System And Method For Simulating Real World Exercise Sessions

• US 20130274069A1
• Filed: 04/10/2013
• Published: 10/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Watterson, Scott R., Watterson, Mark D., Watterson, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,586,090 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/9
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0682 with support elements being cantilevered, i.e. the elements being supported only on one side without bearing on tracks on the floor below the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/009 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled in synchronism with visualising systems, e.g. hill slope
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0691 Maps, e.g. yardage maps or electronic maps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/012 using frictional force-resisters electromagnetically-controlled brakes A63B21/0056
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0235 driven by a motor
• 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 2220/70 Measuring or simulating ambient conditions, e.g. weather, terrain or surface conditions
• 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 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising

Abstract

In an exercise system having a remote communication system adapted to communicate with an exercise device, a method for generating an exercise program includes receiving route information identifying a route traveled by an individual during a real world exercise session, receiving audio information identifying a musical selection listened to by the individual during the real world exercise session, using the route information and the audio information to generate an exercise program. The exercise program includes control signals that cause an exercise device to substantially simulate the topographical characteristics of the route traveled by the individual during the real world exercise session, and audio signals representative of the musical selection listened to by the individual during the real world exercise session so that the musical selection is presented during a performance of the exercise program.

Claims

1. In an exercise system having a remote communication system adapted to communicate with an exercise device, a method for generating an exercise program comprising:

receiving route information identifying a route traveled by an individual during a real world exercise session;

receiving audio information identifying a musical selection listened to by the individual during the real world exercise session;

using the route information and the audio information to generate an exercise program, the exercise program comprising;

control signals that cause an exercise device to substantially simulate the topographical characteristics of the route traveled by the individual during the real world exercise session; and

audio signals representative of the musical selection listened to by the individual during the real world exercise session, wherein the musical selection is presented during a performance of the exercise program.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the route information is received from a device that is communicatively connected to the remote communication system and that monitors the route traveled by the individual.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising retrieving data from a third party regarding the route traveled by the individual during the real world exercise session, wherein the third party data is used to generate the control signals.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising retrieving data from a third party regarding the musical selection listened to by the individual during the real world exercise session, wherein the third party data is used to generate the audio signals.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the exercise program further comprises display signals that cause the exercise device to display images of the route traveled by the individual during the real world exercise session.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising retrieving data from a third party regarding the route traveled by the individual during the real world exercise session, wherein the third party data is used to generate the display signals.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the display signals comprise video images.

8. The method of claim 5 further comprising synchronizing the control signals and the display signals.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the control signals cause an actuator associated with a treadmill tread base to adjust an inclination of the tread base.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the control signals also cause an actuator associated with a treadmill tread base to adjust a side to side tilt of the tread base.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the control signals cause an actuator associated with pedals of an exercise device to adjust a rotational resistance applied to the pedals.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the control signals cause an actuator associated with an exercise device frame to adjust a tilt of the device frame.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising making the exercise program available for download to an exercise device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the exercise program is made available for download to the exercise device via the internet.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio information identifying a musical selection comprises a playlist of songs.

17. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the audio output device is a speaker.

18. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the remote communication system communicates with the exercise device via a portable memory device.

19. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the control signals selectively adjust an inclination level of a treadmill tread base.

16. An exercise system comprising:

an exercise device having an audio output device and a movable element that moves during the performance of an exercise, the movable element having at least one selectively adjustable operating parameter; and

a remote communication system in communication with the exercise device, the remote communication system being receptive to information identifying a real world exercise route traveled by an individual during an exercise session and receptive to auditory information identifying a playlist of songs that the individual listened to during the exercise session;

wherein the remote communication system retrieves data relating to the real world exercise route and data relating to the playlist of songs that the individual listened to during the exercise session;

wherein the remote communication system uses the retrieved data to create an exercise program that comprises;

control signals that selectively adjust the at least one selectively adjustable operating parameter of the movable element to simulate terrain characteristics of the real world exercise route;

display signals that include visual images of the real world exercise route; and

audio signals representative of the playlist of songs listened to by the individual during the exercise session.

20. A computer system, comprising:

one or more processors;

system memory; and

one or more computer storage media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computer system to implement a method for generating an exercise program, including;

receiving route information identifying a route traveled by an individual during a real world exercise session;

receiving audio information identifying a musical selection listened to by the individual during the real world exercise session;

using the route information and the audio information to generate an exercise program, the exercise program comprising;

control signals that cause an exercise device to substantially simulate the topographical characteristics of the route traveled by the individual during the real world exercise session; and

audio signals representative of the musical selection listened to by the individual during the real world exercise session, wherein the musical selection is presented during a performance of the exercise program.