WO2010038198A1

WO2010038198A1 - Sports performance monitoring apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2010038198A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/054271
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Anthony Yuen
Original assignee: Dayton Technologies Limited
Priority date: 2008-09-30
Filing date: 2009-09-30
Publication date: 2010-04-08

Abstract

A sports performance monitoring apparatus comprises a mobile sports performance logging device (100) and a data processing and presentation device (200), the mobile sports performance logging device (100) comprises a micro-controller (120) which is arranged to log instantaneous sporting data, to transmit the logged sporting data to the data processing and presentation device (200), and to overwrite the transmitted logged sporting data with newly logged sporting data, the instantaneous sporting data being transmitted from a sports performance sensor, the data processing and presentation device (200) comprises a storage means for storing the logged sporting data, a data processor (220) for processing the logged sporting data, and an information display (230) for displaying the processed logged sporting data The apparatus enables the functionality of a simple and dedicated sports monitor to be expanded substantially as and when necessary while maintaining the compactness, low-cost advantages of a specific purpose sports monitor.

Description

SPORTS PERFORMANCE MONITORING APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sports performance monitoring apparatus, and more particularly, to mobile sports performance monitoring apparatus such as bicycle computers, runner's computers, swimmer's computers and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A sports performance monitoring apparatus ("sports monitor" or "sports computer" in short) is widely used for collecting sporting data and then to perform data analysis for display based on the collected sporting data. Typically collected sporting data include, for example, physical performance data such as running speed, acceleration, step width, and running cadence in the case of a runner's computer; cycling speed, cycling cadence, and cycling power in the case of a bicycle computer; stroke count, stroke time, stroke count per lap, swimming speed, and stroke span in the case of a swimmer's computer.

The usually collected physiological data include, for example, heart-rate, electrocardiogram ("ECG") signals, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood oxygen level of a sportsperson when performing physical exercise. The collected data may be used for analyzing the physical performance characteristics of a sportsperson to tailor make training programs, to evaluate the strength and weakness, to understand the physiological behaviors, patterns, and/or to evaluate or extrapolate the physiological and performance limits of the sportsperson.

In order to provide more comprehensive information for evaluation, extrapolation and correlation, sports monitors usually include peripheral accessories such as barometer, compass, humidity meter, tilt meter, wind meter, etc to provide environmental information.

Mobile sports monitors are usually carried by a sportsperson either on the body or on a moving object powered by the sportsperson. As such, they are compact and lightweight in order to minimize the deadweight and motion resistance. For example, a typical good bicycle computer would weigh less than 80 grams and has a volume of less than 30cm³, which is about bite-size.

Due to these general constraints, a mobile sports monitor is usually equipped with only minimum or essential components necessary to perform a minimum specific functionality, and do not provide other useful or cosmetic functions. For example, a typical sports monitor usually only includes a basic micro-controller with built-in memory for data logging and display. The logged data are usually overwritten when new data are logged, as the available memory space is severely limited. The micro-controller is only a simple micro-processor programmed with basic functions for power saving, and the display is typically a monochrome dot-matrix LCD display adapted primarily for simple textual display. However, such minimum functionality may not meet the requirements of the more sophisticated sportspersons or their support team such as the coach or crew members. For example, a sports monitor with a small memory could not store enough data for sports performance profile analysis. Yet, a substantial increase in memory space would have a consequence of a more bulky monitor, a more powerful processor, a more powerful battery and a more expensive device.

Therefore, it would be advantageous if there could be provided sports monitors that would mitigate the functionality limitations of conventional apparatus while maintaining the advantages of a special purpose device, such as low cost, low-weight, easy to use and compact.

