Exercise system

• US 8,092,346 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2010
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael J Shea
• Original Assignee: Michael J Shea
• Inventors: Shea, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US12/890,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20110015039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 472 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 434/247
• US Class Current: 482/9
• 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 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0697 : Reservation devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/00 : Electrically-operated educational appliances working with questions and answers G09B7/00; simulators G09B9/00; advertising or displaying in general G09F
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry

Abstract

An example exercise system includes an exercise apparatus having a processor and a movable element and a device coupled to the exercise apparatus and to a communication network. The device is configured to receive an exercise program and to output the exercise program to the exercise apparatus.

Claims

1. An exercise system comprising:

an exercise apparatus including a movable element, memory storing exercise program information, an interface, and a first processor; and

a device including a second processor and coupled to the exercise apparatus and to a communication network, the device being configured to receive additional exercise program information contained in an addressed communication communicated over the communication network from a computer,

wherein the interface is configured to permit selection of exercise program information from between the exercise program information stored in the memory and the additional exercise program information received by the device and the first processor is configured to control a characteristic of the movable element in accordance with selected exercise program information.

2. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the interface comprises one or more interface elements arranged on a panel of the exercise apparatus.

3. The exercise system according to claim 2, wherein the interface elements comprise a display.

4. The exercise system according to claim 2, wherein the interface elements comprise a speaker.

5. The exercise system according to claim 2, wherein the interface elements comprises one or more keys.

6. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the device is further configured to receive mental activity data communicated over the communication network and the interface is configured to output the mental activity data.

7. The exercise system according to claim 6, wherein the interface comprises a display configured to display the mental activity data.

8. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the exercise apparatus is configured to communicate data to another computer.

9. The exercise system according to claim 8, wherein the data communicated to the other remote computer comprises data relating to use of the exercise apparatus.

10. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the exercise apparatus further comprises a port configured for connection to an output device.

11. The exercise system according to claim 10, wherein the port is configured for connection to an external display device.

12. The exercise system according to claim 11, wherein the selected exercise program information generates displays for display on an external display device connected to the port.

13. The exercise system according to claim 12, wherein the generated displays show a simulated competition.

14. The exercise system according to claim 13, wherein the simulated competition is a race.

15. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises a stationary bicycle.

16. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises a treadmill.

17. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises a weight machine.

18. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises a stepper.

19. An exercise system comprising:

an exercise apparatus including a movable element, memory storing exercise program information, an interface, and a first processor; and

a device including a second processor and being coupled to the exercise apparatus and to a communication network, the device being configured to receive additional exercise program information contained in an addressed communication which originates from a remote computer and which is communicated over the communication network to which the device is coupled, the device being further configured to output the additional exercise program information to the exercise apparatus,

wherein the interface is configured to allow selection of exercise program information from between the exercise program information stored in the memory and the additional exercise program information and the first processor is configured to control a characteristic of the movable element in accordance with selected exercise program information.

20. The exercise system according to claim 19, wherein the device is further configured to receive other information and to output the other information to the exercise apparatus, the other information comprising information for output via the interface of the exercise apparatus.

21. The exercise system according to claim 20, wherein the other information comprises display information for output on a display of the interface.