Systems and methods for enabling two-way communication between one or more exercise devices and computer devices and for enabling users of the one or more exercise devices to competitively exercise

• US 20020045519A1
• Filed: 09/05/2001
• Published: 04/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Original Assignee: Icon-Ip Pty Limited
• Inventors: Ashby, Darren C., Watterson, Scott R., Dalebout, William T., Ashby, Robert D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,166,064 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/54
• 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 2071/0641 with a marker advancing in function of the exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0644 with display speed of moving landscape controlled by the user's performance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0677 Input by image recognition, e.g. video signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/005 using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
• 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 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/025 electrically, e.g. D.C. motors with variable speed control
• 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 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• 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 2225/305 Remote servicing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/01 User's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 : blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 : temperature
• 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 71/0616 : Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings
• 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: 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: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 : Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 : Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing two-way communication between an exercise device and a computer device. A computer device and an exercise device employ different protocol formats and communicate through a translator device, which includes a microcontroller specifically designed to translate data or signals deliverable by different communication protocols. The exercise device, the computer device, or a user at either the exercise or computer device may initiate the communication. The enabled communication allows for such features as the performance of an automatic diagnostic analysis on the exercise device, the programming of internal parameters of the exercise device upon identifying specific components, the monitoring of any measurable parameter of the user, the providing of instructional direction and/or encouragement relating to a particular exercise routine, the controlling of the amount of resistance experienced by the user of the exercise device, and other interactions facilitated by the translator device.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

means for receiving computer data from a computer device, the computer data being deliverable using a computer communication protocol;

means for generating exercise data, based upon the computer data, in accordance with an exercise communication protocol such that the exercise data is deliverable to the exercise device; and

means for delivering the exercise data to the exercise device.

2. An exercise device as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for generating comprises a microcontroller.

3. An exercise device as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for receiving comprises a communication interface.

4. An exercise device as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for generating comprises a translator integrally formed with the exercise device.

5. An exercise device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

means for sensing exercise data at the exercise device;

means for generating computer data, based upon the exercise data, in accordance with the computer communication protocol; and

means for delivering the computer data to the computer device;

6. An exercise device as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for receiving comprises an RS-232 port.

7. An exercise device as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer communication protocol is a RS-232 protocol.

52. A method as recited in claim 51, wherein the first exercise device and the second device are selected from the group consisting of (i) a treadmill, (ii) an exercise Cycle, (iii) a ski exercise device, (iv) a rower, (v) a stepper, (vi) a hiker, (vii) a climber, (viii) an elliptical exercise device, (ix) an incline trainer, and (x) a weight system.

8. An exercise system configured to enable a user to perform a physical exercise, the system comprising:

an exercise device comprising a movable element configured to enable the performance of an exercise by a user;

a computer device communicatively coupled to the exercise device; and

a translator device communicatively coupled to the exercise device and the computer device, the translator device being configured to facilitate communication between the exercise device and the computer device by (i) translating data deliverable using an exercise communication protocol into data deliverable by a computer communication protocol; and

(ii) translating data deliverable using the computer communication protocol into data deliverable by the exercise communication protocol.

9. An exercise system as recited in claim 8, wherein the translator device includes a microcontroller that translates the data.

10. An exercise system as recited in claim 8, wherein the translator device is internal to one of the exercise device and the computer device.

11. An exercise system as recited in claim 8, wherein the exercise communication protocol is an I²C protocol.

12. An exercise system as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer communication protocol is an RS-232 protocol.

13. An exercise system as recited in claim 8, wherein the translator device includes a first interface configured to communicatively couple with the computer device via a first transmission medium and a second interface configured to communicatively couple with the exercise device via a second transmission medium.

14. An exercise system as recited in claim 13, wherein the first transmission medium and the second transmission medium comprise a transmission medium selected from the group consisting of wireless transmission, radio frequency transmission, fiber-optic transmission, and electrical signal transmission.

15. An exercise system as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer device is remote from the exercise device.

16. An exercise system as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer device is communicatively coupled to the translator device through a network.

17. An exercise system as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer device delivers control signals to the translator device, the control signals configured to change at least one operating parameter of the exercise device.

