidance architecture includes a server computer system 42 and a portable fitness device 12. Server computer system 42 includes a server nutritional assistant 1200 and a meal plan database 1202 containing personal meal plans for subscribers. The personal meal plans may specify, for example, a caloric intake goal and/or other nutritional information (e.g., grams of fats, carbohydrates and sugars, food categories, food “point” value, etc.) on a per-meal or daily basis. Residing at or accessible to server computer system 42 is a restaurant database 904, which contains information regarding geographic locations of restaurants, hours of operation, and menu items available at the restaurants. With respect to menu items, restaurant database 904 preferably indicates an estimated calorie amount and optionally additional nutritional information (e.g., grams of fats, sugars, and total carbohydrates). The nutritional guidance architecture optionally further includes an auxiliary restaurant database 1206 (which may reside on a web server or represent a web portal such as Yahoo!) containing duplicate or additional information that may be accessed to locate restaurants, obtain information (e.g., calories or nutritional information) regarding menu items, and/or populate restaurant database 1204.

[0178] Server nutritional assistant 1200 is coupled for communication by a communication network 1210 (e.g., Internet 40 and the wireless WAN) to a client nutritional assistant 1220 residing on portable fitness device 12. Client nutritional assistant 1220 receives inputs from server nutritional assistant 1200 and presents the inputs via calls to visual presentation module 190 and/or audio presentation module 192.

[0179] As described in greater detail below, the nutritional guidance architecture enables a user (e.g., athlete 14) of portable fitness device 12 to determine menu items conforming to a meal plan that are in proximity to the user's geographic location. The menu items may be selected for presentation to the user based upon the caloric expenditure associated with activities recorded in the user's personal training journal within training journal database 54.

[0180] Referring now to FIG. 12B, there is depicted a high level logical flowchart of an exemplary method by which a client device, such as portable fitness device 12, queries a service for nutritional guidance in accordance with the present invention. The process begins at block 1230 and thereafter proceeds to block 1232, which depicts client nutritional assistant 1220 monitoring the user inputs (e.g., manipulations of inputs buttons 80) of portable fitness device 12 for an input signifying a dining decision query. In response to detection of a user input signifying a dining decision query, the process next passes to block 1234, which illustrates client nutritional assistant 1220 sending a dining decision query to server, such as nutritional assistant 1200 running on server computer system 42, via communication network 1210. The dining decision query contains the geographic location of portable fitness device 12 (e.g., as indicated by a recent GPS reading obtained from GPS reader 160) may optionally further contain or be interpreted as containing a parameter indicating one or more proximities (e.g., 1 mile, 3 miles, 5 miles) to the current geographic location.

[0181] As shown at block 1236, client nutritional assistant 1220 then iterates until a response to the dining decision query is received from server nutritional assistant 1200 via communication network 1210, for example, in the form of an XML document. In response to receipt of the response, client nutritional assistant 1220 presents the response to the user at block 1238 by making appropriate calls to visual presentation module 190 and/or audio presentation module 192. In one embodiment, the XML response document includes a picklist containing one or more entries that each identifies a restaurant name, a distance (e.g., in miles or kilometers) to the restaurant from the current geographic location of portable fitness device 12, and a number of menu choices available at that restaurant that comply with the user's meal plan. User selection of an entry of the picklist may invoke further display of a map to the restaurant from the current geographic location of portable fitness device 12 and/or images of the available menu items.

[0182] Client nutritional assistant 1220 then determines at block 1240 if a user input has been received (e.g., via input buttons 80) indicating that the user desires to receive additional results from more distant restaurants. If not, the process ends at block 1242. If so, client nutritional assistant 1220 increases the proximity parameter at block 1244 and issues another dining decision query with the increased proximity parameter, as shown at block 1234. Thereafter, the process continues as has been described.

[0183] With reference now to FIG. 12C, there is illustrated a high level logical flowchart of an exemplary method by which a server device responds to a query for nutritional guidance in accordance with the present invention. The depicted process begins at block 1250 and thereafter proceeds to block 1252, which illustrates server nutritional assistant 1200 waiting until a dining decision query is received from a client device, such as portable fitness device 12 or client computer system 44. In response to receipt of the dining decision query, server nutritional assistant 1200 accesses restaurant database 1204 and/or auxiliary restaurant database 1206 at block 1254 to identify one or more restaurants within at least one zone of proximity to the client device (e.g., portable fitness device 12).

[0184] As shown at block 1256, for at least one restaurant, and preferably for each restaurant identified at block 1254 that is within the proximity zone, server nutritional assistant 1200 then determines by reference to restaurant database 1204 and/or auxiliary restaurant database 1206 which menu items at the restaurant, if any, can be eaten by the user, given the time of day (i.e., an indication of whether the meal is a breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack) and the nutritional information (e.g., caloric intake goal, grams of fats, sugars and carbohydrates, food “point” values, etc.) specified in the user's meal plan stored within meal plan database 1202. Server nutritional assistant 1200 may further take into consideration caloric expenditure estimated from recent activity (e.g., same or previous day) recorded for the user within training journal database 54. In this manner, caloric expenditure can be compensated for or “rewarded” by the inclusion of higher calorie menu item selections. Server nutritional assistant 1200 then downloads its response to the dining decision query to the client device (e.g., portable fitness client 12) via communication network 1210, as shown at block 1258. Thereafter, the process terminates at block 1260.

[0185] While the invention has been particularly shown as described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the present invention has been described with respect to an exemplary software configuration in which software performing certain functions of the present invention resides on a server computer system of a service provider (e.g., of a subscription service), those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in alternative embodiments, such software may alternatively reside on a client computer system, such as client computer system 44, and/or on portable fitness device 12.

[0186] Furthermore, while the present invention has been described with reference to tracking and visualizing the performance and/or route of an athlete, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may also be applied to tracking and visualizing the location and movement of other persons, such as children or criminals under electronic supervision, or objects.

[0187] Moreover, although aspects of the present invention have been described with respect to a data processing system executing program code that directs the functions of the present invention, it should be understood that present invention may alternatively be implemented as a program product for use with a data processing system. Program code defining the functions of the present invention can be delivered to a data processing system via a variety of signal-bearing media, which include, without limitation, non-rewritable storage media (e.g., CD-ROM), rewritable storage media (e.g., a floppy diskette or hard disk drive), and communication media, such as digital and analog networks. It should be understood, therefore, that such signal-bearing media, when carrying or encoding computer readable instructions that direct the functions of the present invention, represent alternative embodiments of the present invention.