Providing interaction with broadcasted media content

• US 10,186,161 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2015
• Issued: 01/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Watterson, Eric C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ganesan, Sundhara
• Application Number:
  US14/836,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20160059079A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0064 the pivoting movement being in a plane inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, e.g. a step and twist movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0242 with speed variation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/76 Wind conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/40 respiratory characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/18 for skiing
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/02 : with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising

Abstract

Providing interaction with media content includes broadcasting media content to a display device, associating a downloadable fitness program with the media content with synchronization indicators to synchronize the downloadable fitness program with the media content, and controlling an operational parameter of an exercise machine based on physical characteristics of an environment depicted in the media content.

Claims

1. A method for providing interaction with media content, comprising:

broadcasting media content to a display device, wherein the media content includes a competitor or an actor without communication with an audience viewing the media content;

while broadcasting media content to the display device, associating a downloadable fitness program with the media content with synchronization indicators to synchronize the downloadable fitness program with the media content; and

controlling an operational parameter of an exercise machine based on physical characteristics of an environment depicted in the media content.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the media content depicts a live competition between non-users.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving data about exercise parameters of a user on the exercise machine.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising causing at least one of the exercise parameters to be displayed with the media content in the display device.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising comparing multiple users based at least in part on the exercise parameters in the media content.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising comparing the user with an individual in the media content based at least in part on the exercise parameters by displaying a comparison in the media content.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the downloadable fitness program includes an instruction set to adjust a resistance of the exercise machine, adjust an incline of the exercise machine, adjust a speed of the exercise machine, or combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the media content is a scheduled fitness program.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein broadcasting media content to the display device includes streaming the media content to the display device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the media content is a documentary.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the media content is a fictional film.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the downloadable fitness program to the media content with the synchronization indicators to synchronize the downloadable fitness program with the media content includes broadcasting the synchronization indicators with the media content.

13. A system for providing interaction with media content, comprising:

a memory and processor, the memory comprising program instructions that cause the processor to;

broadcast media content to a display device, wherein the media content includes a competitor or an actor unaware of an audience viewing the media content;

while broadcasting media content to the display device, attach a fitness program to the media content that controls at least one operational parameter of an exercise machine based on a physical characteristic of an environment depicted in the media content; and

synchronize the fitness program with the media content.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the programmed instructions further cause the processor to receive at least one exercise parameter of a user.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the programmed instructions further cause the processor to:

compare a user with an individual depicted in the media content; and

display a comparison in the display device with the media content.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the media content depicts a live competition.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the media content is a scheduled fitness program.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the programmed instructions further cause the processor to synchronize the fitness program with the media content by providing multiple synchronization indicators with the media content.

19. An exercise machine, comprising:

a receiver to receive a signal indicating an existence of a downloadable fitness program, the downloadable fitness program being synchronized with media content while the media content is presented in a display device where competitors or actors of the media content do not interact with an audience viewing the media content;

an input mechanism to receive input to download the downloadable fitness program; and

a processor to execute the downloadable fitness program while the media content is presented in the display device;

wherein the downloadable fitness program includes an instruction set that changes at least one operational parameter of the exercise machine based on a physical characteristic of an environment depicted in the media content.

20. The exercise machine of claim 19, wherein the at least one operational parameter includes one or more of adjusting a resistance of the exercise machine, adjusting an incline of the exercise machine, and adjusting a speed of the exercise machine.