Patents by Inventor Willoughby H. Walling

Willoughby H. Walling has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10311462
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media relating to a user interface, that may for example, initiate transmission of a stream of audio data comprising a plurality of audio tracks from a music streaming service, and receive athletic activity data relating to a performance of an athletic activity by a user during an activity time period that includes a plurality of time intervals. For each of the plurality of time intervals, an athletic activity level is determined from the athletic activity data, a target audio track intensity corresponding to the athletic activity level is determined, and a playback of a streamed audio track corresponding to the target audio track intensity is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold L. Lindstrom, Jr., Willoughby H. Walling, Christopher L. Andon
  • Patent number: 9919186
    Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to a system, method, apparatus, and computer readable media configured for monitoring a user performing an exercise and generating a avatar of the user and a virtual shadow, wherein the virtual shadow illustrates proper form of the exercise. The example embodiments may further be configured for determining an amount of overlap between the virtual avatar and the virtual shadow, and generating a feedback score based on the amount of overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa Aragones, Willoughby H. Walling, Christina S. Self, Xavier Jacob, Geoff Northcott
  • Publication number: 20170239577
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to rewarding users of an electronic game for real-world physical activity. Further aspects relate to altering virtual items based upon physical activity. An electronic game may comprise or otherwise relate to an online world (such as a “Virtual World”). Users may be represented through customized graphical representations, such as avatars. An account of a user (or entity) may be associated a “virtual region.” A threshold level of real-world physical activity may result in obtaining a reward that may be associated with a virtual item. A reward may be configured to result in: (1) altering visual appearance of a virtual item within a virtual region; (2) altering a virtual characteristic of a virtual item, such that the first user may engage in at least one additional virtual activity using that virtual item; and/or (3) acquiring a new virtual item for a virtual region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Willoughby H. Walling
  • Patent number: 9669311
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to rewarding users of an electronic game for real-world physical activity. Further aspects relate to altering virtual items based upon physical activity. An electronic game may comprise or otherwise relate to an online world (such as a “Virtual World”). Users may be represented through customized graphical representations, such as avatars. An account of a user (or entity) may be associated a “virtual region.” A threshold level of real-world physical activity may result in obtaining a reward that may be associated with a virtual item. A reward may be configured to result in: (1) altering visual appearance of a virtual item within a virtual region; (2) altering a virtual characteristic of a virtual item, such that the first user may engage in at least one additional virtual activity using that virtual item; and/or (3) acquiring a new virtual item for a virtual region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Willoughby H. Walling
  • Publication number: 20170031650
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to methods and systems for playback of adaptive music corresponding to an athletic activity. A user input is received from a user selecting an existing song for audible playback to the user, the song comprising a plurality of audio layers including at least a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. Augmented playback of the existing song to the user is initiated by audibly providing the first layer but not the second layer. Physical activity information derived from a sensor corresponding to a real-time physical activity level of a user is received. If the physical activity level of the user is above a first activity level threshold, the augmented playback of the existing song is continued by audibly providing the first layer and the second layer to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Justin Fraga, Hal Lindstrom, Willoughby H. Walling, Christopher L. Andon, Kristopher J. Schultz, Eric S. Mcgary
  • Publication number: 20160346604
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media relating to a user interface, that may for example, initiate transmission of a stream of audio data comprising a plurality of audio tracks from a music streaming service, and receive athletic activity data relating to a performance of an athletic activity by a user during an activity time period that includes a plurality of time intervals. For each of the plurality of time intervals, an athletic activity level is determined from the athletic activity data, a target audio track intensity corresponding to the athletic activity level is determined, and a playback of a streamed audio track corresponding to the target audio track intensity is initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Hal Lindstrom, Willoughby H. Walling, Christopher L. Andon
  • Publication number: 20160279475
    Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to a system, method, apparatus, and computer readable media configured for monitoring a user performing an exercise and generating a avatar of the user and a virtual shadow, wherein the virtual shadow illustrates proper form of the exercise. The example embodiments may further be configured for determining an amount of overlap between the virtual avatar and the virtual shadow, and generating a feedback score based on the amount of overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Teresa Aragones, Byron G. Merritt, Christina S. Self, Willoughby H. Walling, Xavier Jacob, Geoff Northcott, Robert Thomsen
