System and method to improve fitness training

• US 8,103,517 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2001
• Issued: 01/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Desmond Travers, LLC
• Original Assignee: Desmond Travers, LLC
• Inventors: Hinnebusch, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): NELSON, FREDA ANN
• Application Number:
  US10/015,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20020055419A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,695 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 705/2, 705/1, 705/1.1, 705/14.68, 713/201, 709/224, 395/200.5, 482/54, 482 1- 9, 482/57
• US Class Current: 705/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/00 Medicinal preparations containing peptides peptides containing beta-lactam rings A61K31/00; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, A61K31/00; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type A61K31/48; containing macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units A61K31/74; medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies A61K39/00; medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients, e.g. peptides as drug carriers, A61K47/00
• 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 2024/009 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled in synchronism with visualising systems, e.g. hill slope
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0644 with display speed of moving landscape controlled by the user's performance
• 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 22/0076 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 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/50 Force related parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/105 each station having its own resisting device, e.g. for training multiple users simultaneously
• 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 2225/50 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 2230/70 : body fat
• 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: G06Q 10/10 : Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/003 : Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements
• 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

Abstract

A method for creating a personalized exercise routine with at least one user interface used in connection with forming machine-readable instructions protected as private to a user subsequently carrying out the exercise routine on an exercise machine, the method including the steps of: providing the user with at least one user interface to define the personalized exercise routine; forming machine-readable instructions to control the exercise machine to carry out the exercise routine on the exercise machine, said machine instructions protected as private to the user; storing the personalized exercise routine formed in the machine-readable instructions in a memory device; and user-triggered engaging of the machine-readable instructions to control the exercise machine in carrying out the personalized exercise routine. In the method, the step of forming machine-readable instructions to control the exercise machine can includes the steps of associating the exercise routine with a first exercise machine to produce a first set of signals; and subsequently translating the first set of signals into the machine-readable instructions.

Claims

1. An apparatus to produce an exercise routine personalized by a user, the apparatus including:

a first computer system programmed so as to facilitate forming machine-readable instructions corresponding to a personalized exercise routine, wherein said machine-readable instructions are protected as private to the user;

a portable memory device storing the personalized exercise routine formed in the machine-readable instructions and received from the first computer system; and

a second computer system programmed to carry out operations comprising user-triggered enabling of;

translating the private personalized exercise routine, stored in the portable memory device and retrieved from the portable memory device, to a different personalized private exercise routine for each different type of user-selected exercise machine,

controlling an exercise machine in carrying out the different personalized private exercise routine.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operations include storing, in a personal account, medical information and a charge card number respectively corresponding to the user, wherein said account is maintained as personal to the user.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operations include

forming a profile of the user;

and

maintaining the profile of the user as personal to the user.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, the first computer system is programmed so as to facilitate:

downloading and storing the exercise routine on the portable memory device that is physically transportable to said exercise machine to enable said user-triggered engaging step.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said storing includes storing by making an addition to a library of routines.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the operations include storing, in said profile, a charge card number associated with the user.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the operations include enabling, with the stored charge card number, carrying out an on line purchase from the different type of exercise machine while exercising.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the operations include providing a control for at least one type of media including video, TV, e-mail, stock prices, news, horoscope, hobby information, Internet media, or an electronic magazine, the control being stored in a profile of the user.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the providing a control is carried out with two of the media.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the providing a control is carried out with three of the media.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the operations include implementing the control by displaying media at said different type of exercise machine.

12. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the operations include controlling with said profile to output to a display device and to a speaker jack at the exercise machine.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operations include accepting a gym registration application over a network.

14. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the operations include managing gym membership, with said second computer system, including tracking fees of gym users and issuing invoices.

65. The apparatus of any one of claim 1, 15, or 61, wherein the operation of translating is carried out within a home gym.

15. An apparatus to create a personalized exercise routine, the apparatus including:

a first computer system programmed so as to provide at least one user interface that allows a user to select a type of exercise machine, and to create a private personalized exercise routine for a type of exercise machine that is selected;

a second computer system programmed so as to carry out operations including translating the private personalized exercise routine, stored in and retrieved from a portable memory device, to a different personalized private exercise routine for each different type of user-selected exercise machine; and

wherein said second computer system is comprised of at least one of the types of exercise machine that carries out one said different exercise routine.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the operations include

allowing a user profile to be formed and stored in a personal account that is maintained as personal to the user.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the exercise routine comprises

a cardiovascular routine;

and wherein

signals corresponding to the exercise routine are communicated over a network to the different type of exercise machine.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said operations includes:

allowing access, via a virtual private network, to a web-accessible library of modifiable preprogrammed routines; and

allowing modification of said preprogrammed routines.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first computer system is programmed so as to facilitate:

selecting a type of cardiovascular fitness machine as the different type of exercise machine, and specifying a duration of an exercise, a number of time intervals, an intensity, and a speed for each of the intervals.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, further including wherein the operations include facilitating

swiping at least one of a credit card or smart card for access to the different type of exercise machine.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said swiping is carried out with a card reader on a reception admission control system.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the operations include

providing to the first computer system, via communication over a network, an agreement to abide by gym rules.

23. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the operations include providing user access to the Internet at the exercise machine that carries out the one said different exercise routine.

24. The apparatus of claim 15, further including an interface for communicating at least some personal profile data between computer systems of different gyms.

25. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first computer system is programmed so as to facilitate forming a set of exercise routines translated to control different types of exercise machine, and storing the set in the portable memory device.

26. The apparatus of claim 17, further including a browser interface presented at said exercise machine to control Internet communication.

