Interactive fitness equipment

• US 6,902,513 B1
• Filed: 04/02/2002
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: VR Optics LLC (Villency Design Group)
• Original Assignee: Daniel R. Mcclure
• Inventors: McClure, Daniel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US10/114,230
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0009 Computerised real time comparison with previous movements or motion sequences of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0081 Coaching or training aspects related to a group of users
• 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 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• 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 22/0076 Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• 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 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/201 for moving a support element in reciprocating translation, i.e. for sliding back and forth on a guide track
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 Microphones
• 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 2230/04 heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• 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 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 : Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to a computerized fitness equipment that is designed to simulate, emulate, or implement actual race conditions with other users. An exemplar fitness equipment includes at least one operating component and sensors to monitor performance parameters of the at least one operating component (such as speed of movement). A display is also provided, along with logic to provide a visual display of a user'"'"'s performance (as measured through the first performance parameters). In one embodiment, a communication interface is provided to communicate the first performance parameters to at least one remote, similarly-configured, fitness equipment. Performance parameters from the remote fitness equipment are also received through the communication interface. The fitness equipment includes logic to compare the first performance parameters with performance parameters received from remote fitness equipment and display the results in a comparative fashion to the user.

Claims

1. A system for interactive fitness comprising:

a server;

a plurality of geographically-separated fitness equipment configured for communication with the server via a wide-area network, each of the fitness equipment comprising;

at least one operating component;

logic configured to obtain first performance parameters from the at least one operating component;

logic configured to communicate the first performance parameters to a remote fitness equipment via the wide-area network and the server;

logic configured to receive second performance parameters communicated from at least one remote fitness equipment;

a communication interface through which data may be communicated to and from the fitness equipment;

a display associated with the fitness equipment; and

logic configured to drive the display in response to both the first and second performance parameters, such that a performance comparison between the fitness equipment and at least one remote fitness equipment is visually displayed; and

a computer program executed by the server to configure the server for coordinating the communication among the plurality of fitness equipment, such that a plurality of the geographically-separated fitness equipment may simulate interactive exercise events.

2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the fitness equipment is one selected from the group consisting of a treadmill, a skiing machine, an exercise bike, a rowing machine, a stepping machine, and a orbital stepping machine.

3. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the display is one selected from the group consisting of a virtual-reality display, an augmented-reality display, a cathode-ray tube, a liquid-crystal display, a light-emitting diode display, and a gas-plasma display.

4. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one operating component is one selected from the group consisting of a motor, a flywheel, a conveyor, a wheel, and a magnetic arrangement.

5. The system as defined in claim 1, where each fitness equipment further includes logic to download data defining course data for a selected course through the communication interface.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the fitness equipment further comprises:

logic configured to control an aspect of the at least one operating component based on both the first performance parameters and information from stored course data;

logic configured to control the display in response to both the first performance parameters and information from stored course data;

logic configured to permit a user to select at least one competitive racer, the at least one competitive racer being defined by data stored in a memory;

a communications interface and logic for controlling the download of course data through a communication interface;

speech processing logic configured to recognize certain spoken commands and adjust operating parameters of the fitness equipment in response thereto;

a communications interface and logic for controlling the download and installation of a software upgrade through a communication interface; and

a heart-rate sensor and logic configured to control the display to display a current position of a user in a course defined by the course data, the current position of the user being based upon the first performance parameters, further including logic configured to control the display to display a simulated competitive racer, wherein the position and speed of the competitive racer are based upon a combination of the first performance parameters, an output from the heart-rate sensor, and a target heart rate the user, whereby when the output from the heart-rate sensor exceeds the target heart rate, the speed of the simulated competitive racer is less than the speed measured from the first performance parameters and when the target heart rate exceeds the output from the heart-rate sensor, the speed of the simulated competitive racer is greater than the speed measured from the first performance parameters.

6. An interactive fitness equipment comprising:

at least one operating component configured to provide an aspect of exercise for a user of the fitness equipment;

logic configured to obtain first performance parameters from the at least one operating element;

logic configured to communicate the first performance parameters to a remote fitness equipment;

logic configured to receive second performance parameters communicated from the remote fitness equipment;

a display associated with the fitness equipment; and

logic configured to control the display in response to both the first and second performance parameters, such that a performance comparison between the fitness equipment and at least one remote fitness equipment is visually displayed.

7. The interactive fitness equipment as defined in claim 6, further comprising logic provided at the server to provide a plurality of courses for the plurality of fitness equipment.

