Workout processing system

• US 20050010426A1
• Filed: 07/10/2003
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Chen, Yen-Fu, Sun, Nancy T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,128,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0724 Bar-bells; Hand bars
• 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 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/10 Multi-station exercising machines
• 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 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0697 Reservation devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events

Abstract

There is provided a physical fitness workout processing methodology and system for enabling remote scheduling and set-up of workout sessions for individual gym members or groups. In an exemplary embodiment, an individual or member is enabled to schedule a workout session in advance by using a wireless device or a personal computer from a location remote from the gymnasium where the workout session is to occur. The individual or user is enabled to schedule the use of various kinds of workout stations and equipment to insure that the proper equipment is available for use by the individual at the time during a workout session when it is needed. When the member enters the gym, his or her presence is detected and the member is tracked throughout the workout session. Messages are displayed on display devices by workout stations to announce that the equipment has been reserved for the member at the appropriate time. In one implementation, the member carries a membership card which transmits signals used to determine the member identification and location within the gym. When the member enters a workout station area, the member'"'"'s individual settings for the exercise equipment at the workout station are automatically set and the workout data are automatically measured and entered into the member'"'"'s physical fitness database which is maintained in storage at the gym server.

Claims

1. A method for operating a workout facility having a plurality of workout stations arranged for use by individual users, said method comprising:

receiving identification (ID) signals at one of said workout stations, said ID signals being representative of an individual user;

measuring workout data generated by said individual user at said workout station; and

saving said workout data to a workout data file associated with said individual user when said user has finished using said workout station.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said workout data file is maintained at a server within said workout facility.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receiving is accomplished by receiving ID signals transmitted from a transmitter device carried by said individual user.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receiving is accomplished by receiving ID signals at a reading device located at said workout station, said ID signals being generated by an initial reading of a code contained on an article carried by said individual user.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said code is a bar code readable by an optical reading device.

6. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein said code is a magnetic code on a medium readable by a magnetic code reading device.

7. The method as set forth in claim 3 and further including determining when said individual user has finished using said workout station, said determining being accomplished by detecting an absence of said transmitted ID signals at said workout station.

8. The method as set forth in claim 4 and further including determining when said individual user has finished using said workout station, said determining being accomplished by detecting when said ID signals are read for a second time at said workout station, said second reading signifying that said individual user has completed a workout at said workout station.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including displaying said workout data on a display device located at said workout station.

10. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including:

displaying said workout data file of said individual user on a display device located at said workout station.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said workout data file further includes a workout routine for said individual user, said workout routine including specific workout protocols for said individual user at each of said plurality of workout stations.

12. The method as set forth in claim 11 and further including displaying said specific workout protocols for said individual user on said display devices at workout stations being used by said individual user.

13. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including saving workout data from a plurality of workout stations to said workout data file.

14. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including enabling reservation of selected workout stations by said individual user.

15. The method as set forth in claim 14 and further including displaying notice of said reservation of a reserved workout station at a display device located at said reserved workout station.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15 and further including disabling said reserved workout station, said reserved workout station being selectively enabled by said receiving of said ID signals associated with said individual user at said reserved workout station.

17. A medium programmed to provide operating signals when said medium is read by a compatible reading device at a workout facility computer system, said operating signals being effective for causing said workout facility computer system to interact with individual workout stations located within said workout facility for:

receiving identification (ID) signals at one of said workout stations, said ID signals being representative of an individual user;

measuring workout data generated by said individual user at said workout station; and

saving said workout data to a workout data file associated with said individual user when said user has finished using said workout station, said workout data file being stored at said workout facility computer system.

18. A workout facility computer system comprising:

a central server device; and

a plurality of control units coupled to said central server device, each of said control units being coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of individual workout stations located within said workout facility, each of said control units including means for receiving identification (ID) signals representative of an individual user, said workout stations being selectively operable for measuring workout data generated by said individual user at said workout station, said control units being further selectively operable for saving said workout data to a workout data file associated with said individual user when said user has finished using said workout station, said workout data file being stored at said workout facility computer system.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18 wherein at least one of said workstations includes a display device coupled to said control unit at said workstation, said display device being selectively operable for displaying workout data related to said individual user.