SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING FITNESS EQUIPMENT AND EXERCISE

• US 20160151670A1
• Filed: 02/05/2016
• Published: 06/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dugan Health, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian M. Dugan
• Inventors: Dugan, Brian M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,409,054 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0652 for cycling in a recumbent position
• 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 22/04 with movable multiple steps , i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders steppers with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0048
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/755 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• 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: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/816 Athletics, e.g. track-and-field sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/85 : Providing additional services to players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 : Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 : Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 : Fighting without shooting
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing a monitor for determining a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and for outputting a signal representative of the performance level; (2) using the monitor to measure a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser; (3) outputting from the monitor a signal representative of the performance level; (4) providing a video game having a character, the video game inputting and being responsive to the performance level signal output by the monitor, the video game using the performance level signal to control a performance level of the video game character; and (5) while the exerciser is not exercising, controlling a performance level of the video game character based on a performance level signal output by the monitor.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A system comprising:

a wearable monitor that monitors biometric information of a user as the user exercises; and

an application executable on a mobile device, the mobile device associated with the user and configured to execute one or more video games having a character controllable by the user of the mobile device, the application including computer program code operative to direct the mobile device to;

communicate with the wearable monitor so as to determine a level of exercise performance performed by the user during exercise;

receive, at the mobile device, a performance level requirement for the exercise by the user set by a third party;

receive, at the mobile device, performance level information from the wearable monitor related to exercise performed by the user subsequent to reception of the performance level requirement set by the third party;

based on the performance level information from the wearable monitor, determine if the user is over exercising, and if the user is over exercising, attempting to prevent the user from over exercising using the mobile device;

effectuate communication, from the mobile device to the third party, of information regarding the monitored performance level information received from the wearable monitor related to exercise performed by the user subsequent to reception of the performance level requirement; and

receive, at the mobile device, an incentive offer provided to the mobile device in response to the information communicated to the third party indicating that the exercise by the user has met the performance level requirement set by the third party;

wherein the communications with the third party occur via the Internet.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the application executable on the mobile device includes computer program code that provides a video game on the mobile device having a character controlled by the user, the video game inputting and being responsive to the performance level determined by the monitor, the video game using the monitored performance level and the performance level requirement set by the third party to control a performance level of the user controlled video game character.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein successful completion of the game depends on the performance level requirement set by the third party.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein communication of information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party includes communication of information to an insurance company.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein communication of information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party includes communication of information to at least one of a medical facility and a weight loss clinic.

7. The system of claim 2 wherein the application executable on the mobile device includes computer program code that facilitates the third party setting a performance level of exercise by programming the mobile device via the Internet.

8. The system of claim 2 wherein the application executable on the mobile device includes computer program code that provides a video game on the mobile device having a character, the video game inputting and being responsive to a plurality of indicators of performance levels output by one or more monitors, the video game using the plurality of indicators of performance levels and the performance level requirement set by the third party to control multiple performance levels or characteristics of the video game character.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein successful completion of the game depends on the performance level requirement set by the third party.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein communication of information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party includes communication of information to an insurance company.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein communication of information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party includes communication of information to at least one of a medical facility and a weight loss clinic.

12. The system of claim 2 wherein the application executable on the mobile device includes computer program code that provides a video game on the mobile device having a character controlled by the user, the video game inputting and being responsive to a plurality of indicators of performance levels output by one or more monitors, the video game using the plurality of indicators of performance levels and the performance level requirement set by the third party to control multiple performance levels or characteristics of the video game character.

13. The system of claim 2 wherein the application executable on the mobile device includes computer program code that provides a video game on the mobile device having a character controlled by the user, the video game inputting and being responsive to the performance level determined by the monitor, the video game using the monitored performance level and the performance level requirement set by the third party to control a performance level of the user controlled video game character, the video game including multiple video game characters controlled by multiple exercisers.

14. The system of claim 2 wherein the application executable on the mobile device includes computer program code that provides a video game on the mobile device having a character, the video game inputting and being responsive to a plurality of indicators of performance levels output by at least one monitor, the video game using the plurality of indicators of performance levels and the performance level requirement set by the third party to control multiple performance levels or characteristics of the video game character, the video game including multiple video game characters controlled by multiple exercisers.

15. The system of claim 2 wherein the application executable on the mobile device includes computer program code that provides a video game on the mobile device having a character controlled by the user, the video game inputting and being responsive to a plurality of indicators of performance levels output by at least one monitor, the video game using the plurality of indicators of performance levels and the performance level requirement set by the third party to control multiple performance levels or characteristics of the video game character, the video game including multiple video game characters controlled by multiple exercisers.

16. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one offered incentive includes a reduced insurance deductible.

17. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one offered incentive includes a reduced-fee physical.

18. The system of claim 2 wherein the mobile device determines if the user is over exercising based on an age of the user.

19. The system of claim 2 wherein the mobile device determines if the user is over exercising based on a weight of the user.

20. The system of claim 2 wherein the mobile device determines if the user is over exercising based on an age and a weight of the user.

21. The system of claim 2 wherein the application executable on the mobile device includes computer program code that displays exercise information of the user on the mobile device.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the exercise information includes one or more of pulse rate and distance traveled.

23. The system of claim 2 wherein the application executable on the mobile device includes computer program code that displays exercise information relating to another exerciser located remotely from the user.

24. A system comprising:

a wrist band having a wearable monitor that monitors biometric information of a user as the user exercises and wirelessly communicates monitored biometric information; and

an application executable on a mobile device, the mobile device associated with the user and configured to execute one or more video games having a character controllable by the user of the mobile device, the application including computer program code operative to direct the mobile device to;

communicate with the wearable monitor so as to determine a level of exercise performance performed by the user during exercise;

receive, at the mobile device, a performance level requirement for the exercise by the user set by a third party;

receive, at the mobile device, performance level information from the wearable monitor related to exercise performed by the user subsequent to reception of the performance level requirement set by the third party;

based on the performance level information from the wearable monitor, determine if the user is over exercising, and if the user is over exercising, attempting to prevent the user from over exercising using the mobile device;

effectuate communication, from the mobile device to the third party, of information regarding the monitored performance level information received from the wearable monitor related to exercise performed by the user subsequent to reception of the performance level requirement; and

receive, at the mobile device, an incentive offer provided to the mobile device in response to the information communicated to the third party indicating that the exercise by the user has met the performance level requirement set by the third party;

wherein the communications with the third party occur via the Internet.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the wearable monitor includes a pulse monitor.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein the wearable monitor includes an accelerometer.

27. The system of claim 24 wherein the application executable on the mobile device includes computer program code that displays exercise information relating to another exerciser located remotely from the user.

28. The system of claim 24 wherein the application executable on the mobile device includes computer program code that provides a video game on the mobile device having a character controlled by the user, the video game inputting and being responsive to the performance level determined by the monitor, the video game using the monitored performance level and the performance level requirement set by the third party to control a performance level of the user controlled video game character.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein successful completion of the game depends on the performance level requirement set by the third party.