Non-strenuous under furniture exercise device
First Claim
1. A exercise system comprising:
- a) an item of furniture having i) a generally horizontal work surface, and ii) at least one support that keeps the work surface above a ground surface;
b) an exercise device located underneath the work surface and having i) data gathering electronics that gather exercise data, and ii) a data link through which data signals containing the exercise data are transmitted from the exercise device;
c) a general purpose computer resting on the work surface, connected to the data link, and having i) a general purpose operating system capable of operating a plurality of application programs;
ii) a control and analysis software program that receives the data signals from the data link and that transmits a command via the general purpose operating system, the command being sent only when the data signals indicate that a level of exercise currently being performed on the exercise device does not meet a minimal level;
iii) a second program that receives the command and changes its functioning in response to the command.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An under-furniture exercise device is presented that provides a non-strenuous workout that allows user to concentrate on day-to-day tasks. The exercise device interacts with computer software operating on a general purpose computer in order to provide an incentive for users to continue their exercise. The software receives data signals from the exercise device that allows the software to determine whether the exercise has fallen below a certain threshold. If so, the software issues a command to entertainment software or driver software that controls a device external to the computer. The command causes the entertainment software to alter its performance so that the alteration would be noticed by the user, and causes the driver software to change the operation of the external device in a similar manner. Multiple devices can be networked together for central monitoring, which can be used by health insurance providers to provide incentives to exercise.
36 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A exercise system comprising:
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a) an item of furniture having i) a generally horizontal work surface, and ii) at least one support that keeps the work surface above a ground surface;
b) an exercise device located underneath the work surface and having i) data gathering electronics that gather exercise data, and ii) a data link through which data signals containing the exercise data are transmitted from the exercise device;
c) a general purpose computer resting on the work surface, connected to the data link, and having i) a general purpose operating system capable of operating a plurality of application programs;
ii) a control and analysis software program that receives the data signals from the data link and that transmits a command via the general purpose operating system, the command being sent only when the data signals indicate that a level of exercise currently being performed on the exercise device does not meet a minimal level;
iii) a second program that receives the command and changes its functioning in response to the command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An exercise system comprising:
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a) an exercise device having i) an outer housing;
ii) an electrically controlled resistance mechanism that determines a resistance level for the exercise device, iii) data gathering electronics that gather exercise data, and iv) a data link passing through the outer housing through which data signals containing the exercise data are transmitted from the exercise device and through which control signals that alter the resistance control mechanism are received by the exercise device; and
b) a general purpose computer external to the outer housing of the exercise device having i) a general purpose operating system capable of operating a plurality of application programs;
ii) a word processing productivity software program operating on the general purpose operating system and that provides word processing capabilities;
iii) a control and analysis software program operating on the general purpose operating system, that (1) receives the data signals from the data link, (2) receives input relating to the resistance of the exercise device through a user input, (3) sends control signals to the exercise device through the data link to control the resistance of the resistance mechanism, and (4) transmits a command via the general purpose operating system, the command being sent only when the data signals indicate that a level of exercise currently being performed on the exercise device does not meet a minimal level;
iv) an entertainment control program operating on the general purpose operating system that (1) controls an entertainment related output that is perceptible outside the general purpose computer, and (2) receives the command and changes its functioning in response to the command, wherein the change in functioning changes the entertainment related output.
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13. An exercise system for workers in a workplace comprising:
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a) a plurality of desks used by the workers;
b) an exercise device under each desk, the exercise device having i) data gathering electronics that gather exercise data, and ii) a data link through which data signals containing the exercise data are transmitted from the exercise device;
c) a general purpose computer on each desk that is connected to the data link, each general purpose computer having i) a general purpose operating system capable of operating a plurality of application programs, ii) a control and analysis software program that (1) receives the exercise device from the data link in real time, (2) controls the functioning of a second software program operating on the general purpose computer based upon the exercise data, and (3) creates exercise summary data based upon the exercise data;
d) a computer network linking together each of the general purpose computers; and
e) a central analysis computer different than the general purpose computers and linked to the computer network, the central analysis computer receiving exercise summary data from each general purpose computer over the computer network. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification