Exercising using a public communication network

• US 6,997,853 B1
• Filed: 04/27/2004
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Evans, Arvid G., Cuskaden, Sandy M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US10/832,602
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• 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 2220/806 Video cameras
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• 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 24/0084 Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• 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: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

A communication interface is coupled to an exercise machine and the public communication network. The communication interface receives first exercise information from an exercise machine wherein the first exercise information indicates exercise performance. Some examples of exercise information are video and audio files for competitive tracking with voice and video interaction. The communication interface then generates first communication information based on the first exercise information. In one embodiment, the communication information is in Internet Protocol packets. The communication interface then transmits the first communication information over the public communication network. The communication interface then receives second communication information from the public communication network. The communication interface then generates second exercise information based on the second communication information wherein the second exercise information indicates a response to the exercise performance. The communication interface then transmits the second exercise information to the exercise machine.

Claims

1. A peer-to-peer network for providing peer-to-peer interaction for exercising, the peer-to-peer network comprising:

a public communication network;

a first exercise node configured to transmit first communication information to the public communication network, wherein the first communication information indicates first exercise performance for a first exercise machine in the first exercise node;

a second exercise node configured to transmit second communication information to the public communication network, wherein the second communication information indicates second exercise performance for a second exercise machine in the second exercise node; and

an exercise server configured to receive the first communication information and the second communication information from the public communication network, determine a first response to the first exercise performance and a second response to the second exercise performance to provide peer-to-peer interaction between a user of the first exercise machine and a user of the second exercise machine, and transmit the first response and the second response to the public communication network;

the first exercise node is further configured to receive the first response from the public communication network, and provide the peer-to-peer interaction to the user of the first exercise machine based on the first response;

the second exercise node is further configured to receive the second response from the public communication network, and provide the peer-to-peer interaction to the user of the second exercise machine based on the second response.

2. The peer-to-peer network of claim 1 wherein the first response includes audio data.

3. The peer-to-peer network of claim 1 wherein the first response includes video data.

4. The peer-to-peer network of claim 1 wherein the first exercise performance comprises data indicating a body condition of an exerciser.

5. The peer-to-peer network of claim 1 wherein the exercise server is configured to determine the first response and the second response based on a computer-generated simulation.

6. The peer-to-peer network of claim 5 wherein the computer-generated simulation creates a race between the user of the first exercise machine and the user of the second exercise machine.

7. The peer-to-peer network of claim 1 wherein first response controls the first exercise machine.

8. The peer-to-peer network of claim 1 wherein the exercise server is further configured to collect and store the first exercise performance for the first exercise node.

9. The peer-to-peer network of claim 1 wherein the public communication network comprises the Internet.

10. The peer-to-peer network of claim 1 wherein the public communication network comprises a public switched telephone network.

11. A method of operating a peer-to-peer network for providing peer-to-peer interaction for exercising, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting first communication information from a first exercise node to a public communication network, wherein the first communication information indicates first exercise performance for a first exercise machine of the first exercise node;

transmitting second communication information from a second exercise node to the public communication network, wherein the second communication information indicates second exercise performance for a second exercise machine of the second exercise node;

receiving the first communication information and the second communication information in an exercise server from the public communication network, determining a first response to the first exercise performance and a second response to the second exercise performance to provide peer-to-peer interaction between a user of the first exercise machine and a user of the second exercise machine, and transmitting the first response and the second response to the public communication network;

receiving the first response in the first exercise node from the public communication network, and providing the peer-to-peer interaction to the user of the first exercise machine based on the first response; and

receiving the second response in the second exercise node from the public communication network, and providing the peer-to-peer interaction to the user of the second exercise machine based on the second response.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first response includes audio data.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the first response includes video data.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the first exercise performance comprises data indicating a body condition of an exerciser.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of determining the first response and the second response comprises:

determining the first response and the second response based on a computer-generated simulation.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of:

creating a race with the computer-generated simulation between the user of the first exercise machine and the user of the second exercise machine.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:

controlling the first exercise machine with the first response.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:

collecting and storing the first exercise performance for the first exercise node in the exercise server.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the public communication network comprises the Internet.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein the public communication network comprises a public switched telephone network.