Adaptive Watch

Abstract

A watch or other type of portable electronic console that employs a number of different functions in order to improve its usability. The watch may, for example, allow a user to connect the watch to one or more remote electronic devices, such as an electronic performance sensor or MP3 player. The watch then displays information related to the connected electronic devices. Still further, the watch may allow a user to control the operation of one or more connected remote electronic devices. Thus, if the watch is connected to a remote speed / distance monitor employing a calibration variable, then the watch may allow the user to adjust the calibration variable. The watch also provides a multi-tiered menu for accessing its various functions. Each operational mode in the first tier relates to a broad category of different functions of the watch, and contains one or more operational submodes in a second tier. The submodes in the second tier are for performing specific functions related to the generic category of functions identified by the first-tier operational mode. Still further, the watch allows a user to conveniently select how the information provided by the watch is displayed. Moreover, the watch includes a power save function that reduces the power consumption of the watch when it is not in use.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] Various aspects of the invention relate to an adaptive watch for athletic use. More particularly, various aspects of the invention relate to a watch or other portable electronic console that allows a user to connect the watch to one or more sensors or other remote electronic devices, such as a heart rate monitor, a speed / distance monitor, a blood pressure monitor, a global positioning device or even a digital music player, such that the watch displays information relating to the connected electronic devices. With particular regard to use with a speed / distance monitor, some aspects of the invention relate to a watch that allows a user to manually change a calibration variable for the speed / distance monitor. Still further, some aspects of the invention relate to a watch that allows the user to configure the display of the information provided by the watch, while still other aspects of the invention relate to a watch that enters into a power save mode when...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] Once a remote electronic device has been connected to the watch or other type of portable electronic console, then the watch or other type of console displays the information relevant to the electronic device. For example, if the watch is connected to a digital audio player then the watch will display the status information related to that digital audio player, such as the compressed digital audio file that it is currently playing, a listing of stored compressed digital audio files, the volume at which a file is to be played, and the like. The watch may also allow a user to control the operation of the digital audio player by manipulating control buttons on the watch. Alternately, if a watch is connected to an athletic performance sensor, such as a speed / distance monitor, then the watch will display the information gathered by the sensor. Again, the watch may additionally allow the user to control the operation of the connected sensor. For example, if the connected remote sensor is a speed / distance monitor employing a calibration variable, then the watch may allow a user to adjust the calibration variable for the speed / distance monitor through the watch.

[0011] Still further, an athletic watch or other portable electronic console according to various embodiments of the invention allows a user to configure the display of the information it provides. It may also employ a multi-tier menu, by which a user can more conveniently view information provided by the watch and control the operation of the watch. More particularly, the watch may employ two or more operational modes in a first tier, with each operational mode in the first tier then having one or more operational submodes in a second tier. Thus, if a user desires to employ two different submodes of operation within a single operational mode, the user need not scroll through any operational modes or submodes other than those within that single first-tier mode of operation. Still further, a watch according to various embodiments of the invention may enter into a power save mode when not in use, or when desired by the user. Still further, an athletic watch or other type of electronic portable console according to various embodiments of the invention may automatically calculate various data values to be used by an athlete, such as heart rate zones.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, if a user with a watch employing a speed / distance monitor also wishes to monitor his or her heart rate or monitor his or her blood pressure, the user cannot add a heart rate monitor or blood pressure monitor for use with his or her watch.

Accordingly, an athlete who wishes to measure multiple performance indicators must purchase and wear a corresponding number of watches, which is impractical and uncomfortable.

Also, as watches that measure athletic performance become more sophisticated, the amount of information gathered and displayed by these watches increases.

The use of these watches has correspondingly grown more complex and difficult for a user to master.

In particular, it may be difficult for a user to conveniently distinguish specific performance data that the user wishes to monitor from other performance data provided by the watch.

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