User identification and safety key for exercise device

• US 8,986,165 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2013
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Ashby, Darren C.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US13/787,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20130237374A1
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482/51, 482/54, 482900-902, 434/247
• US Class Current: 482/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0081 Stopping the operation of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• 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 22/02 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 2225/096 automatically adjusted according to anthropometric data of the user
• 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 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• 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 71/0054 Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping A63B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/00 Safety devices acting in conjunction with the control or operation of a machine; Control arrangements requiring the simultaneous use of two or more parts of the body F16P5/00 takes precedence

Abstract

A key includes a safety mechanism operatively connectable to a safety port on an exercise device. When the safety mechanism is operatively connected to the safety port, the exercise device is placed in an operational configuration and when disconnected, the exercise device is in a non-operational configuration. The key further includes a user identification mechanism that is communicatively connectable to a user identification port on the exercise device and transmits user identification information to the exercise device.

Claims

1. A key connectable with an exercise device, the key comprising:

a safety mechanism that is operatively connectable to a safety port on an exercise device, wherein the safety mechanism places the exercise device in an operational configuration when the safety mechanism is operatively connected to the safety port, and wherein the exercise device is in a non-operational configuration when the safety mechanism is not operatively connected to the safety port; and

a user identification mechanism that is communicatively connectable to a user identification port on the exercise device, wherein the user identification mechanism transmits user identification information to the exercise device when the user identification mechanism is communicatively connected to the user identification port, the user identification information comprises key identifying information.

2. The key of claim 1, wherein the user identification mechanism may selectively receive and store data within a key memory.

3. The key of claim 2, wherein the key memory stores data relating to a use of the exercise device.

4. The key of claim 2, wherein the key memory stores data that is input to the key memory through user input controls on an exercise device.

5. The key of claim 2, wherein the data includes at least one of a user'"'"'s gender, age, weight.

6. The key of claim 5, wherein the user identification information comprises at least a portion of the data that is stored within the key memory.

7. The key of claim 1, wherein the user identification mechanism transmits user identification information through a wireless connection.

8. The key of claim 1, wherein the user identification mechanism comprises a radio frequency identification chip.

9. The key of claim 1, wherein the user identification mechanism is communicatively connectable to a user identification port on an external computer.

10. The key of claim 9, wherein the user identification mechanism comprises a universal serial bus drive.

11. The key of claim 1, wherein the safety mechanism is operatively connectable to an exercise device safety port via a reed switch.

12. The key of claim 1, wherein a magnet is used to maintain an operative connection between the key and an exercise device.

13. The key of claim 1, further comprising a lanyard.

14. The key of claim 13, wherein the lanyard includes a user attachment mechanism.

15. An exercise system comprising:

an exercise device having a key receiver;

a first key that is selectively connectable to the key receiver; and

a second key that is selectively connectable to the key receiver when the first key is not connected to the key receiver,

wherein the exercise device is in an operational configuration when either the first or second key is connected to the key receiver,

wherein the exercise device is in a non-operational configuration when neither the first nor second key is connected to the key receiver,

wherein the exercise device receives user identification information from the first key when the first key is connected to the key receiver, and

wherein the exercise device receives user identification information from the second key when the second key is connected to the key receiver.

16. The exercise system of claim 15, wherein the user identification information comprises key identifying information.

17. The exercise system of claim 15, wherein the user identification information includes at least one of a user'"'"'s gender, age, weight, height, body fat percentage, resting heart rate, and blood pressure.

18. An exercise system comprising:

an external key having a safety mechanism and a user identification mechanism;

a first exercise device having a first key receiver comprising a first safety port and a first user identification port; and

a second exercise device having a second key receiver comprising a second safety port and a second user identification port,

wherein the safety mechanism is operatively and individually connectable to the first and second safety ports, and the user identification mechanism is communicatively and individually connectable to the first and second user identification ports,

wherein the first exercise device is maintained in an operational configuration when the safety mechanism is operatively connected to the first safety port and is placed in a non-operational configuration in the absence of an operable connection between the safety mechanism and the first safety port,

wherein the second exercise device is maintained in an operational configuration when the safety mechanism is operatively connected to the second safety port and is placed in a non-operational configuration in the absence of an operable connection between the safety mechanism and the second safety port,

wherein user identification information is transmitted to the first exercise device when the user identification mechanism is communicatively connected to the first user identification port, and

wherein user identification information is transmitted to the second exercise device when the user identification mechanism is communicatively connected to the second user identification port.

19. The exercise system of claim 18, wherein the first exercise device is a treadmill and the second exercise device is either an elliptical machine or an exercise bike.