GPS Segment Matching for Athletic Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for comparing athletic performance over the same geographical terrain are inefficient and imprecise, requiring manual synchronization of GPS devices and estimation of start and stop points, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A system that defines and matches segments using GPS information, allowing users to select start and finish points on a map, convert GPS data into abstracted forms, and compare efforts against stored segments, determining loose or tight matches based on percentage overlap and crossing of virtual start and finish lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual synchronization of GPS devices is used to compare athletic performance, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that receives GPS data from multiple athletes, processes it, and performs automatic segment matching. This mediator handles the complex tasks of data synchronization and comparison, eliminating the need for manual coordination while ensuring precise measurement through automated algorithms that calculate segment overlap percentages and identify matching performance segments.
2Device complexity
If manual synchronization of GPS devices is used to compare athletic performance, then device complexity is reduced, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of synchronizing GPS devices and estimating start/stop points with an automated electronic system. The server automatically processes GPS coordinates, performs spatial and temporal matching algorithms, and generates performance comparisons without human intervention, dramatically reducing time consumption while maintaining accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If automatic segment matching is implemented, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the athletic course into multiple geographic segments with defined start and finish points. This segmentation allows the system to perform precise matching by calculating the percentage overlap between recorded GPS tracks and predefined segments, enabling accurate performance comparison while distributing the computational complexity across multiple manageable segment comparisons rather than one complex overall comparison.
4Loss of time
If automatic segment matching is implemented, then time efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining geographic segments with start and finish points before athletic activities occur. This allows the server to quickly match recorded GPS data against pre-established segments using efficient spatial algorithms, significantly improving time efficiency. The complex segment definition and storage are performed in advance, so that during actual performance comparison, only straightforward matching operations are needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Defining and matching segments is disclosed. In some embodiments, defining and matching segments includes receiving a user defined segment via a user interface input; and determining a matching effort (e.g., which can include a set of Geographic Positioning System (GPS) data) to the segment using a processor. In some embodiments, the data associated with the effort includes one or more of the following: heart rate, speed, time, and power. In some embodiments, defining and matching segments further includes storing data associated with the matching effort with the segment. In some embodiments, the user defined segment is based at least in part in uploaded GPS data. In some embodiments, the user defined segment is based at least in part on selected points on a map application.