System and method for utilizing a bicycle computer to monitor athletic performance

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for utilizing a bicycle computer to monitor athletic performance. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a housing component at least partially defining an enclosure. A local area wireless transceiver capable of receiving a signal from a sensor coupled to a bicycle may be located within the enclosure. A performance engine may also be located within the enclosure and may be communicatively coupled to the local area wireless transceiver. In operation, the performance engine may utilize the signal from the sensor to generate a performance metric like current speed, distance traveled, or cadence. The system may also include an output mechanism such as a display device associated with the housing component. The output mechanism or display device may be capable of presenting the performance metric to a user. In preferred embodiments, the system may also include a wide area wireless transceiver located within the enclosure. This wide area wireless transceiver may allow the user to send and receive information across a geographically disperse network such as a cellular telephone network.

1 . A performance monitoring system comprising: 
 a housing component at least partially defining an enclosure;    a local area wireless transceiver located within the enclosure and operable to receive a signal from a bicycle motion sensor;    a performance engine located within the enclosure and communicatively coupled to the local area wireless transceiver, the performance engine operable to utilize the signal to generate a performance metric;    a display device associated with the housing component and operable to present the performance metric to a user; and    a wide area wireless transceiver located within the enclosure and operable to receive an incoming telephone call for the user.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , farther comprising a cradle formed to receive the housing component, the cradle comprising a coupling mechanism formed to securely mount the cradle to a bicycle.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising the sensor, wherein the sensor comprises a local area Bluetooth communication device operable to communicate the signal to the local area wireless transceiver.  
   
   
       4 . (Original The system of  claim 1 , wherein a cellular telephone comprises then housing component, the local area wireless transceiver, the performance engine, the display device, and the wide area wireless transceiver.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the local area wireless transceiver is operable to communicate information using a spread spectrum technology in a frequency range greater than 2.3 GHz.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wide area wireless transceiver is operable to communicate information using a code division multiple access technology.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the performance metric is selected form a group consisting of a cadence metric, a speed metric, and a distance metric.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heart rate sensor operable to communicate heart rate information for the user to the local area wireless transceiver, wherein the performance engine is further operable to utilize the heart rate information to generate a heart rate metric.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an audio player engine located within the enclosure, the audio player engine operable to play a file format selected from the group consisting of an MP3 file, a .WAV file, a MIDI file, and a .AU file.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a headset formed to couple to an ear of the user, the headset comprising a speaker assembly, a microphone assembly, and a wireless transceiver operable to participate in a Bluetooth Pair with the local area wireless transceiver.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a headset formed to couple to an ear of the user, the headset comprising a speaker assembly, a microphone assembly, and a wireless transceiver operable to participate in a Bluetooth pair with the local area wireless transceiver, and an audio player engine located within the enclosure, the audio player engine operable to play a file format selected from the group consisting of an MP3 file, a .WVAV file, a MDI file, and a .AU file, to generate a player signal representing music, wherein the local area wireless transceiver is operable to output the player signal via the Bluetooth pair to the headset such that the user can listen to the music.    
   
   
       12 . A method of athletic performance monitoring, comprising: 
 receiving a signal corresponding to movement of a bicycle component;    generating a performance metric from the signal;    utilizing an output device to communicate the performance metric to a user;    receiving an incoming call signal indicating an incoming call to the user; and    outputting a call indicator with the output device to inform the user of the incoming call    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising storing a collection of performance metric information representing athletic performance generated during a period time.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 receiving a request to communicate the collection of performance metric information;    and    communicating at least a portion of the collection of performance metric information in response to the request.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising utilizing a local area transceiver to wirelessly communicate the collection of performance metric information.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising accepting the incoming call.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , fierier comprising: 
 receiving Caller Identification information associated with the incoming call; and    presenting the Caller Identification information on the output device.    
   
   
       18 . A performance monitoring system, comprising: 
 a sensor comprising an output device and a mounting mechanism operable to secure the sensor to a member, the sensor operable detect a movement relatively to the member and to communicate a signal via the output device in response to detecting the movement;    a wireless telephone having a performance engine and a first input operable to receive the signal and a second input operable to receive an indication of an incoming telephone call, the performance engine operable to generate a performance metric in response to receipt of the signal; and    a cradle assembly formed to interact with a housing component of the wireless telephone and to secure the wireless telephone proximate to the sensor.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the member comprises a portion of a bicycle and the cradle is coupled to a different portion of the bicycle.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the cradle assembly comprises a fastening mechanism operable to secure the cradle assembly to a human body part.