Exercise machine information system

• US 8,047,965 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2010
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• 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): Richman; Glenn
• Application Number:
  US12/780,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20100222178A1
• Time in Patent Office: 534 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 434/247, 709201-203, 709/223, 705/7, 705/26
• US Class Current: 482/8
• 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 example system and method involves receiving data communicated from multiple exercise machines and storing machine-related data for the multiple exercise machines. The machine-related data includes at least maintenance data, use data and warranty data for a respective one or more of the exercise machines. The machine-related data is updated based on the data received from the multiple exercise machines and one or more operations is automatically performed with reference to the stored machine-related data to produce operation-generated information about one or more of the multiple exercise machines.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an interface for receiving data communicated from multiple exercise machines;

a storage medium for storing machine-related data for the multiple exercise machines, the machine-related data comprising at least maintenance data, use data and warranty data for a respective one or more of the exercise machines; and

a processor for updating the machine-related data based on the data received from the multiple exercise machines and for automatically performing one or more operations with reference to at least some of the stored machine-related data to produce operation-generated information about one or more of the multiple exercise machines.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the operation-generated information is maintenance information.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the multiple exerciser machines include exercise machines located at different health club facilities.

4. A method comprising:

receiving data communicated from multiple exercise machines;

storing machine-related data for the multiple exercise machines, the machine-related data comprising at least maintenance data, use data and warranty data for a respective one or more of the exercise machines;

updating the machine-related data based on the data received from the multiple exercise machines; and

automatically performing one or more operations with reference to at least some of the stored machine-related data to produce operation-generated information about one or more of the multiple exercise machines.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the operation-generated information is maintenance information.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the multiple exerciser machines include exercise machines located at different health club facilities.

7. A system, comprising:

multiple processor-controlled exercise machines;

a server computer comprising an interface for receiving data communicated from the multiple exercise machines;

storage for storing machine-related data for the multiple exercise machines, the machine-related data comprising at least maintenance, use and warranty data for a respective one or more of the exercise machines; and

a processor for updating the machine-related data based on the data received from the multiple exercise machines and for automatically performing one or more operations with reference to at least some of the stored machine-related data to produce operation-generated information about one or more of the multiple exercise machines.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the multiple exercise machines include one or more of weight machines, stair climbers, steppers, rowing machines, ski machines, treadmills, cross trainers, and stationary bicycles.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the multiple exercise machines are adapted for wireless communication.

10. A computer readable medium having at least one physical media and encoded with computer program code for accessing a data structure comprising machine-related data for one or more of multiple exercise machines, the medium having stored thereon a data structure including machine-related data for each of one or more of the multiple exercise machines, the data structure comprising:

a first data field including data regarding maintenance of the exercise machines;

a second data field including data regarding use of the exercise machines; and

a third data field including data regarding a warranty of the exercise machines, wherein the program code automatically performs one or more operations with reference to at least some of the stored machine-related data to produce operation-generated information about one or more of the multiple exercise machines.

11. A system comprising:

an interface for receiving information communicated from multiple exercise machines configured for wireless communication;

a storage medium for storing machine-related information for the multiple exercise machines, the machine-related information comprising at least maintenance information, use information and manufacturer information for a respective one or more of the exercise machines; and

a processor for updating the machine-related information based on the information received from the multiple exercise machines.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the manufacturer information comprises manufacturer name.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the maintenance information comprises information relating to prior maintenance.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the maintenance information comprises information relating to future maintenance.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein the machine-related information further comprises warranty information.

16. The system according to claim 11, wherein the machine-related information further comprises location information relating to machine location.

17. The system according to claim 11, wherein the wherein the multiple exerciser machines include exercise machines located at different health club facilities.

18. The system according to claim 11, wherein the multiple exercise machines include one or more of treadmills, cross trainers, and stationary bicycles.