Methods and Systems for Managing and Reporting Micro-Production of Consumable Energy

• US 20090251296A1
• Filed: 04/03/2009
• Published: 10/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Green Revolution Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Green Revolution Incorporated
• Inventors: Whelan, James R. JR.
• Application Number:
  US12/417,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20090251296A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.510
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0658 for cycling with a group of people, e.g. spinning classes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0055 the produced electric power used as a source for other equipment, e.g. for TVs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• 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 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication

Abstract

Methods and systems of capturing and reporting information related to the micro-generation of consumable electricity are disclosed. Some methods and systems include the following: attaching an electricity generation unit to a human-powered piece of exercise equipment, the electricity generation unit being adapted to generate consumable energy and capture information related to the consumable electricity generated; attaching a radio frequency identification writer to the electricity generation unit for capturing and conveying information related to the consumable electricity generated by the electricity generation unit; providing a radio frequency identification tag; conveying the information from the electricity generation unit to the radio frequency identification tag via the radio frequency identification writer; conveying the information directly from the electricity generation unit to a database; and transferring the information stored on the radio frequency identification tag to the database.

Claims

1. A method of capturing and reporting information related to the micro-generation of consumable electricity, said method comprising:

attaching an electricity generation unit to a human-powered piece of exercise equipment, said electricity generation unit being adapted to generate consumable energy and capture information related to the consumable electricity generated;

attaching a radio frequency identification writer to said electricity generation unit for capturing and conveying information related to the consumable electricity generated by said electricity generation unit;

providing a radio frequency identification tag;

conveying said information from said electricity generation unit to said radio frequency identification tag via said radio frequency identification writer;

conveying said information directly from said electricity generation unit to a database; and

transferring said information stored on said radio frequency identification tag to said database.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said information captured by said electricity generation unit is erased from said electricity generation unit after it is conveyed to said database.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said information captured by said radio frequency identification tag is erased from said radio frequency identification tag after it is conveyed to said database.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said information stored on said radio frequency identification tag includes Equipment ID, Start and End time of workout, Total energy produced, and peak energy produced during workout.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

scanning said radio frequency identification tag using a tag reader thereby conveying all of said information on said radio frequency identification tag to said reader; and

electronically transmitting said information in said reader to said database.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said information includes information from a plurality of workouts.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said information conveyed directly from said electricity generation unit to a database includes total energy production and real-time energy production.

8. A method of capturing and reporting information related to the micro-generation of consumable electricity, said method comprising:

attaching an electricity generation unit to a human-powered piece of exercise equipment, said electricity generation unit being adapted to generate consumable energy and capture information related to the consumable electricity generated;

attaching a radio frequency identification writer to said electricity generation unit for capturing and conveying information related to the consumable electricity generated by said electricity generation unit;

providing a radio frequency identification tag including a user identification number;

automatically conveying said user identification number to said electricity generation unit via said radio frequency identification writer; and

conveying said information and said user identification number from said electricity generation unit directly to a database.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said information captured by said electricity generation unit is erased from said electricity generation unit after it is conveyed to said database.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein said information captured by said radio frequency identification tag is erased from said radio frequency identification tag after it is conveyed to said database.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein said information stored on said radio frequency identification tag includes Equipment ID, Start and End time of workout, Total energy produced, and peak energy produced during workout.

12. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:

scanning said radio frequency identification tag using a tag reader thereby conveying all of said information on said radio frequency identification tag to said reader; and

electronically transmitting said information in said reader to said database.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said information includes information from a plurality of workouts.

14. A method according to claim 8, wherein said information conveyed directly from said electricity generation unit to a database includes total energy production and real-time energy production.

15. A system for capturing and reporting information related to the micro-generation of consumable electricity, said system comprising:

an energy generation module including an electricity generation unit joined with a human-powered piece of exercise equipment, said electricity generation unit being adapted to generate consumable electricity and capture information related to the consumable electricity generated;

a data capture module including a radio frequency identification writer joined with said electricity generation unit, said radio frequency identification writer being used to capture and convey information related to the consumable electricity generated by said electricity generation unit;

an individual user data module including a radio frequency identification tag to be associated with an individual user, said radio frequency identification tag being adapted to receive information from said electricity generation unit via said radio frequency identification writer;

a database for receiving said information stored on said radio frequency identification tag; and

a direct reporting module including a communication conduit for conveying said information directly from said electricity generation unit to said database.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein said information captured by said electricity generation unit is erased from said electricity generation unit after it is conveyed to said database.

17. A system according to claim 15, wherein said information captured by said radio frequency identification tag is erased from said radio frequency identification tag after it is conveyed to said database.

18. A system according to claim 15, wherein said information stored on said radio frequency identification tag includes Equipment ID, Start and End time of workout, Total energy produced, and peak energy produced during workout.

19. A system according to claim 15, further comprising:

a scanning module including a tag reader for scanning said radio frequency identification tag using to convey all of said information on said radio frequency identification tag to said reader and electronically transmitting said information in said reader to said database.

20. A system according to claim 15, wherein said information conveyed directly from said electricity generation unit to a database includes total energy production and real-time energy production.