In this specification, the term 'bicycle computer' is used to describe a purpose dedicated mobile sports monitor specifically preconfigured for monitoring cycling sporting data, and does not mean a general purpose computer with programming terminals or keyboards to permit installation of bicycle application programs.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a sports performance monitoring apparatus comprising a mobile sports performance logging device and a data processing and presentation device; wherein the mobile sports performance logging device comprises a micro-controller which is arranged to log instantaneous sporting data, to transmit the logged sporting data to the data processing and presentation device, and to overwrite the transmitted logged sporting data with newly logged sporting data, the instantaneous sporting data being transmitted from a sports performance sensor; and wherein the data processing and presentation device comprises a storage means for storing the logged sporting data, a data processor for processing the logged sporting data, and an information display for displaying the processed logged sporting data. This apparatus enables the functionality of a simple and dedicated sports monitor to be expanded substantially as and when necessary, for example, as required by a more demanding sportsperson or supporting crew, while maintaining the low-cost, compactness, and low-cost advantages of a specific purpose sports monitor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile sports performance logging device comprising a micro-controller, first and second communication interfaces connected to the micro-controller and a display screen, wherein the first communication interface is arranged to provide a signal communication channel so that sporting data collected by a sports performance sensor is transmitted to the micro-controller during use through the signal communication channel, the second communication interface is arranged to provide a data communication channel between the micro-controller and an external data processing and presentation device, the external data processing and presentation device comprising a mass data storage and a microprocessor, and the micro-controller is arranged to log the sporting data collected by the sports performance data collector and to process the logged sporting data for display on the display screen in a limited number of preset modes of information display; characterized in that the micro-controller is arranged to transmit stored data to the external data processing and presentation device while logging new sporting data. This provides a very versatile performance monitoring apparatus which retains the simplicity of a special purpose sports monitor while providing the advantages of a more sophisticated and high powered data processing and displaying device at the same time.

In an embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a communication frontend device for replaying sensed signals forwarded by a sensor to the micro-controller, wherein the communication frontend device comprises a frontend processor.

These and other features of the invention will be explained in further detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DARWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, Figure 1 is a perspective view depicting a bicycle computer mounted on a mounting assembly,

Figure 1 A is a perspective view of the mounting assembly of Figure 1 ,

Figure 1 B is a perspective view depicting the bicycle computer of Figure 1 ,

Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of the bicycle computer of Figure 1 B, Figure 2A is a schematic block diagram of the RF Module of Figure 2,

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a bicycle performance monitoring apparatus according to an aspect of this invention,

Figure 3A is a schematic block diagram showing the data processing and presentation device of Figure 3 in more detail,

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention of a mobile runners performance logging device,

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a runner's performance monitoring apparatus incorporating a mobile runners performance logging device of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an application of the present inventions, and

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the apparatus of Figures 1 to 3 in use.

DETAILED DESCRI^PTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figures 1 & 2, there is depicted a bicycle computer 100 illustrating an example of a mobile sports performance logging device which incorporates an aspect of the present invention. The bicycle computer is for logging cycling performance data during cycling exercise and comprises a display screen 102 for displaying performance data for viewing by the cycler. The performance information displayed on the display is typically real-time or instantaneous performance information, such as the speed, cadence, and power calculated from the logged data. The main components of the bicycle computer are housed within a hard plastic housing 110 having a display window which occupies a major portion of the front surface of the plastic housing. The display is an LCD screen adapted for textual display and the display could be toggled sequentially between different predefined display modes to be explained below.

The bicycle computer 100 is adapted for mounting on a bicycle to log cycling data during race or exercise and therefore comprises a mounting assembly 180 for mounting the bicycle computer on the body of a bicycle. The mounting assembly comprises a seat 182 for mounting detachably on the body of a bicycle and a moulded plastic receptacle 184 for detachably receiving the bicycle computer. The receptacle also includes a latching mechanism to releasably secure the bicycle computer on the receptacle during normal cycling operations. The latching mechanism is arranged such that the bicycle computer is pivotally moveable relative to the receptacle about a hinge axis when in latching engagement, and such that the relative movements will bring about sequential toggling between the various performance information display modes due to the presence of a toggling switch arrangement on the underside of the housing. The housing is also under spring bias to urge it to return to the toggle neutral position to prepare for the next toggling movement to toggle the display modes.

