Sports monitoring system with location beacon
Apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring the performance of an individual during a fitness activity are disclosed. A method of monitoring the performance of a participant engaged in a fitness activity includes receiving a GPS signal during the fitness activity at a portable fitness device used by the participant; determining participant performance data based on the received GPS signal; at a stationary position beacon, transmitting location data associated with the location of the stationary position beacon; at a mobile participant receiver supported by the participant, receiving the location data from the stationary position beacon; and modifying the participant performance data based on the data received from the stationary position beacon.
1. A system for monitoring the performance of a participant engaged in a competitive race having a predetermined route, the system comprising:
a plurality of stationary position beacons positioned at predetermined locations along the predetermined route, each stationary position beacon comprising a race mat;
a plurality of transmitters, each transmitter coupled with one of the plurality of stationary position beacons; and
a designated race controller configured to communicate timing data to at least one of the plurality of stationary position beacons,
wherein each transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit time-stamped location data associated with the competitive race to a portable fitness device when the participant crosses over the race mat.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the time-stamped location data comprises a location of one of the plurality of stationary position beacons and a time at which the time-stamped location data is transmitted.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the time-stamped location data contributes to a determination of participant performance data.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the participant performance data comprises at least one of location, speed, pace, and distance.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the time-stamped location data contributes to a determination of a precise location of the participant.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein each race mat comprises a substantially flat member disposed on a ground of the predetermined route.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein each race mat extends across a width of the predetermined route.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein one of the plurality of transmitters is embedded in each race mat.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein one of the plurality of transmitters is disposed on each race mat.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein each stationary position beacon further comprises a tower coupled with the race mat.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein each stationary position beacon further comprises a memory, a display, and a user input.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein each transmitter comprises an RFID transmitter.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the designated race controller is configured to operate the plurality of stationary position beacons.
14. A method of monitoring the performance of a participant engaged in a fitness activity, the method comprising:
receiving a GPS signal during the fitness activity at a portable fitness device;
determining performance data of the participant based on the GPS signal;
receiving a signal from a stationary position beacon;
modifying the performance data based on the signal from the stationary position beacon; and
sending an alert to a spectator based on the modified performance data,
wherein the alert indicates that the participant is within a predetermined metric of reaching the spectator.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising receiving an alert from the spectator based on the modified performance data.
16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising receiving an alert from the spectator based on the signal from the stationary position beacon.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the alert comprises a visual alert.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the alert comprises an audible alert.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the alert comprises a tactile alert.
20. The method of claim 14 , wherein the alert comprises a pre-recorded message.
21. The method of claim 14 , wherein the predetermined metric comprises a distance between the participant and the spectator.
22. The method of claim 14 , wherein the alert is sent when the participant passes the stationary position beacon.
23. The method of claim 14 , wherein the modified performance data comprises at least one of location, speed, pace, and distance.
24. A method of monitoring the performance of a participant engaged in a fitness activity, the method comprising:
receiving a GPS signal during the fitness activity at a portable fitness device;
determining performance data of the participant based on the GPS signal;
receiving a signal from a stationary position beacon;
modifying the performance data based on the signal from the stationary position beacon; and
sending a tactile alert to a spectator based on the modified performance data.