18. An exercise system as recited in claim 8, wherein the computer device initiates a diagnostic process upon the exercise device.

19. An exercise system as recited in claim 8, wherein the exercise device delivers exercise data indicative of at least one measurable parameter of the exercise device.

20. An exercise system as recited in claim 8, wherein the exercise device delivers exercise data indicative of at least one measurable parameter of a user using the exercise device.

21. In a system that includes an exercise device and a computer device that employ different communication protocols, a method for exchanging data between the devices, the method comprising:

a step for receiving computer data from a computer device, the computer data being deliverable in accordance with a computer communication protocol;

a step for generating exercise data deliverable to an exercise device in accordance with an exercise communication protocol, the exercise data being based upon the computer data; and

a step for delivering the exercise data to the exercise device.

22. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein the step for generating is performed by a microcontroller.

23. A method as recited in claim 21, further comprising:

a step for receiving exercise data deliverable using the exercise communication protocol from the exercise device;

a step for generating computer data deliverable to the computer device, the computer data being based upon the exercise data; and

a step for delivering the computer data to the computer device.

24. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein the steps for delivering the computer data and delivering the exercise data comprise delivering computer data or the exercise data via a transmission medium.

25. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the transmission medium comprises a transmission medium selected form the group consisting of wireless transmission, radio frequency transmission, fiber-optic transmission, and electrical signal transmission

26. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein the step for preparing is performed internal to one of the computer device, the translator device, or the exercise device.

28. A method as recited in claim 27, further comprising:

a step for generating other computer data based upon the computer data received by the computer device; and

upon receiving the other computer data, a step for generating other exercise data based upon the other computer data; and

a step for changing the operation of the exercise device based upon the other exercise data.

27. In a system that includes an exercise device and a computer device, a method for transmitting information between the devices, the method comprising:

a step for delivering exercise data deliverable in accordance with an exercise communication protocol from an exercise device to a translator device, the exercise data indicative of one or more values of one or more operating parameters of the exercise device;

a step for preparing computer data, based upon the exercise data, the computer data being deliverable in accordance with a computer communication protocol to a computer device; and

a step for delivering the computer data to the computer.

29. A computer program product for implementing within a system a method for enabling data exchange between an exercise device that employs a first protocol format and a computer device that employs a second protocol format, the computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium carrying computer-executable instructions for implementing;

a step for receiving data in a first protocol format from the computer device;

a step for reformatting the data from the first protocol format to a second protocol format; and

a step for transmitting the data in the second protocol format to the exercise device.

30. A system configured to enable a plurality of users to compete in a virtual race, the system comprising:

at least one exercise device configured to enable at least one user to exercise thereon and to track a plurality of performances by the at least one user during a virtual race;

at least one computer device configured to compare a first performance with a second performance during the virtual race; and

at least one translator device configured to communicatively couple the at least one exercise device to the at least one computer device.

31. A system as recited in claim 30, wherein the first performance and the second performance are performed by the same at least one user.

32. A system as recited in claim 30, wherein the first performance is associated with a first exercise device of the at least one exercise device and the second performance is associated with a second exercise device of the at least one exercise device.

33. A system as recited in claim 32, wherein the first exercise device and the second exercise device are different exercise devices.

34. A system as recited in claim 30, wherein at least one user is a virtual user.

35. A system as recited in claim 30, further comprising a network connecting the at least one exercise device to the at least one computer device.

36. A system as recited in claim 35, wherein the network uses wireless connections, radio frequency connections, fiber-optic connections, or electrical signal connections.

37. A system as recited in claim 30, wherein the start time for the one user is different from the start time for the other user.

39. An exercise system as recited in claim 38, wherein the first computer device is configured to selectively modify an operating parameter of the first exercise device.

40. An exercise device as recited in claim 38, wherein the second computer device is configured to selectively modify an operating parameter of the second exercise device.

41. An exercise device as recited in claim 38, wherein the means for providing communication is a network.

42. An exercise device as recited in claim 41, wherein the network is a local area network, a wide area network, or the Internet.

43. An exercise device as recited in claim 38, wherein the means for comparing comprises a communication system.

44. An exercise device as recited in claim 38, wherein the first start time and the second start time are different times.