Referring to the schematic block diagram of Figure 2 and the application schematic of Figure 7, a bicycle computer 100 and three sensors are attached to a bicycle. The first sensor 150 is a speed sensor comprising a motion sensor that is attached to the bicycle wheel for obtaining speed data, the second sensor is a cadence sensor 152 attached to the crank wheel for obtaining power data, and the third sensor is a power sensor 154 that is attached to the pedal crank to obtain power data. Each of the sensors comprises a radio frequency (RF) transmitter arranged to transmit the detected sporting data or signals wirelessly to the bicycle computer.

The bicycle computer comprises a micro-controller 120, an LCD display 102 and an RF module 130. The RF module is an example of a communication interface for establishing communication before the sensors and the micro-controller and comprises a slave controller 132 and an RF receiver 134. A schematic block diagram of a basic RF module is illustrated in Figure 2a. The RF receiver is arranged to receive the sporting data transmitted by the sensors and to output the data to the slave controller. The slave controller is a low-cost processor, for example a 4-bit microprocessor, which is arranged to identify the source sensor of the received data and to forward the sensor identification data together with the received sporting data or signals to the micro-controller. The main micro-controller 120 is an 8- or 16-bit microprocessor which is configured to operate as a main- or master- controller of the bicycle computer. Specifically, the micro-controller is arranged to log the received sporting data, to process the logged data with reference to the data source as differentiated by the sensor identity, and to display the processed information according to predetermined display modes. Due to cost and size constraints, only the built-in memory of the micro-controller is provided for data logging and temporary storage. The stored data will be overwritten by newly logged data.

The micro-controller is preprogrammed with algorithms or formulae to process the sporting data according to the data source, that is, the sensor identity. For example, the micro-controller is preprogrammed to utilize data received from the speed sensor to calculate the RPM (revolution per minute), speed, distance, and/or other information for display on the LCD display. In order to maximize the display screen on a small computer housing so as to provide easy visual access to a user within a short visual contact time, the LCD display occupies a major or substantial portion of the computer housing. To minimize costs and power consumption, the LCD display is of the dot-matrix type having a screen size of about 1.5cm x 2 cm, and is adapted primarily for textual display. To supply power to operate the bicycle computer while maintaining a compact device size, a CR 2032 button cell battery 126 is provided. In addition, the micro-controller comprises a clock module 128 and is configured to always return to display current time after a user selected display mode has been shown on screen for a predetermined time, say 10 seconds. The bicycle computer also includes a battery charging port and a battery manager, as an example of battery management system, to cater for the use of rechargeable batteries.

The modes and format of display are preset in the micro-controller 120 and are selectable by a user upon operation of a toggle switch that is mounted on the rear of the bicycle computer housing. As mentioned above, the toggling switch is activated when the bicycle computer housing is fully and/or firmly pressed against the mounting assembly. When the toggling switch is activated, the toggling switch will transmit a signal corresponding to a request for change to the micro-controller, and the micro-controller will change the display mode according to a predetermined sequence of display modes. A toggle switch is generally preferred in a sports computer because of the ease of use and the structural simplicity, although there is associated inconvenience that the display modes have to be changed sequentially.

The bicycle computer also includes a communication port 142, as an example of a data communication interface, to provide data communication connection between the micro-controller and an external data processing and presentation device (the "DPP device"). The communication port enables data to be exchanged between the micro-controller and the DPP device 200 when a communication path has been established between the bicycle computer and the DPP device. Specifically, the micro-controller will transmit logged sporting data, or other data forwarded by the bicycle computer, to the DPP device upon request. The micro-controller is configured to continue to receive and log sporting data from the sensors, and to continue display of information on the basic monochrome dot-matrix display, while in data communication with the DPP device.

Figure 3A is an exemplary block diagram illustrating the components of a basic DPP device, which includes a communication port 210, a micro-processor 220, a graphic display 230, and a telecommunications frontend 240. The data communication port is provided to interface with the data communication port of the bicycle computer. The interface could be by wired connection or wireless. The telecommunications frontend is provided to facilitate data communication with external parties or device. The DPP device is equipped with a much more powerful micro-processor, such as a 32-bit or 64-bit micro-processor, to provided substantially expanded processing power to perform various complicated algorithms. The DPP is programmed with instructions, commands and programs containing communication protocols for communication with the micro-controller in order to facilitate bi-directional data communication. The DPP device is also equipped with a high-quality, high-resolution graphic display, for example a high resolution LCD display with backlight illumination, for outdoor operation, to enable display of more sophisticated information screens. The DPP is equipped with mass data storage, for example, memory size exceeding 100 Mb to store all relevant data forwarded by the bicycle computer.

