Auditory feedback device and method for swimming speed

Abstract

There is provided an auditory feedback swim training device for use by a swimmer. The device includes a flow meter connectable to the swimmer and configured to measure a flow rate of fluid while the swimmer is swimming. A control unit determines a speed or distance of the swimmer from the measured flow rate. A selection tool is in operative communication with the control unit and configured to receive a user input corresponding to desired swimming performance data. An auditory feedback device is wearable by the swimmer while swimming and in operative communication with the control unit. The control unit is configured to derive the desired swimming performance data from the determined speed of the swimmer and generate a feedback signal corresponding to the derived swimming performance data. The auditory playback device is configured to project an audible signal corresponding to the feedback signal while the swimmer is swimming.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An auditory feedback swim training device for use by a swimmer, the device comprising:
 a flow meter connectable to the swimmer and configured to measure a flow rate of fluid moving relative to the flow meter while the swimmer is swimming;   a control unit operatively coupled to the flow meter and configured to determine a speed of the swimmer from the measured flow rate;   a selection tool in operative communication with the control unit and configured to receive a user input corresponding to desired swimming performance data; and   an auditory feedback device wearable by the swimmer while swimming and in operative communication with the control unit;   the control unit being configured to derive the desired swimming performance data from the determined speed of the swimmer and generate a feedback signal corresponding to the derived swimming performance data;   the auditory feedback device being configured to project an audible signal corresponding to the feedback signal while the swimmer is swimming.   
     
     
         2 . The auditory feedback swim training device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the flow meter includes a housing and a turbine rotatably coupled to the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The auditory feedback swim training device recited in  claim 2 , wherein the control unit determines the speed of the swimmer based on measured rotations of the turbine relative to the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The auditory feedback swim training device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to determine the speed of the swimmer in at least two measurement units. 
     
     
         5 . The auditory feedback swim training device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is capable of generating a feedback signal corresponding to the speed of the swimmer in at least two languages. 
     
     
         6 . The auditory feedback swim training device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to generate the feedback signal in response to the swimming speed matching a predetermined threshold speed. 
     
     
         7 . The auditory feedback swim training device recited in  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined threshold speed relates to an upper speed target. 
     
     
         8 . The auditory feedback swim training device recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a storage device configured to store data related to the speed of the swimmer; and   a transmitter for communicating the stored data to a remote computing device.   
     
     
         9 . The auditory feedback swim training device recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stroke detector in communication with the control unit and configured to determine individual swimming strokes based on changes in determined swim speed;   the stroke detector communicating a stroke signal to the control unit in response to detection of each swimming stroke;   the control unit being configured to generate the feedback signal in response to receiving the stroke signal.   
     
     
         10 . The auditory feedback swim training device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the auditory feedback device includes bone conduction headphones. 
     
     
         11 . A method of providing auditory feedback to a swimmer, the method comprising the steps of:
 measuring a flow rate of water relative to the swimmer while the swimmer is swimming;   receiving user input regarding desired swimming performance data;   correlating the flow rate into the desired swimming performance data; and   communicating the swimming performance data to the swimmer while the swimmer is swimming.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the measuring step includes using a flow meter having a housing and a rotatable turbine and measuring the rotations of the turbine relative to the housing.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the correlating step includes converting the measured rotations of the turbine into a swimming speed.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the user input relates to a desired unit of measurement for a measured swimming speed. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the desired unit of measurement is miles per hour. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of communicating the swimming performance data includes using bone conduction headphones wearable by the swimmer while swimming. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of storing the swimming performance data. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of communicating the swimming performance data to a remote location. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of detecting individual swimming strokes while the swimmer is swimming from the measured flow rate of the water. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of detecting individual swimming strokes includes:
 analyzing changes in the swimming speed.