Physiological rate coaching by modifying media content based on sensor data

Abstract

Techniques for providing physiological rate coaching by modifying media content based on sensor data are described. Disclosed are techniques for receiving data representing a target physiological rate, selecting a subset of files having data representing media contents to be presented based on the target physiological rate, processing sensor data received from one or more sensors to determine a difference from the target physiological rate, and modifying a presentation of the subset of files based on the difference. In some examples, the rate of presentation is modified. In some examples, the presentation sequence is modified. In some examples, a fading in of one media content and a fading out of another media content may be presented.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 receiving data representing a target physiological rate;   selecting a subset of files having data representing media contents to be presented at a speaker based on the target physiological rate;   processing sensor data received from one or more sensors to determine a difference from the target physiological rate; and   modifying a presentation of the subset of files based on the difference.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the modifying the presentation of the subset of files based on the difference comprises modifying a rate of the presentation of the subset of files. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the modifying the presentation of the subset of files based on the difference comprises:
 determining the difference is greater than a threshold while one of the subset of files is being presented; and   reducing an amplitude of an audio signal associated with the one of the subset of files in coordination with increasing an amplitude of another audio signal associated with another of the subset of files.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the modifying the presentation of the subset of files based on the difference comprises:
 determining the difference is greater than a threshold;   terminating the presentation of the subset of files; and   presenting a file having data representing another media content, the file not being one of the subset of files.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 comparing the difference from the target physiological rate while one of the subset of files is being presented to another difference from the target physiological rate while another of the subset of files is being presented;   determining that the difference from the target physiological rate is smaller than the another difference from the target physiological rate; and   adding the one of the subset of files to a collection of files having data representing other media contents, the collection of files being associated with the target physiological rate and being stored in a memory.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the memory is configured to be accessible by a plurality of users. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subset of files is selected from a collection of files having data representing other media contents, the collection of files being associated with the target physiological rate and being received from a node. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving data representing a fitness plan, the fitness plan configured to specify a plurality of planned physiological rates over a time period; and   determining the target physiological rate based on the fitness plan.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving data representing a target activity rate;   processing another sensor data received from the one or more sensors to determine another difference from the target activity rate; and   modifying the presentation of the subset of files based on the difference and the another difference.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target physiological rate comprises a heart rate. 
     
     
         11 . A system, comprising:
 a memory configured to store data representing a target physiological rate, and to store sensor data received from one or more sensors; and   a processor configured to select a subset of files having data representing media contents to be presented based on the target physiological rate, to process the sensor data to determine a difference from the target physiological rate, and to modify a presentation of the subset of files based on the difference.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein one of the subset of files has data representing a media content having a rhythm rate, and the target physiological rate falls within a predetermined range of the rhythm rate. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein one of the subset of files has data representing a media content having a rhythm rate, and a doubling of the target physiological rate falls within a predetermined range of the rhythm rate. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to modify a rate of the presentation of one of the subset of files having data representing a media content such that a rhythm rate of the media content substantially equals the target physiological rate. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine that the difference is above a threshold while one of the subset of files is being presented, and to reduce an amplitude of an audio signal associated with the one of the subset of files in coordination with increasing an amplitude of another audio signal associated with another of the subset of files. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the processor is further configured to add the one of the subset of files to a collection of files having data representing other media contents, the collection of files being associated with not achieving the target physiological rate. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to compare the sensor data to an interruption pattern to determine a match, and to terminate the presentation of the subset of files. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the interruption pattern comprises the difference from the target physiological rate falling below a threshold. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to present information associated with the difference at a user interface. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein one of the subset of files is selected by a user.