Exercise system

• US 6,659,916 B1
• Filed: 08/25/1999
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael J Shea
• Original Assignee: Michael J Shea
• Inventors: Shea, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US09/382,684
• Time in Patent Office: 1,567 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51-53, 482/57, 482/1-9, 482/900, 482/901, 482/902
• US Class Current: 482/57
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0081 Coaching or training aspects related to a group of users
• 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 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• 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 22/02 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 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• 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 2225/30 Maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/01 User's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/065 within a certain range
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• 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 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• 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: A63B 71/06 : Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0697 : Reservation devices
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 : Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 : Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

An exercise system includes a plurality of exercise terminals, wherein a workout of an exerciser includes at least two exercises performed at one or more of the exercise terminals. Each exercise terminal includes a communication device for communicating to the exerciser information regarding an exercise of the workout subsequent to a current exercise in the workout.

Claims

1. A method for guiding exercisers from one exercise terminal to another at a site having a plurality of exercise terminals each of which is usable for performing a different exercise, the method comprising:

(1) determining, using a process of a processing system, a next exercise terminal at which an exerciser should exercise after ending exercise at a currently-used exercise terminal; and

(2) outputting, via an output device of the currently-used exercise terminal, data that directs the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal,

wherein the next exercise terminal determined for the exerciser using the currently-used exercise terminal is different than the next exercise terminal determined for a subsequent exerciser using the same exercise terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data that directs the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal comprises location data indicative of the physical location of the next exercise terminal.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data that directs the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal comprises location data indicative of the physical location of the next exercise terminal relative to the physical location of the currently-used exercise terminal.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data that directs the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal comprises location data for graphically indicating the physical location of the next exercise terminal.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the output device of the currently-used exercise terminal comprises a display device.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

(3) repeating steps (1) and (2) until a workout by the exerciser is completed.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the process of the processing system determines the next exercise terminal with reference to exerciser data stored in a computer-readable memory.

20. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

(3) at the currently-used exercise terminal, monitoring the exerciser while the exerciser exercises,

wherein the process of the processing system determines the next exercise terminal based on the monitoring.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein the site is a health club facility.

22. The method according to claim 1, wherein the next exercise terminal is determined based, at least in part, on the use/non-use states of the exercise terminals.

23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the next exercise terminal is determined based, at least in part, on an indication by the exerciser as to certain physical limitations.

24. The method according to claim 1, wherein the next exercise terminal is determined based, at least in part, on an exerciser time limitation for completing a workout.

25. The method according to claim 1, wherein the next exercise terminal is determined based, at least in part, on the burning by the exerciser of a predetermined number of calories.

8. A method for guiding an exerciser from one exercise terminal to another at a site having a plurality of exercise terminals each of which is usable for performing a different exercise, the method comprising:

(1) at the exercise terminal currently used by the exerciser, monitoring the exerciser while the exerciser exercises;

(2) based on the monitoring, determining, using a process of a processing system, a next different exercise terminal at which the exerciser should exercise after the exerciser ends exercise at the currently-used exercise terminal; and

(3) outputting, via an output device of the currently-used exercise terminal, data that directs the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the data that directs the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal comprises location data indicative of the physical location of the next exercise terminal.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the data that directs the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal comprises location data indicative of the physical location of the next exercise terminal relative to the physical location of the currently-used exercise terminal.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the data that directs the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal comprises location data for graphically indicating the physical location of the next exercise terminal.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the output device of the currently-used exercise terminal comprises a display device.

13. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

(4) repeating steps (1), (2) and (3) until a workout by the exerciser is completed.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein the monitoring comprises monitoring physiological parameters of the exerciser.

15. The method according to claim 8, wherein the monitoring comprises detecting whether the exercise at the currently-used exercise terminal is ended prematurely.

16. The method according to claim 8, wherein the monitoring comprises detecting whether the exerciser changes a difficulty level of the exercise at the currently-used exercise terminal.

17. The method according to claim 8, wherein the monitoring comprises detecting an input of the exerciser'"'"'s perception of a difficulty of the exercise at the currently-used exercise terminal.

18. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

(4) based on the monitoring, determining, using another process of the processing system, parameters of the exercise at the next exercise terminal.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the next exercise terminal is a processor-controlled exercise apparatus and the parameters of the exercise at the next exercise terminal include designations of one or more of an exercise program for execution by the processor, an exercise difficulty level and an exercise time.

26. The method according to claim 8, wherein the site is a health club facility.

27. The method according to claim 8, wherein the processing system is part of a system computer connected to the currently-used exercise terminal via a communication link.

28. A method for guiding an exerciser from one exercise terminal to another at a site having a plurality of exercise terminals connected to a system computer via a communication link, each exercise terminal being usable for performing a different exercise, the method comprising:

(1) determining, using a process of the system computer, a next different exercise terminal at which the exerciser should exercise after the exerciser ends exercise at the currently used exercise terminal;

(2) communicating to the currently-used exercise terminal via the communication link data regarding the next exercise terminal; and

(3) outputting, via an output device of the currently-used exercise terminal, data that directs the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the process of the system computer determines the next exercise terminal by accessing a memory storing exerciser data.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the process of the system computer determines the next exercise terminal by monitoring the exerciser while the exerciser exercises at the currently-used exercise terminal.

31. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

(4) repeating steps (1), (2) and (3) until a workout by the exerciser is completed.

32. The method according to claim 28, wherein the site is a health club facility.

33. The method according to claim 28, wherein the data that directs the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal comprises location data indicative of the physical location of the next exercise terminal.

34. The method according to claim 28, wherein the data that directs the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal comprises location data indicative of the physical location of the next exercise terminal relative to the physical location of the currently-used exercise terminal.

35. The method according to claim 28, wherein the data that directs the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal comprises location data for graphically indicating the physical location of the next exercise terminal.

36. The method according to claim 28, wherein the next exercise terminal is determined based, at least in part, on the use/non-use states of the exercise terminals.

37. The method according to claim 28, wherein the next exercise terminal is determined based, at least in part, on an indication by the exerciser as to certain physical limitations.

38. The method according to claim 28, wherein the next exercise terminal is determined based, at least in part, on an exerciser time limitation for completing a workout.

39. The method according to claim 28, wherein the next exercise terminal is determined based, at least in part, on the burning by the exerciser of a predetermined number of calories.