Systems and methods of power output measurement

Abstract

The present invention pertains to systems and methods of individual power output measurement. One embodiment relates to a pressure sensing device configured to be mounted on the bottom surface of a shoe. The device includes a sensor, a wireless communication system, a housing, and a mounting system. A second embodiment relates to a direct power measurement system including a pressure sensing device, a computer module, and a display module. In a bicycling application of the system, the device is mounted on the bottom surface of a shoe so as to measure applied pressure between at least one of the rider's shoe and corresponding bicycle pedal. The computing module mathematically converts the measured pressure as a function of time to a value of power exerted by the rider. In addition, the computing module may utilize the measured pressure as a function of time to compute the rider's cadence (pedal revolutions per unit of time). Various well-known communication systems such as RF may be integrated within the device and computing module to facilitate data transmission. Similar systems may be used to calculate an individual's power output during other activities including but not limited to running, rowing, walking, etc. A third embodiment relates to a method for calculating individual power output during an athletic activity. The method includes sensing pressure at a particular location, calculating or computing power, and displaying power.

1 . An athletic activity pressure sensing device comprising: 
 a pressure sensor disposed in a particular location to receive pressure during an athletic activity, wherein the particular location is related to the athletic activity, and wherein the pressure sensor is configured to convert received pressure into electrical data;    a wireless communication system electrically coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to wirelessly transmit the electrical data;    a housing substantially enclosing the wireless communication system while facilitating the electrical coupling between the pressure sensor and the wireless communication system; and    a mounting system configured to mechanically couple the athletic activity pressure sensing device to an athletic article in a manner that facilitates the disposal of the pressure sensor at the particular location.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor further includes a top housing, a sensor plate, a bottom housing, and an electrical coupler, and wherein the top housing, sensor plate, and bottom housing include a plurality of holes to facilitate a portion of the mounting system.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  further including a power supply that provides electrical power to at least one of the pressure sensor and the wireless communication system.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the athletic activity is cycling, the athletic article is a shoe, and the particular location is between the athletic article and a pedal of a corresponding bicycle.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the athletic article is coupled to a portion of a user's body that is primarily utilized in the performance of the athletic activity.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication system is disposed on a printed circuit board mechanically coupled and housed within the housing, and wherein the wireless communication system includes a power supply.  
     
     
         7 . A system for measuring athletic power output during an athletic activity comprising: 
 a pressure sensing device configured to measure pressure at a particular location, wherein the particular location is related to the athletic activity, and wherein the pressure sensing device converts the measured pressure into data and wirelessly transmits the data;    a computing module configured to wirelessly receive the data and mathematically convert the data into a value of power output according to a specific algorithm; and    a display module configured to display the power output value, wherein the display module is disposed in a second location that allows a user to view the display during the athletic activity.    
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the pressure sensing device is mechanically coupled to an athletic article that is coupled to a portion of a user's body that is primarily utilized in the performance of the athletic activity.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the pressure sensing device comprises: 
 a pressure sensor disposed in a particular location to receive pressure during the athletic activity, wherein the particular location is related to the athletic activity, and wherein the pressure sensor is configured to convert received pressure into electrical data;    a wireless communication system electrically coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to wirelessly transmit the electrical data;    a housing substantially enclosing the wireless communication system while facilitating the electrical coupling between the pressure sensor and the wireless communication system; and    a mounting system configured to mechanically couple the pressure sensing device to an athletic article in a manner that facilitates the disposal of the pressure sensor at the particular location.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the computing module is housed within the pressure sensing device so as to directly calculate power output at the particular location.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the athletic activity is cycling, the particular location is between a shoe and a pedal of a corresponding bicycle, and the second location is on the handlebars of the bicycle.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the computer module further includes a wireless receiver, a power supply, and a processor.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the computer module and display module are housed as a single unit.  
     
     
         14 . A method for calculating individual power output during an athletic activity comprising the acts of: 
 sensing pressure at a particular location, wherein the particular location is related to the athletic activity;    computing power as a function of time through the application of a particular mathematical algorithm; and    displaying power to a user in a manner that allows the user to view the power while performing the athletic activity.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the act of sensing pressure at a particular location further includes the acts of: 
 receiving a force at the particular location;    measuring the received force;    converting the measured force into electrical data; and    transmitting the electrical data.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the act of computing power as a function of time through the application of a particular mathematical algorithm further includes the acts of: 
 receiving data corresponding to the sensed pressure; and    calculating power as a function of time.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the act of calculating power is performed continuously so as to continuously update the computed power.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the athletic activity is cycling, the particular location is between the athletic article and a pedal of a corresponding bicycle, and the power is displayed on an appropriately accessible area of the corresponding bicycle.  
     
     
         19 . A method of dynamically bracketing a metric during an athletic activity comprising the acts of: 
 providing a user performing an athletic activity that affects at least one of heart rate, power output, muscle fatigue, and body heat;    continuously measuring a metric during the performance of the athletic activity, wherein the metric is associated with at least one of the performance level of the user at the athletic activity and the exertion level of the user;    receiving a bracket request from the user at a particular time during the performance of the athletic activity;    assigning a bracket of metric values corresponding to a set of values substantially centered around the measured metric value at the particular time at which the bracket request was received.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the metric is heart rate.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the metric is power output.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 11  further includes the act of alerting the user if the user falls outside of the assigned bracket of metric values.