Bicycle computer having position-determining functionality

Abstract

A bicycle computer having position-determining functionality is described. In an implementation, an apparatus includes a housing configured to attach to a bicycle. The apparatus has one or more modules to store training metrics of a user of the bicycle as a function of geographic position.

1 . A bicycle computer comprising:
 a display;   a position receiver;   a communications module operable to wirelessly communicate with a second bicycle computer of another rider to receive current position and metrics data from the second bicycle computer;   a memory operable to store one or more modules; and   a processing system coupled to the display, position receiver, and memory, the processing system operable to execute the one or more modules to:
 determine a current position of the bicycle computer, 
 store metrics data in memory, 
 communicate information to the second bicycle computer, the communicated information including the determined current position and stored metrics data of the bicycle computer, and 
 cause navigation information to be presented by the display, the navigation information including a map, the determined current position of the bicycle computer, and the communicated current position of the second bicycle computer. 
   
     
     
         2 . The bicycle computer as described in  claim 1 , wherein the communications module is further operable to wirelessly communicate with a team car, wherein the communicated information includes the determined current position of the bicycle computer. 
     
     
         3 . The bicycle computer as described in  claim 2 , wherein the stored metrics data includes at least one of distance, time, speed, incline or altitude gain of a plurality of positions. 
     
     
         4 . The bicycle computer as described in  claim 3 , wherein the one or more modules are further configured to store the metrics data in memory as a function of position and output the stored metrics data at a similar position at a later time. 
     
     
         5 . The bicycle computer as described in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more modules are further operable to poll the second bicycle computer for information, the polled information including a current position of the second bicycle computer, wherein the navigation information presented on the display includes the polled current position of the second bicycle computer. 
     
     
         6 . The bicycle computer as described in  claim 5 , wherein the second bicycle computer is polled for information using a challenge and response technique. 
     
     
         7 . The bicycle computer as described in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more modules are further operable to determine a current position of a second bicycle computer capable of communicating with the bicycle computer. 
     
     
         8 . The bicycle computer as described in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more modules are further configured to calculate an arrival time to a destination, wherein the communicated information includes the calculated arrival time and the position of the destination. 
     
     
         9 . The bicycle computer as described in  claim 1 , wherein the communications module is further operable to wirelessly communicate with an aid station. 
     
     
         10 . The bicycle computer as described in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more modules are configured to present heart rate, cadence and power output on the display. 
     
     
         11 . A method for presenting navigation information on a bicycle computer, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) determining, using a processing system associated with the bicycle computer and coupled to a position receiver, a current position of the bicycle computer, wherein the processing system is operable to execute one or more modules stored in a memory;   b) storing, using the processing system, metrics data in the memory;   c) wirelessly communicating, using the processing system coupled with a communications module, with a second bicycle computer of another rider to receive current position and metrics data from the second bicycle computer;   d) wirelessly communicating, using the processing system coupled with a communications module, information to the second bicycle computer, wherein the communicated information includes the determined current position and stored metrics data of the bicycle computer; and   e) causing, using the processing system and a display associated with the bicycle computer, navigation information to be presented by the display, wherein the presented navigation information includes a map, the determined current position of the bicycle computer, and the communicated current position of the second bicycle computer.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of wirelessly communicating, using the communications module, with a team car, wherein the communicated information includes the determined current position of the bicycle computer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the stored metrics data includes at least one of distance, time, speed, incline or altitude gain of a plurality of positions. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of storing, using the one or more modules, the metrics data in memory as a function of position and outputting the stored metrics data on the display at a similar position at a later time. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of polling, using the wherein the one or more modules, the second bicycle computer for information, wherein the polled information includes a current position of the second bicycle computer, wherein the navigation information presented on the display includes the polled current position of the second bicycle computer. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of polling the second bicycle computer for information using a challenge and response technique. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of determining, using the wherein the one or more modules, a current position of a second bicycle computer capable of communicating with the bicycle computer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of calculating, using the wherein the one or more modules, an arrival time to a destination, wherein the communicated information includes the calculated arrival time and the position of the destination. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the communications module is further operable to wirelessly communicate with an aid station. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of presenting, using the wherein the one or more modules, heart rate, cadence and power output on the display.