For example, the telecommunications module may be Bluetooth ®, Wi-Fi, Internet, public mobile phone network, or other communications network enabled.

An example of a suitable DPP device is a mobile phone, a smart phone, a 3-G enabled mobile phone, an i-phone ®, i-pod ®, Blackberry, etc installed with an application program. In general, the application program includes a set of programmed instructions or commands for sending to the bicycle computer to request data or information and for processing data received from the bicycle computer for display on the high resolution display. Data communication between the bicycle computer and the DPP will start, continue, or terminate depending on the instructions of the DPP, which is configured as a master device.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a second embodiment of a bicycle performance apparatus illustrating another aspect of the invention. The invention includes a bicycle computer (as an example of a sports computer) in combination with a mobile phone as an example of a DPP.

Although the present invention has been illustrated with reference to embodiments of a bicycle computer and a DPP in the context of cycling sports, it will be appreciated that the teaching and descriptions above are applicable to other forms of sports computers without loss of generality. However, different sensors will be used for monitoring of different sports and different algorithms will be required for data processing and displays accordingly. In particular, the block diagram of Figure 2, Figure 2A, and Figure 3 are equally applicable to other sports computers or sports monitoring apparatus in general.

Referring to Figure 2, in addition to the basic functions to be performed by a basic bicycle computer or sports monitor, the bicycle computer or sports monitor generally depicted in Figure 2 may include, as preferred embodiments, modules which provide other information, for example, physiological and environmental, or physical data. For example, a barometer or pressure module could be provided so that the atmospheric pressure could be logged; a temperature module could be optionally included to facilitate logging of the ambient temperature; a relative humidity module could be provided to log the relative humidity during exercise; a GPS module may be provided to enable a user to track his path and direction; a Bluetooth module may be provided to facilitate inter-device communication; and a small memory module may be provided to expand the memory of the basic sports monitors.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a further embodiment of the present invention in the form of a runner's computer. This runner's computer is worn by a sportsperson and is attached to a chest strap for attaching to the body of a sportsperson. This runner's computer 400 is another exemplary form of sports computers incorporating the block diagram of Figure 2, including the optional modules which are to be selected.

Figure 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention in which the runner's computer 400 of Figure 4 is combined with a DPP device to form a sports performance monitoring apparatus adapted for capturing running data. In this embodiment, in addition to providing the usual data capturing options, the runner's computer may provide additional physiological data sensors, for example, sensors to capture data relating to blood pressure, blood sugar level, blood oxygen level, temperature, heart rate, ECG signals and other relevant data which would be useful for monitoring and/or evaluating the physical or performance parameters of a sportsperson. Furthermore, an optional radar sensor 600 is provided on the runner's computer to enable a quick detection of obstacles ahead of the running person to avoid colitions.

Figure 6 depicts a further embodiment of the present invention in which the apparatus is equipped with GPS and GSM communication facilities so that the captured data as well as other relevant data of the sportsperson, including the location data of the sportsperson, could be transmitted to the outside world by way of GPS communication via a satellite, or through public mobile communication networks.

While the present invention has been explained with reference to various specific purposes sports monitors, it would be appreciated that the principles and teachings disclose in this specification are equally applicable to other sports monitors or sports monitoring apparatus with expanded processing power, without loss of generality. LIST OF NUMERALS

100 Bicycle Computer

102 Display Screen

110 Housing

120 Micro-controller

124 Communication Port

126 Battery

128 Clock Module

130 RF Module

132 Slave Controller

134 RF Receiver

142 Communication Port

150 Speed Sensor

152 Cadence Sensor

154 Power Sensor

180 Mounting Assembly

182 Seat

184 Moulded Receptacle

200 DPP

210 Communication Port

220 Micro-processor

230 Graphic Display

240 Telecommunications Front End

300 Sports Apparatus

400 Runner's Computer

500 Runners Monitor

600 Radar Sensor

Claims

Claims:

