System and method for simulating real world exercise sessions

• US 9,586,090 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2013
• Issued: 03/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Watterson, Scott R., Watterson, Mark D., Watterson, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINTER, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US13/860,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20130274069A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,427 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482 51- 65
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0682 with support elements being cantilevered, i.e. the elements being supported only on one side without bearing on tracks on the floor below the user
• 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 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• 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 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0691 Maps, e.g. yardage maps or electronic maps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/012 using frictional force-resisters electromagnetically-controlled brakes A63B21/0056
• 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 22/0056 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 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/70 Measuring or simulating ambient conditions, e.g. weather, terrain or surface conditions
• 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 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• 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: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising

Abstract

In an exercise system having a remote communication system adapted to communicate with an exercise device, a method for generating an exercise program includes receiving route information identifying a route traveled by an individual during a real world exercise session, receiving audio information identifying a musical selection listened to by the individual during the real world exercise session, using the route information and the audio information to generate an exercise program. The exercise program includes control signals that cause an exercise device to substantially simulate the topographical characteristics of the route traveled by the individual during the real world exercise session, and audio signals representative of the musical selection listened to by the individual during the real world exercise session so that the musical selection is presented during a performance of the exercise program.

Claims

1. In an exercise system having a remote communication system adapted to communicate with a plurality of exercise devices, a method for generating an exercise program comprising:

receiving at a remote communication system route information identifying a route traveled by an individual during a real world exercise session, the remote communication system comprising one or more processors for processing the route information;

generating an exercise program from the route information, the exercise program comprising control signals that cause a first exercise device and a second exercise device to substantially simulate topographical characteristics of the route traveled by the individual during the real world exercise session,

sending the exercise program to the first exercise device, the first exercise device including one or more first movable members;

receiving the exercise program at the first exercise device;

programming the first exercise device to perform the exercise program, the control signals of the exercise program selectively adjusting the one or more first movable members of the first exercise device to simulate the real world exercise session;

sending the same exercise program that was sent to the first exercise device to the second exercise device, the second exercise device including one or more second movable members, the first exercise device and the second exercise device being different types of exercise devices;

receiving the exercise program at the second exercise device; and

programming the second exercise device to perform the exercise program, the control signals of the exercise program selectively adjusting the one or more second movable members of the second exercise device to simulate the real world exercise session.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the route information is received from a device that senses the route information during the real world exercise session and communicatively transfers the route information to the remote communication system.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising retrieving data from a third party regarding the route traveled by the individual during the real world exercise session.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising retrieving data from a third party regarding a musical selection listened to by the individual during the real world exercise session.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the exercise program further comprises display signals that cause the first exercise device to display images of the route traveled by the individual during the real world exercise session.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising retrieving data from a third party regarding the route traveled by the individual during the real world exercise session, wherein the third party data is used to generate the display signals.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the display signals comprise video images.

8. The method of claim 5 further comprising synchronizing the control signals and the display signals.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first exercise device is a treadmill and the control signals of the exercise program cause an actuator associated with a treadmill tread base to adjust an inclination of the tread base.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the control signals of the exercise program cause the actuator associated with the treadmill tread base to adjust a side to side tilt of the tread base.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first exercise device is an exercise cycle;

wherein the one or more first movable members of the first exercise device comprise one or more pedals of the exercise cycle; and

wherein the control signals of the exercise program cause an actuator associated with the one or more pedals of the first exercise device to adjust a rotational resistance applied to the pedals.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the control signals of the exercise program cause an actuator associated with an exercise device frame to adjust a tilt of the exercise device frame.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising making the exercise program available for download to the first exercise device and the second exercise device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the exercise program is available for download to the first exercise device and the second exercise device via the Internet.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving audio information identifying a musical selection listened to by the individual during the real world exercise session.

16. A system that generates an exercise program for two or more different types of exercise devices, the system capable of communicating the same exercise program that was sent to the first exercise device to a second exercise device and communicating the exercise program to a second exercise device, the system comprising:

a first exercise device comprising a first movable element that moves during the performance of an exercise, the first movable element including a first operating parameter that is selectively adjustable;

a second exercise device comprising a second movable element that moves during the performance of an exercise, the second movable element including a second operating parameter that is selectively adjustable;

a remote communication system that can communicate with the first exercise device and the second exercise device, the remote communication system being receptive to receive data identifying a real world exercise route traveled by an individual during an exercise session, the remote communication system including one or more processors for processing the received data relating to the real world exercise route; and

a single exercise program for both the first exercise device and the second exercise device based upon the received data, the first exercise device and the second exercise device being different types of exercise devices, the exercise program comprising control signals that selectively adjust the first operating parameter of the first movable element of the first exercise device to simulate terrain characteristics of the real world exercise route and display signals that include visual images of the real world exercise route, the exercise program being communicated to the first exercise device and the first exercise device being capable of performing the exercise program.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising audio signals representative of the playlist of songs listened to by the individual during the exercise session.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the remote communication system communicates with the first exercise device via a portable memory device.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the control signals selectively adjust an inclination level of a treadmill tread base.

20. A computer system, comprising:

one or more processors;

system memory; and

one or more computer storage media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computer system to implement a method for generating a single exercise program for both of two different types of exercise devices, the method for generating the exercise program comprising;

receiving route information identifying a route traveled by an individual during a real world exercise session;

using the route information to generate the single exercise program for both of two different types of exercise devices that simulate the real world exercise session on the different types of exercise devices, the exercise program comprising;

first control signals that cause a first type of exercise device to substantially simulate topographical characteristics of the route traveled by the individual during the real world exercise session, the first type of exercise device comprising a first movable element, the first control signals selectively adjusting the first movable element to simulate the real world exercise session; and

second control signals that cause a second type of exercise device to substantially simulate topographical characteristics of the route traveled by the individual during the real world exercise session, the second type of exercise device comprising a second movable element, the second control signals selectively adjusting the second movable element to simulate the real world exercise session; and

transferring the exercise program to a first exercise device of the first type of exercise devices; and

programming the first exercise device of the first type of exercise devices to perform the exercise program.

21. The computer system of claim 20, wherein the method further comprises:

transferring the exercise program to a first exercise device of the second type of exercise devices; and

programming the first exercise device of the second type of exercise devices to perform the exercise program.