  • Patent number: 9358426
    Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to a system, method, apparatus, and computer readable media configured for monitoring a user performing an exercise and generating a avatar of the user and a virtual shadow, wherein the virtual shadow illustrates proper form of the exercise. The example embodiments may further be configured for determining an amount of overlap between the virtual avatar and the virtual shadow, and generating a feedback score based on the amount of overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa Aragones, Byron G. Merritt, Christina S. Self, Willoughby H. Walling, Xavier Jacob, Geoff Northcott, Robert Thomsen
  • Publication number: 20160144280
    Abstract: Systems and methods to track users' progression through an activity simulation, which may resemble related sporting events, are provided. One or more performance levels with respect to one or more measurable parameters may be monitored during the same or different times. Physical activity may be monitored. Exceeding a first performance level may provide an option to join a sponsoring organization and exceeding a second threshold (for the same or different parameter of interest) may result in transmitting a redemption code to a contact point for an option to obtain a physical item. The physical item may mimic equipment used in a simulated activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Andy Pawlowski, Willoughby H. Walling
  • Publication number: 20160101321
    Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to a system, method, apparatus, and computer readable media configured for monitoring a user performing an exercise and generating a avatar of the user and a virtual shadow, wherein the virtual shadow illustrates proper form of the exercise. The example embodiments may further be configured for determining an amount of overlap between the virtual avatar and the virtual shadow, and generating a feedback score based on the amount of overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Teresa Aragones, Willoughby H. Walling, Christina S. Self, Xavier Jacob, Geoff Northcott
  • Patent number: 9289683
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to rewarding users of an electronic game for real-world physical activity. Further aspects relate to altering virtual items based upon physical activity. An electronic game may comprise or otherwise relate to an online world (such as a “Virtual World”). Users may be represented through customized graphical representations, such as avatars. An account of a user (or entity) may be associated a “virtual region.” A threshold level of real-world physical activity may result in obtaining a reward that may be associated with a virtual item. A reward may be configured to result in: (1) altering visual appearance of a virtual item within a virtual region; (2) altering a virtual characteristic of a virtual item, such that the first user may engage in at least one additional virtual activity using that virtual item; and/or (3) acquiring a new virtual item for a virtual region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Willoughby H. Walling
  • Patent number: 9283429
    Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to a system, method, apparatus, and computer readable media configured for monitoring a user performing an exercise and generating a avatar of the user and a virtual shadow, wherein the virtual shadow illustrates proper form of the exercise. The example embodiments may further be configured for determining an amount of overlap between the virtual avatar and the virtual shadow, and generating a feedback score based on the amount of overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa Aragones, Willoughby H. Walling, Christina S. Self, Xavier Jacob, Geoff Northcott
  • Publication number: 20120315986
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to rewarding users of an electronic game for real-world physical activity. Further aspects relate to altering virtual items based upon physical activity. An electronic game may comprise or otherwise relate to an online world (such as a “Virtual World”). Users may be represented through customized graphical representations, such as avatars. An account of a user (or entity) may be associated a “virtual region.” A threshold level of real-world physical activity may result in obtaining a reward that may be associated with a virtual item. A reward may be configured to result in: (1) altering visual appearance of a virtual item within a virtual region; (2) altering a virtual characteristic of a virtual item, such that the first user may engage in at least one additional virtual activity using that virtual item; and/or (3) acquiring a new virtual item for a virtual region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: Willoughby H. Walling
  • Publication number: 20120315987
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to rewarding users of an electronic game for real-world physical activity. Further aspects relate to altering virtual items based upon physical activity. An electronic game may comprise or otherwise relate to an online world (such as a “Virtual World”). Users may be represented through customized graphical representations, such as avatars. An account of a user (or entity) may be associated a “virtual region.” A threshold level of real-world physical activity may result in obtaining a reward that may be associated with a virtual item. A reward may be configured to result in: (1) altering visual appearance of a virtual item within a virtual region; (2) altering a virtual characteristic of a virtual item, such that the first user may engage in at least one additional virtual activity using that virtual item; and/or (3) acquiring a new virtual item for a virtual region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: Willoughby H. Walling