1. A sports performance monitoring apparatus comprising a mobile sports performance logging device and a data processing and presentation device; wherein the mobile sports performance logging device comprises a micro-controller which is arranged to log instantaneous sporting data, to transmit the logged sporting data to the data processing and presentation device, and to overwrite the transmitted logged sporting data with newly logged sporting data, the instantaneous sporting data being transmitted from a sports performance sensor; and wherein the data processing and presentation device comprises a storage means for storing the logged sporting data, a data processor for processing the logged sporting data, and an information display for displaying the processed logged sporting data.

2. A monitoring apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein the mobile sports performance logging device and the data processing and presentation device are connected by a data communication interface, the data logged by the mobile sports performance logging device being transmitted to the data processing and presentation device via the data communication interface.

3. A monitoring apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the data communication interface is arranged to support wireless data communication between the mobile sports performance logging device and the data processing and presentation device, the data communication interface supporting for example infra-red, Bluetooth^® or other wireless data communication protocols.

4. A monitoring apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the mobile sports performance logging device comprises a display screen, the micro-controller is arranged to analyze the instantaneously logged sporting data and to display information relating to the result of the analysis on the display screen of the mobile sports performance logging device.

5. A monitoring apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the micro-controller is arranged to display the result of analysis on logged sporting data in a limited number of display modes, the display modes being selectable by a user by a toggling switch.

6. A monitoring apparatus according to any of Claims 5 to 7, wherein the display screen of the mobile sports performance logging device is a monochrome dot-matrix display adapted primarily for textual information display, and the display of the data processing and presentation device is a color graphic display.

7. A monitoring apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the data processing and presentation device comprises a mobile data telecommunication means adapted for data communicating with a public data communication network.

8. A monitoring apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the mobile sports performance logging device and the data processing and presentation device are in separate modules.

9. A monitoring apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the data processing and presentation device are programmable and reprogrammable with performance monitoring applications by a user, and the performance monitoring applications permits a user to select a mode of display without following a predetermined sequence.

10. A monitoring apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the mobile sports performance logging device comprises mounting means for mounting on a moving object the sporting data of which is being collected, the moving object includes a bicycle, a boat, a surf board, a yacht, a runner, a swimmer, a trail walker, or the like.

11.A mobile sports performance logging device comprising a micro-controller, first and second communication interfaces connected to the micro-controller and a display screen, wherein

the first communication interface is arranged to provide a signal communication channel so that sporting data collected by a sports performance sensor is transmitted to the micro-controller during use through the signal communication channel,

the second communication interface is arranged to provide a data communication channel between the micro-controller and an external data processing and presentation device, the external data processing and presentation device comprising a mass data storage and a microprocessor, and

the micro-controller is arranged to log the sporting data collected by the sports performance data collector and to process the logged sporting data for display on the display screen in a limited number of preset modes of information display;

characterized in that the micro-controller is arranged to transmit stored data to the external data processing and presentation device while logging new sporting data.

12.A mobile sports performance logging device according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the micro-controller is arranged to process newly logged sporting data while delivering the stored data to the external data processing and presentation device.

13.A mobile sports performance logging device according to Claim 12, characterized in that the micro-controller is arranged to display on the display screen information relating to the newly logged sporting data while under cooperative interaction with the external data processing and presentation device.

14. A mobile sports performance logging device according to Claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the micro-controller is arranged to overwrite the stored data after the stored data have been delivered to the external data processing and presentation device.

15.A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding Claims 11 to 14, wherein the micro-controller is arranged to cooperatively interact with the external data processing and presentation device to substantially expand the effective available data storage capacity upon such cooperative interaction.

16.A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding Claims 11 to 15, wherein the micro-controller is arranged to cooperatively interact with the external data processing and presentation device to substantially expand the effective available processing power upon such cooperative interaction.

