Interactive programmable fitness interface system

• US 6,053,844 A
• Filed: 09/18/1998
• Issued: 04/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Cone
• Original Assignee: Athlon, LLC
• Inventors: Clem, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/156,336
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1-9, 482/900-902, 482/51, 600/520, 379/106.01, 379/106.02
• US Class Current: 482/8
• 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 22/0242 with speed variation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only

Abstract

An exercise system including an exercise device at a user location includes a controller at the user location for controlling the exercise device. A control location remote from the user location and a communication system for transmitting information between the exercise device and the control location are provided. A sensor at the user location determines user location information and applies the user location information to the communication system for transmission to the control location. Control information is applied to the communication system by the control location in response to the user location information for transmission to the controller to control the exercise device according to the control information. Thus, the present invention is an interactive fitness system for permitting a user of a programmable exercise device to interact with a fitness server device while the user is in a location remote from the fitness server device. For example, the user can interact with the fitness server device from the home of the user. Using the system of the present invention the user can download new fitness equipment programs for controlling the exercise equipment. The user can also interact with fitness experts on-line and provide exercise information and receive control information wherein the received control information can permit interaction between the fitness server device and the user.

Claims

1. An exercise system including an exercise device at a user location, comprising:

a controller at the user location for controlling the exercise device;

an automated control location remote from the user location;

a communication system for transmitting information between the exercise device and the automated control location;

a sensor at the user location for determining user identifying information and applying the user identifying information to the communication system for transmission to the automated control location; and

control information applied to the communication system by the automated control location in response to the user identifying information for transmission to the controller to control the exercise device according to the control information, wherein the control information is automatically derived by the automated control location from a database derived at the automated control location based on the user identifying information.

2. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the user location information comprises exercise device information.

3. The exercise system of claim 2, wherein the exercise device information includes incline information.

4. The exercise system of claim 3, wherein the control information includes incline control information.

5. The exercise system of claim 2, wherein the exercise device information includes force information.

6. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the user location information comprises user information.

7. The exercise system of claim 6, wherein the user information comprises user weight information.

8. The exercise system of claim 6, wherein the user information comprises user gender information.

9. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the automated control location determines calorie information according to the user identifying information.

10. The exercise system of claim 9, wherein the calorie information is determined according to exercise device speed information.

11. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the communication system comprises an internet system.

12. The exercise system of claim 11, further comprising a browser for browsing the internet while operating the exercise device.

13. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the exercise device comprises a force adjustment device.

14. The exercise system of claim 13, wherein the force adjustment device is controlled according to the control information.

15. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the exercise device includes an incline adjustment device and the incline adjustment device is controlled according to the control information.

16. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the control information comprises a control program for operating the exercise device by the controller according to the control program.

17. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein one of a plurality of control programs is selected according to the user location information.

18. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein further user location information is transmitted from the user location to the control location during operation of the exercise device and control information previously transmitted to the user location is altered according to further control information transmitted by the control location in response to the further user location information.

19. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the user location information is accumulated at the control location.

20. The exercise system of claim 14, wherein the control information is determined by the control location according to the accumulated user information.

21. The exercise system of claim 11, wherein the control location is a web site.

22. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the automated control location is a server.

23. The exercise system of claim 1, further comprising an interactive interface connected to the user location, wherein commands related to the database can be entered at the user location.