27. The apparatus of claim 15, further including a browser interface presented at said different type of exercise machine to control Internet communication.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, further including an interface for communicating the exercise routine to a controller between the Internet and the exercise machine.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, further including an interface for communicating the exercise routine to a controller between the Internet and the different type of exercise machine.

30. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the operations include controlling, with said profile, interaction with Internet communication while exercising by use of a device that is at least one of a video game joystick on said different type of exercise machine or a flexible touch pad on at least one handle of the different type of exercise machine.

31. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the operations include controlling with said profile programmed, hands-free, Internet communication.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said controlling includes controlling selectable content and presentation format coordinated with timing of the exercise routine.

33. The apparatus of claim 16, further including a sensor monitoring heart rate at the different type of exercise machine, and wherein the operations include storing said heart rate in said user profile.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the operations include:

monitoring speed and intensity of the exercise routine; and

storing said speed and said intensity in said user profile.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, further including an interface for communicating signals corresponding to said heart rate, said speed, and said intensity in an Internet communication sent to the user of the first computer system.

36. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first computer system is programmed to facilitate utilizing a calendar function to schedule use of the different type of exercise machine.

37. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first computer system is programmed so as to facilitate utilizing a calendar function to schedule use of a group of pieces of exercise machine.

38. The apparatus of claim 15, further including a virtual private network providing at least one user interface from the second computer system to the first computer system.

39. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the operations include formatting output at a display device at said different type of exercise machine, said formatting including selectable enlarging of the output.

40. The apparatus of claim 16, further including an interface enabling Internet navigation at said different type of exercise machine during exercising.

41. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the operations include:

permitting, at direction of the user, access to an exercise report, and storing the report in the profile.

42. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the different type of exercise machine comprises one of at least a treadmill, an elliptical trainer, a stationary bike, a stationary ski machine, a stationary rowing machine, or a resistance type machine.

43. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first computer system is programmed so as to facilitate digitally specifying a location of the different type of exercise machine so that exercising is carried out at a location corresponding to at least one of a home, a home gym, a spa, an exercise facility of an apartment complex, and a hotel.

44. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the operations include maintaining a business operations database used in carrying out the translating.

45. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the operations include forming a client profile database containing a profile for each of a plurality of users.

46. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the operations include controlling output of visual and audio Internet media with said profile, the media including at least one of music, a video, multimedia, or chat.

47. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first computer system is programmed so as to facilitate optionally viewing and configuring reports including intensity levels of the exercise routine and heart rate through a web browser interface.

48. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the operations include providing, at the different type of exercise equipment, at least one user interface that includes a corresponding media display, the media from the group including at least one of video, audio, and text.

49. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the operations include providing data to a resource pool database of available exercise machines.

50. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the operations include enabling the user:

logging on to the second computer system by inputting an identification number and password.

51. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the operations include facilitating input into said profile of the user'"'"'s birth date, gender, weight, height, or health history.

52. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the operations include facilitating input of membership of a gym into said profile.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the operations include communicating location of the gym and a gym membership identification number to the first computer system.

54. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the operations include providing a location indicator on the Internet to enable finding a gym capable of carrying out the translating.

55. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the exercise routine on the portable memory device includes an instruction providing control over speed of the different type of exercise machine.

56. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the operations include setting a filter of at least one of web subject matter or content in said profile.

57. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the operations include controlling permission for another to form a group of users.

58. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the operations include accepting, with said second computer system, a gym registration application communicated from the first computer system.

59. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the operations include accepting, with said second computer system, a gym registration application communicated from a computer of the user.

60. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the operations include managing, with said second computer system, a gym membership.

61. An apparatus including:

a computer system programmed so as to carry out the operations of translating a private personalized exercise routine, stored in and retrieved from a portable memory device, to a different private personalized exercise routine for each different type of user-selected exercise machine such that an exercise machine of at least one said type is controlled with one said different private personalized exercise routine.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein:

the personalized exercise routine is stored in the portable memory device with respect to a first user-selected type of exercise machine;

and the operations include translating the exercise routine to an other type of user-selected exercise machine to enable carrying out the personalized exercise routine on the other type of exercise machine.

63. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein said apparatus comprises a computer system, where the exercise routine is formed, and programmed so as to facilitate user-triggered downloading of the exercise routine to the portable memory device.

64. The apparatus of claim 63, further including a virtual private network that allows access to the computer system in downloading the exercise routine from the portable memory device.

66. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the operations include specifying parameters of the exercise routine including type of machine, duration of session, intensity level, and pattern of variation of the intensity level.

67. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the different type of exercise machine comprises one of at least a treadmill, an elliptical trainer, a stationary bike, a stationary ski machine, a stationary rowing machine, or a resistance type machine.

68. The apparatus of claim 62, further including a user computer programmed so as to specify a location corresponding to the different type of exercise machine.

69. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the operations include controlling access to said exercise machine, via a virtual private network of computer devices corresponding to exercise machines, by associating a user identification name and a password to each of said devices.

70. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the operations include forming a client profile database containing a profile for each of a plurality of users.

71. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the operations include facilitating access to a virtual private network in scheduling an exercise session in which the exercise routine is to be carried out, the scheduling being carried out through a web browser interface, and the scheduling including selecting a location, date, and time.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the operations include configuring web viewing through the web browser interface, including:

configuring screens of the web browser, said web browser interface stored on the other exercise machine; and

selecting types of content to be viewed while exercising.

73. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the operations include facilitating initiation of the exercise routine by receiving identification to the different type of exercise machine, the identification including at least one of a name and password on a keypad, information from a smart card to a reader, or information from a magnetic strip to a card reader.

74. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the operations include communication of an indicator of a gym capable of carrying out the translating.

75. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the operations include facilitating accepting, with said computer system, a gym registration application from a user personal computer.