Computerized connection system between exercise stations for exchanging communications of related users

• US 6,616,578 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2000
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Original Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Inventors: Alessandri, Nerio
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/736,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20010004622A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1-9, 482/900-902
• US Class Current: 482/8
• 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 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• 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 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

A computerized connection system between exercise stations, comprising an exercise machine or equipment item and interface means to allow the exchange of information between the user and the station itself, includes a telecommunication network operatively interposed between the exercise stations to allow the connection, information exchange and communication of the users of the individual stations.

Claims

1. A computerized connection system between exercise stations comprising:

an exercise machine or equipment item;

interface means to allow the exchange of information between a user and station, the interface means comprises means for the input and means for the output of information,

a telecommunication network operatively interposed between the exercise stations to allow the connection and simultaneous bi-directional information exchange between the users of each individual station by allowing the socialization of the connected users.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input means is manually activated by the user of the exercise station.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the input means is a keyboard or a pointing device which is manually activated by the user.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pointing device is a mouse or a joystick.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input means is vocally activated by the user.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the input means a microphone.

7. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input means comprises a video camera associated to the exercise station.

8. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output means comprises means for displaying the information.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the display means is a monitor or a display coupled to the exercise station.

10. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the output means comprises an ear phone device to be worn by the user of the exercise station.

11. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output means comprises at least a loudspeaker associated to the exercise station.

12. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said telecommunication network is an analogue network, the interface means between user and exercise station comprises a modem for the analogue-digital and digital-analogue conversion of the information exchanged between the users of the exercise stations.

13. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said telecommunication network is a digital data transmission network.

14. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said telecommunication network transmits information in the form of radio waves.

15. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a microphone and a loudspeaker coupled to one exercise station and interoperating with the telecommunication network to help the socialization of the users connected to the telecommunication network.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the system further comprises search means operating on the telecommunication network to connect a first, calling, user with the exercise station of a second, called, user, said search means connecting said users when the calling user knows the location of the exercise station of the called user.

17. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the system further comprises search means operating on the telecommunication network for automatically identifying the location of the exercise station of a second user to be called so that a first, calling, user is connected to the second, called, user.

18. A system as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the search means subordinates the connection of said users to the availability of the second user, the availability being manifested by said second user by the emission of a personal availability code.

19. A system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the search means connects an instructor and at least a user of the exercise station.

20. A system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the search means connects a single calling user to a plurality of called users to form a class of called users participating in a shared activity.

21. A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said called users are located in exercise stations situated in mutually remote physical locations.

22. A system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the system comprises indicator means for indicating that the user of an exercise station is temporarily occupied in a determined activity.

23. A system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the system comprises indicator means for indicating that the user of an exercise station is temporarily occupied in a connection with at least another user of the telecommunication network.

24. A system as claimed in claim 23, wherein said indicator means indicates, with a visual signal, that said user of the exercise station is temporarily occupied in a connection with the telecommunication network.

25. A system as claimed in claim 24, wherein said indicator means comprises a visual indicator mounted on a support rod associated to the exercise station.

26. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said indicator means identifies the users of the exercise stations occupied in a common connection by identically colored visual indications.