Method for Operating a Training Device and Training Device

Abstract

A method for operating a training device is provided. According to the method, a property of a user using the training device during a training session is automatically determined, and a fitness level of the user is automatically determined from the user property. Based on the fitness level of the user a performance of a virtual opponent is automatically defined, and information representing the performance of the virtual opponent is output to the user.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 368,412, filed Jul. 28, 2010, and from European Patent Application No. EP 10007620.7, filed Jul. 22, 2010, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.[0002]The present invention relates to a method for operating a training device and especially to a training device adapted to perform the method.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Training or exercising, for example running, jogging, Nordic walking or biking, has become very popular in recent years as it is considered to contribute improvement to physical health. However, many people who start training abandon the training already after a few training sessions due to lack of motivation. Training in a group may be more motivating, but this requires training at a certain place and at a certain time which is not always possible, and it requires somebody who organizes such training in a group. Furthermore, training in a group may be ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]According to an embodiment, the performance of the virtual opponent is defined additionally based on a fitness level of another predetermined person. The performance of the virtual opponent is scaled based on the fitness level of the user and the fitness level of the predetermined person. Thus, the user can compete with another person having a different fitness level via the virtual opponent and it depends on the form of the day if the user performs better than the virtual opponent or not. This may motivate the user to keep on training.

[0012]By representing the performance of the virtual opponent to the user as described above, the user may get highly motivated to keep on training or even to make more training to keep up or to perform even better than the virtual opponent. Furthermore, each training session can be considered as a competition of the user and the virtual opponent, wherein the virtual opponent has in general the same fitness level as the user. This increases fun and motivation during exercising and makes it possible to compete with another person even if the other person is not on the fitness level.

[0014]The training device may comprise a mobile device, for example a mobile phone, a mobile navigation system, a mobile music player, or a mobile pulse monitor. Furthermore, the training device may comprise a mobile device with a screen or without a screen having audio output only, or may comprise a headset for measuring breathing or a heart beat and providing earphones as the output unit. Such mobile devices are lightweight and robust and therefore adapted to be carried around by the user during training. Furthermore, mobile devices like mobile phones or mobile music players are already widely in use during exercising and training for entertainment. Therefore, integrating the above-described method into the above-described mobile devices can be achieved at low cost.

Problems solved by technology

However, many people who start training abandon the training already after a few training sessions due to lack of motivation.

Training in a group may be more motivating, but this requires training at a certain place and at a certain time which is not always possible, and it requires somebody who organizes such training in a group.

Furthermore, training in a group may be on the other hand annoying or frustrating if the fitness level of the participants of the group varies widely.

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