Methods and systems for controlling an exercise apparatus using a portable remote device

• US 20020022551A1
• Filed: 02/02/2001
• Published: 02/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Icon-Ip Pty Limited
• Inventors: Ashby, Darren C., Watterson, Scott R., Dalebout, William T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,997,852 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/009 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled in synchronism with visualising systems, e.g. hill slope
• 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 2071/0072 Limiting the applied force, torque, movement or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0081 Stopping the operation of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0641 with a marker advancing in function of the exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0677 Input by image recognition, e.g. video signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/06 User-manipulated weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• 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 22/0076 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 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/025 electrically, e.g. D.C. motors with variable speed control
• 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 22/201 : for moving a support element in reciprocating translation, i.e. for sliding back and forth on a guide track
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 : Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/56 : electrically folded and erected
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 : Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 : Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 : Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 : Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 : Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 : Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 : Microphones
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/107 : Resisting devices being of the same kind
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 : with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/30 : Maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/685 : for electronic devices, e.g. phone, PDA, GPS device, notebook
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/00 : Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 : blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 : calorie expenditure
• 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 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/06 : for rowing or sculling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/18 : for skiing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0054 : Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping A63B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 : based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 : specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 : Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

A portable system retrieves one or more exercise programs from a remote communication system that provides motivational content for a user exercising upon an exercise mechanism. The exercise program further includes at least one control signal that controls one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism. The portable system includes a control device configured to retrieve the exercise program and deliver the motivational content to the user by way of an audio delivery device, while delivering the control signals to the exercise mechanism. A sensor communicates with the control device and tracks one or more measurable parameters of the user during the user'"'"'s performance of the exercise program. Data representative of the one or more measurable parameters can be delivered to the control device for delivery to the remote communication system.

Claims

1. An exercise system configured to enable a user to perform an exercise program, the exercise system comprising:

(a) an exercise mechanism comprising a movable element for movement in performance of exercise by the user, the exercise mechanism having one or more operating parameters that control the moveable element;

(b) a communication system remote from the exercise mechanism, the communication system being capable of storing an exercise program, the program comprising at least one of (i) at least one control signal and (ii) data representative of motivational content; and

(c) a portable system in communication with the exercise mechanism and the communication system, the portable system being capable of retrieving the exercise program from the communication system, delivering the exercise program to the user of the exercise mechanism, and tracking at least one measurable parameter of the user.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable system is disconnected from the communication system as the portable system delivers the exercise program to the user of the exercise mechanism and tracks the at least one measurable parameter of the user.

3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable system comprises a control device, an audio delivery device in communication with the control device and a sensing device in communication with the control device.

4. A system as recited in claim 3, wherein the control device is configured to deliver the at least one control signal to the exercise mechanism, the at least one control signal controlling the one or more operating parameters that control the moveable element.

5. A system as recited in claim 3, wherein the control device is an MP3 player.

6. A system a recited in claim 3, wherein the control device is a cordless telephone.

7. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable system comprises an audio delivery device, the audio delivery device comprising at least one speaker.

8. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable system automatically changes the one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism in synchronization with the motivational content.

9. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable system comprises:

(a) one or more storage devices adapted to store one or more audio signals forming the motivational content; and

(b) a control processor configured to deliver the one or more audio signals to the audio delivery device.

10. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable system communicates with the communication system via a network.

11. A system as recited in claim 10, wherein the network comprises a network selected from the group consisting of a wide area network, a local area network, a home network, a packetized network, the Internet, telephone line, television signals network, radio network.

12. A system as recited in claim 4, wherein the portable system communicates with the exercise mechanism via a transmission media selected from the group consisting of the electrical signal transmission, airwaves, radio frequency, wireless, or infrared.

13. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable system is capable of receiving data representative of at least one measurable parameter of at least one of the user and the exercise mechanism.

14. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the portable system comprises memory configured to store at least one of the exercise program and the at least one measurable parameter.

15. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the communication system evaluates the data representative of at least one measurable parameter and generates another exercise program specific to the user of the exercise mechanism based upon data representative of the at least one measurable parameter.

16. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the exercise mechanism communicates with at least one translator device and a computer.

17. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the user manually changes the one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism.

18. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the communication system comprises a web site.

20. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the sensor is in contact with the user'"'"'s skin.

21. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the sensor is configured to track at least one of the distance traveled by the user during the exercise program and speed of the user during exercise program.

22. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the sensor is a pedometer, an accelerometer, or a pulse sensor.

23. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the control device communicates with the communication system by way of a computer and a network.

24. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the control device directly communicates with the communication system.

25. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the exercise program comprises data representative of motivational content and at least one control signal.

26. A system as recited in claim 25, wherein the exercise mechanism comprises at least one operating parameter, the at least one control signal being capable of controlling the at least one operating parameter of the exercise mechanism.

27. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the sensor is configured to track at least one measurable parameter of the exercise mechanism.

28. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the delivery device comprises a headset, the headset comprising at least one speaker.

29. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the control device communicates with the sensor via a transmission media selected from the group consisting of electrical signal transmission, airwaves, radio frequency, wireless, or infrared.

30. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the control device communicates with the delivery device via a transmission media selected from the group consisting of electrical signal transmission, airwaves, radio frequency, wireless, or infrared.

31. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the control device comprises the sensor.

19. A portable system configured to facilitate a user'"'"'s performance of an exercise program upon an exercise mechanism, the portable system comprising:

(a) a control device configured to communicate with a remote communication system, the control device configured to receive an exercise program from the remote communication system;

(b) a delivery device communicating with the control device, the delivery device presenting an audio representation of the exercise program to the user; and

(c) a sensor communicating with the user of the exercise mechanism, the sensor configured to track at least one measurable parameter of the user and to deliver data representative of the at least one measurable parameter to the control device for delivery to remote communication system.

32. A portable system configured to facilitate a user'"'"'s performance of an exercise program upon an exercise mechanism, the portable system comprising:

(a) a control device in communication with a remote communication system, the control device comprising a removable memory configured to store an exercise program receivable from the remote communication system, the exercise program comprising data representative of motivational content and at least one control signal;

(b) an audio delivery device communicating with the control device, the audio delivery device comprising at least one speaker capable of delivering the motivational content to the user; and

(c) at least one sensor coupled to the user of the exercise mechanism, the at least one sensor capable of tracking at least one measurable parameter of the user as the user performs the exercise program and delivering data representative of the at least one measurable parameter to the control device for delivery to remote communication system.

33. A device as recited in claim 32, wherein the motivational content comprises an audio signal.

34. A device as recited in claim 32, wherein the at least one control signal is synchronized with the motivational content.

35. A device as recited in claim 34, wherein the control device delivers the at least one control signal to the exercise mechanism, the at least one control signal controlling at least one operating parameters of the exercise mechanism.

36. A device as recited in claim 35, wherein the exercise mechanism comprises a movable element for movement in performance of exercise by the user, the exercise mechanism having one or more operating parameters that control the moveable element.

37. A device as recited in claim 36, wherein the user manually changes the one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism.

38. A device as recited in claim 36, wherein the control device automatically changes the one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism in synchronization with the motivational content.

39. A device as recited in claim 32, wherein the control device is an MP3 player.

40. A device as recited in claim 32, wherein the control device comprises non-removable memory.

41. A device as recited in claim 32, wherein the communication system evaluates the data representative of the at least one measurable parameter and generates a second exercise program specific to the user of the exercise mechanism based upon data representative of the at least one measurable parameter.