Exercise system with graphical feedback and method of gauging fitness progress

• US 8,012,064 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2010
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pantometrics Limited
• Original Assignee: Pantometrics Limited
• Inventors: Martens, Mark H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn
• Application Number:
  US12/961,296
• Publication Number:
  US 20110077129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 274 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 434/247, 600/300, 600/324
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• 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 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0641 with a marker advancing in function of the exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; for particular parts of the body, e.g. to strengthen particular limbs or muscles A63B23/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/64 Frequency, e.g. of vibration oscillation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/02 Testing, calibrating or measuring of equipment
• 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 2230/00 Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/08 other bio-electrical signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/20 blood composition characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/207 P-O2, i.e. partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/16 for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 : specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 : for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 : Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• 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 system and method for providing visual feedback to a user of an exercise machine for gauging fitness progress of the user. The system provides a user of an exercise machine with a virtual competition in which the user competes against virtual competitors based on his past performances or those of other users, either as an individual or as a member of a team. The team may also be part of a league. For an individual competing against his own past performance(s), the system may raise the level of performance required to win the virtual competition, and may also lower the level of performance required if the user is not performing well on a particular day. For an individual competing against others in either real-time or against designated results, either as part of a team or a league, the system may reduce the isolation, disconnection, and tedium often experienced by users of cardiovascular exercise equipment and provide a social outlet. The system attempts to keep the user engaged and motivated to achieve desired fitness goals by providing real-time performance data and historical performance data displayed in a graphical manner coupled with the entertainment and excitement of competition and social interaction.

Claims

1. A system for providing an indication of fitness progress, the system comprising:

at least one sensor adapted to sense a value of at least one workout parameter during a workout of a user and transmit the sensed value as an electronic data signal;

an electronic data storage device adapted to store workout data from at least one workout, said workout data representative of said at least one workout parameter as a function of time;

a processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the electronic data storage device, the processor being programmed to receive the electronic data signal containing the sensed value, store the sensed value in the electronic data storage device and render a graphical representation of the sensed value; and

a display device adapted to display the graphical representation so the progress toward a desired fitness level can be gauged by the user,

wherein the processor is further programmed to connect to an interface adapted to transfer the stored data to a server, external to the system, and, to transfer the stored data to the server via the interface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is programmed to store workout data from a current workout and a previous workout in the electronic data storage device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is adapted to display data from a first workout juxtaposed with data from a second workout different from the first workout.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is programmed to display a comparison of the sensed value of the at least one workout parameter and historical workout data.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is programmed to permit a third-party to access the stored data transferred to the sever.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the server permits access to the third-party when the user provides permission.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the stored data transferred to the server is associated with the first user.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further programmed to render a graphical image including the sensed value juxtaposed with historical data retrieved from the electronic data storage device.