45. An exercise device as recited in claim 38, wherein the first start time and the second start time correspond to the same time.

47. A method as recited in claim 46, wherein comparing the performance comprises determining an order in which each of the plurality of users completed a virtual race.

48. A method as recited in claim 46, wherein at least one of the plurality of user is a virtual user.

49. A method as recited in claim 46, wherein each start time for each of the plurality of users is the same.

50. A method as recited in claim 46, further comprising notifying each of the plurality of users of a winner of the virtual race during a cooling down period subsequent to the end of the virtual race.

38. An exercise system configured to provide a competitive environment for one or more exercising users, the system comprising:

a first exercise device communicatively connected to a first computer device, wherein the first computer device is configured to monitor use of the first exercise device relative to a first start time, and wherein the communication of the first exercise device and the first computer device is facilitated by a first translator device;

a second exercise device communicatively connected to a second computer device, wherein the second computer device is configured to monitor use of the second exercise device relative to a second start time, and wherein the communication of the second exercise device and the second computer device is facilitated by a second translator device;

means for comparing the use of the first exercise device relative to the first start time with the use of the second exercise device relative to the second start time; and

means for providing communication between the first computer device, the second computer device and the comparing means.

46. In a networked system that includes an exercise device, a translator device and a computer device, a method for enabling competitive user interaction, the method comprising:

tracking a performance of a plurality of users upon a plurality of exercise devices as each of the plurality of users competitively exercise, the performance of each of the plurality of users being tracked relative to a start time of each of the plurality of users;

delivering data indicative of the performance of each of the plurality of users, through a translator device, to a communication system; and

upon comparing the performance of each of the plurality of users the, notifying one user of the plurality of users of the performance of the another user of the plurality of users.

51. In a networked system that includes a server and a plurality of clients, a method for enabling one or more users to compete in a virtual race using one or more clients, the method comprising:

receiving first data at the server, wherein the first data represents a first user performance at a first client;

receiving second data at the server, wherein the second data represents a second user performance at a second client;

comparing the first data to the second data to determine which data represents a distance traveled in a faster time during the virtual race; and

communicating to the first client data indicative of the performance of the second user and to the second client data indicative of the performance of the first user.

53. A method as recited in claim 51, wherein the distance traveled represents a virtual distance.

54. A computer program product for implementing within an exercise system a method for enabling competitive user interaction, the computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium carrying computer program code means utilized to implement the method, wherein the computer program code means comprises executable code for implementing;

tracking a performance of a plurality of users upon a plurality of exercise devices as each of the plurality of users competitively exercise, the performance of each of the plurality of users being tracked relative to a first start time of each of the plurality of users;

delivering data indicative of the performance of each of the plurality of users, through a translator device, to a communication system; and

upon comparing the performance of each of the plurality of users, notifying one user of the plurality of users of the performance of another user of the plurality of users.

55. An exercise systems comprising:

a moveable element for movement in performance of exercise by a user, the moveable element being controlled by exercise data formatted in accordance with an exercise communication protocol; and

a control panel adapted to enable a user to control the movement of the moveable element, the control panel comprising;

means for communicatively coupling the movable element to a computer device and for receiving computer data from the computer device, the computer data being formatted in accordance with a computer communication protocol; and

means for generating exercise data from the computer data to move the moveable element in accordance with the exercise data.

56. An exercise system as recited in claim 55, further comprising a control panel, the control panel comprising the means for coupling and the means for generating.

57. An exercise system as recited in claim 55, wherein the means for generating comprises a translator device configured to prepare computer data and exercise data.

58. An exercise system as recited in claim 55, wherein the means for generating comprises a processor.

59. An exercise system as recited in claim 55, wherein the exercise communication protocol is I²C protocol.

60. An exercise system as recited in claim 55, wherein the computer communication protocol RS-232 protocol.

61. An exercise system as recited in claim 55, wherein the means for coupling comprises a RS-232 port.

62. An exercise system as recited in claim 55, further comprising means for generating computer data based upon the exercise data.

63. An exercise system as recited in claim 55, further comprising means for delivering the computer data to the computer device.