Exercise system

• US 8,371,990 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2012
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• 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:
  US13/346,684
• Publication Number:
  US 20120108395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 400 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 including a processor, a movable element and an output device and a device including a processor and coupled to the exercise apparatus and to a communication network. The device is configured to receive an exercise program information and mental activity data and to output the exercise program information and the mental activity data to the exercise apparatus. The processor of the exercise apparatus is configured to use the exercise program information to control a parameter associated with the movable element and to control the output device to output the mental activity data during use of the exercise apparatus.

Claims

1. An exercise system comprising:

an exercise apparatus comprising a first processor, a movable element and a panel including a display and at least one input device; and

a device including a second processor and configured to receive exercise program information and mental activity data unrelated to exercise program information, which are addressed thereto over a communication network, the device being further configured to output the exercise program information and the mental activity data to the exercise apparatus,

wherein the first processor is configured to use the exercise program information to control a parameter associated with the movable element during use of the exercise apparatus and to control the display to display the mental activity data during the use of the exercise apparatus.

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

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

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

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

6. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises pedals.

7. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the mental activity data comprises text.

8. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the mental activity data comprises news headlines.

9. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the mental activity data comprises sports scores.

10. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the mental activity data comprises stock market prices.

11. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the mental activity data comprises weather reports.

12. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the mental activity data comprises advertisements.

13. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one input device comprises a button.

14. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the display comprises a liquid crystal display device.

15. The exercise system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a speaker.

16. The exercise system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a memory storing pre-stored exercise program information.

17. An exercise system comprising:

an exercise apparatus comprising a first processor, a movable element and a panel including a display and at least one input device; and

a device including a second processor and configured to receive exercise program information and mental activity data unrelated to exercise program information, which are addressed thereto over a communication network, the device being further configured to output the exercise program information and the mental activity data to the exercise apparatus,

wherein the first processor is configured to use the exercise program information to control a parameter associated with the movable element and to control the display to display the mental activity data while the parameter is controlled.