Systems and methods for enabling two-way communication between one or more exercise devices and computer devices and for enabling users of the one or more exercise devices to competitively exercise
First Claim
1. An exercise device comprising:
- means for receiving computer data from a computer device, the computer data being deliverable using a computer communication protocol;
means for generating exercise data, based upon the computer data, in accordance with an exercise communication protocol such that the exercise data is deliverable to the exercise device; and
means for delivering the exercise data to the exercise device.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for providing two-way communication between an exercise device and a computer device. A computer device and an exercise device employ different protocol formats and communicate through a translator device, which includes a microcontroller specifically designed to translate data or signals deliverable by different communication protocols. The exercise device, the computer device, or a user at either the exercise or computer device may initiate the communication. The enabled communication allows for such features as the performance of an automatic diagnostic analysis on the exercise device, the programming of internal parameters of the exercise device upon identifying specific components, the monitoring of any measurable parameter of the user, the providing of instructional direction and/or encouragement relating to a particular exercise routine, the controlling of the amount of resistance experienced by the user of the exercise device, and other interactions facilitated by the translator device.
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Citations
63 Claims
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1. An exercise device comprising:
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means for receiving computer data from a computer device, the computer data being deliverable using a computer communication protocol;
means for generating exercise data, based upon the computer data, in accordance with an exercise communication protocol such that the exercise data is deliverable to the exercise device; and
means for delivering the exercise data to the exercise device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 52)
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8. An exercise system configured to enable a user to perform a physical exercise, the system comprising:
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an exercise device comprising a movable element configured to enable the performance of an exercise by a user;
a computer device communicatively coupled to the exercise device; and
a translator device communicatively coupled to the exercise device and the computer device, the translator device being configured to facilitate communication between the exercise device and the computer device by (i) translating data deliverable using an exercise communication protocol into data deliverable by a computer communication protocol; and
(ii) translating data deliverable using the computer communication protocol into data deliverable by the exercise communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. In a system that includes an exercise device and a computer device that employ different communication protocols, a method for exchanging data between the devices, the method comprising:
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a step for receiving computer data from a computer device, the computer data being deliverable in accordance with a computer communication protocol;
a step for generating exercise data deliverable to an exercise device in accordance with an exercise communication protocol, the exercise data being based upon the computer data; and
a step for delivering the exercise data to the exercise device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28)
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27. In a system that includes an exercise device and a computer device, a method for transmitting information between the devices, the method comprising:
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a step for delivering exercise data deliverable in accordance with an exercise communication protocol from an exercise device to a translator device, the exercise data indicative of one or more values of one or more operating parameters of the exercise device;
a step for preparing computer data, based upon the exercise data, the computer data being deliverable in accordance with a computer communication protocol to a computer device; and
a step for delivering the computer data to the computer.
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29. A computer program product for implementing within a system a method for enabling data exchange between an exercise device that employs a first protocol format and a computer device that employs a second protocol format, the computer program product comprising:
a computer readable medium carrying computer-executable instructions for implementing;
a step for receiving data in a first protocol format from the computer device;
a step for reformatting the data from the first protocol format to a second protocol format; and
a step for transmitting the data in the second protocol format to the exercise device.
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30. A system configured to enable a plurality of users to compete in a virtual race, the system comprising:
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at least one exercise device configured to enable at least one user to exercise thereon and to track a plurality of performances by the at least one user during a virtual race;
at least one computer device configured to compare a first performance with a second performance during the virtual race; and
at least one translator device configured to communicatively couple the at least one exercise device to the at least one computer device. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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38. An exercise system configured to provide a competitive environment for one or more exercising users, the system comprising:
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a first exercise device communicatively connected to a first computer device, wherein the first computer device is configured to monitor use of the first exercise device relative to a first start time, and wherein the communication of the first exercise device and the first computer device is facilitated by a first translator device;
a second exercise device communicatively connected to a second computer device, wherein the second computer device is configured to monitor use of the second exercise device relative to a second start time, and wherein the communication of the second exercise device and the second computer device is facilitated by a second translator device;
means for comparing the use of the first exercise device relative to the first start time with the use of the second exercise device relative to the second start time; and
means for providing communication between the first computer device, the second computer device and the comparing means.
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46. In a networked system that includes an exercise device, a translator device and a computer device, a method for enabling competitive user interaction, the method comprising:
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tracking a performance of a plurality of users upon a plurality of exercise devices as each of the plurality of users competitively exercise, the performance of each of the plurality of users being tracked relative to a start time of each of the plurality of users;
delivering data indicative of the performance of each of the plurality of users, through a translator device, to a communication system; and
upon comparing the performance of each of the plurality of users the, notifying one user of the plurality of users of the performance of the another user of the plurality of users.
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51. In a networked system that includes a server and a plurality of clients, a method for enabling one or more users to compete in a virtual race using one or more clients, the method comprising:
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receiving first data at the server, wherein the first data represents a first user performance at a first client;
receiving second data at the server, wherein the second data represents a second user performance at a second client;
comparing the first data to the second data to determine which data represents a distance traveled in a faster time during the virtual race; and
communicating to the first client data indicative of the performance of the second user and to the second client data indicative of the performance of the first user. - View Dependent Claims (53)
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54. A computer program product for implementing within an exercise system a method for enabling competitive user interaction, the computer program product comprising:
a computer readable medium carrying computer program code means utilized to implement the method, wherein the computer program code means comprises executable code for implementing;
tracking a performance of a plurality of users upon a plurality of exercise devices as each of the plurality of users competitively exercise, the performance of each of the plurality of users being tracked relative to a first start time of each of the plurality of users;
delivering data indicative of the performance of each of the plurality of users, through a translator device, to a communication system; and
upon comparing the performance of each of the plurality of users, notifying one user of the plurality of users of the performance of another user of the plurality of users.
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55. An exercise systems comprising:
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a moveable element for movement in performance of exercise by a user, the moveable element being controlled by exercise data formatted in accordance with an exercise communication protocol; and
a control panel adapted to enable a user to control the movement of the moveable element, the control panel comprising;
means for communicatively coupling the movable element to a computer device and for receiving computer data from the computer device, the computer data being formatted in accordance with a computer communication protocol; and
means for generating exercise data from the computer data to move the moveable element in accordance with the exercise data. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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Specification