17.A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding Claims 11 to 16, wherein the display screen of the mobile sports performance logging device is a dot matrix display adapted primarily for textual display, and the external data processing and presentation device comprises a graphic display screen; characterized in that the micro-controller is arranged to transmit the logged sporting data to the external data processing and presentation device for display on the graphic display screen while the mobile sports performance logging device and the external data processing and presentation device are under cooperative interaction.

18.A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding Claims 11 to 17, wherein the display screen of the mobile sports performance logging device is a monochrome display, and the external data processing and presentation device comprises a color graphic display screen; characterized in that micro-controller is arranged to transmit the logged sporting data to the external data processing and presentation device for display on the color graphic display screen while the mobile sports performance logging device and the external data processing and presentation device are under cooperative interaction.

19.A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding Claims 11 to 18, wherein the micro-controller is arranged to temporarily stored logged sporting data in a solid state memory built-in to the micro-controller, and to overwrite the stored logged data by newly logged sporting data.

20. A mobile sports performance logging device according to Claim 19, wherein the effective available data storage capacity of the solid state memory does not exceed 10 kB.

21. A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding Claims 11 to 20, wherein the monitor comprises a molded housing having a front side and a back side, the display screen occupying a dominant portion of the front side and toggle switches for toggling between the various modes of information display on the display screen being on the back side of the molded housing.

22.A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding Claims 11 to 21 , wherein the monitor is packaged in a bite-size or pocket size molded housing.

23.A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding Claims 11 to 22, wherein the monitor further comprises other data sources, the data sources include a combination of one or more of GPS receiver, pressure sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, memory.

24.A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding Claims 11 to 23, further comprising a radio-frequency ("RF") communication module, the RF communication module being arranged to receive the sporting data collected by the sports performance sensor.

25.A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding

Claims 11 to 24, wherein the micro-controller is further programmed to log physiological data of a person, the physiological data comprising one or a combination of temperature, heart rate, electrode-cardiogram signals, blood oxygen level, blood sugar level, blood pressure.

26.A mobile sports performance logging device according to Claim 25, where the physiological data of a person are transmitted from a sensor or sensors attached to the person, the sensors including one or a combination of temperature sensor, heart-rate monitor, ECG monitor, blood oxygen level, blood sugar sensor, blood pressure sensor.

27.A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding Claims 11 to 26, wherein the RF communication module is further configured to receive the physiological data of the person, the physiological data being transmitted by the sensors by RF means.

28.A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding

Claims 11 to 27, wherein the molded housing is adapted for wearing by a person during exercise or for mounted on a moving sporting object such as a bicycle; and wherein the micro-controller is arranged to log the sports performance data of that person or that moving object during use.

29.A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding Claims 11 to 28, wherein the external data processing and presentation device is a mobile data telecommunication apparatus such as a mobile phone, an i-pod, a net-book computer, a Blackberry ^®, and the micro-controller is configured to communicate the logged data with a public communication network such as the Internet, mobile telephone network, mobile data communication network via the external data processing and presentation device;

30. A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding Claims 11 to 29, wherein the mobile sports performance logging device is a bicycle computer, and the sports performance sensor includes one of or a combination of a speed sensor, a power sensor, a cadence sensor.

31. A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding Claims 11 to 30, wherein the mobile sports performance logging device is powered by a single button battery cell, such as a CR2032 type of button battery cell.

32.A mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding Claims 11 to 32 and comprises a communication frontend device for relaying sensed signals forwarded by a sensor to the micro-controller, wherein the communication frontend device comprises a frontend processor.

33.A mobile sports performance logging device according to Claim 32, wherein the communication frontend device is configured to identify an individual source sensor from a plurality of sensors, and a is arranged to forward the sensed signals together with sensor identification information to the micro-controller for processing thereby.

34.A sports performance monitoring apparatus comprising a mobile sports performance logging device according to any preceding Claims 11 to 33 and the external data processing and presentation device, wherein the external data device and the mobile sports performance logging device are detachable modules.

35.A sports performance monitoring apparatus according to Claim 34, wherein the external data procession device is a mobile telecommunications device such as a mobile phone, smart phone, i-pod, Blackberry, net book computer with Wi-Fi or the like.