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. A system configured to enable a plurality of users to compete in a virtual race, the system comprising:
- 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.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods that provide 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.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A system configured to enable a plurality of users to compete in a virtual race, the system comprising:
-
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 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. An exercise system configured to provide a competitive environment for one or more exercising users, the system comprising:
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. 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:
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. 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:
-
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 (19, 20)
-
Specification