8. The interactive fitness equipment as defined in claim 7, wherein each of the fitness equipment include logic to download data defining a selected course.

9. The interactive fitness equipment as defined in claim 7, wherein each of the fitness equipment include logic to compare the first performance parameters with course data, such that a user'"'"'s relative position on a course is determined and maintained.

10. The interactive fitness equipment as defined in claim 9, wherein each of the fitness equipment further includes logic to control an operational aspect of the at least one operating component in response to the user'"'"'s relative position on the course.

11. The interactive fitness equipment as defined in claim 10, wherein the logic to control an operation aspect is configured to vary an intensity of the operational aspect in proportion to an elevation grade defined by the course data corresponding to the user'"'"'s relative position.

12. The interactive fitness equipment as defined in claim 6, further including a communication interface.

13. The interactive fitness equipment as defined in claim 12, wherein the communication interface includes logic configured to control communication with the remote fitness equipment over a communication link, wherein the communication link includes one selected from the group consisting of:

a wireless link, a direct electrical connection, a local-area network, and a wide-area network.

14. The interactive fitness equipment as defined in claim 12, wherein the communication interface is configured to communicate directly with the remote fitness equipment.

15. The interactive fitness equipment as defined in claim 12, wherein the communication interface is configured to communicate with the remote fitness equipment through at least one intermediate computer.

16. The interactive fitness equipment as defined in claim 6, further including a microphone and logic for communicating an audible input to the microphone to a remote fitness equipment in the form of audio data.

17. The interactive fitness equipment as defined in claim 6, further including a speaker and logic for audibly outputting audio data received from a remote fitness equipment.

18. An interactive fitness equipment comprising:

at least one operating component configured to provide an aspect of exercise for a user of the fitness equipment;

logic configured to obtain first performance parameters from the at least one operating component;

a memory for storing course data;

a display; and

at least one element selected from the group consisting of;

(1) logic configured to control an aspect of the at least one operating component based on both the first performance parameters and information from stored course data;

(2) logic configured to control the display in response to both the first performance parameters and information from stored course data;

(3) logic configured to permit a user to select at least one competitive racer, the at least one competitive racer being defined by data stored in a memory;

(4) a communications interface and logic for controlling the download of course data through a communication interface;

(5) speech processing logic configured to recognize certain spoken commands and adjust operating parameters of the fitness equipment in response thereto;

(6) a communications interface and logic for controlling the download and installation of a software upgrade through a communication interface; and

(7) a heart-rate sensor and logic configured to control the display to display a current position of a user in a course defined by the course data, the current position of the user being based upon the first performance parameters, further including logic configured to control the display to display a simulated competitive racer, wherein the position and speed of the competitive racer are based upon a combination of the first performance parameters, an output from the heart-rate sensor, and a target heart rate the user, whereby when the output from the heart-rate sensor exceeds the target heart rate, the speed of the simulated competitive racer is less than the speed measured from the first performance parameters and when the target heart rate exceeds the output from the heart-rate sensor, the speed of the simulated competitive racer is greater than the speed measured from the first performance parameters.

19. The interactive fitness equipment as defined in claim 18, having at least three elements selected from the group consisting of:

(1) logic configured to control an aspect of the at least one operating component based on both the first performance parameters and information from stored course data;

(2) logic configured to control the display in response to both the first performance parameters and information from stored course data;

(3) logic configured to permit a user to select at least one competitive racer, the at least one competitive racer being defined by data stored in a memory;

(4) a communications interface and logic for controlling the download of course data through a communication interface;

(5) speech processing logic configured to recognize certain spoken commands and adjust operating parameters of the fitness equipment in response thereto;

(6) a communications interface and logic for controlling the download and installation of a software upgrade through a communication interface; and

(7) a heart-rate sensor and logic configured to control the display to display a current position of a user in a course defined by the course data, the current position of the user being based upon the first performance parameters, further including logic configured to control the display to display a simulated competitive racer, wherein the position and speed of the competitive racer are based upon a combination of the first performance parameters, an output from the heart-rate sensor, and a target heart rate the user, whereby when the output from the heart-rate sensor exceeds the target heart rate, the speed of the simulated competitive racer is less than the speed measured from the first performance parameters and when the target heart rate exceeds the output from the heart-rate sensor, the speed of the simulated competitive racer is greater than the speed measured from the first performance parameters.