System and method for communicating exerciser-related and/or workout messages

• US 20040117214A1
• Filed: 12/08/2003
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael J Shea
• Original Assignee: Michael J Shea
• Inventors: Shea, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US10/728,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20040117214A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• 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 71/06 : Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• 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 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 : Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 : Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

Systems and methods for communicating exerciser-related messages and/or workouts are disclosed in which, for example, records of exercise activities for the exercisers are stored. Messages relating to one or more of the exercisers are generated based on their records of exercise activities and the messages are communicated over a communication network.

Claims

1. A system for communicating exerciser-related messages comprising:

a database storing records of exercise activities for a plurality of exercisers;

a processing system generating messages relating to one or more of the exercisers based on the records of exercise activities; and

a communication network interface communicating the messages over a communication network.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the messages are generated based on when the exercisers performed exercise activities.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the messages are generated based on whether the exercisers have performed exercise activities for a certain period of time.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the messages are generated based on physiological data for the exercisers measured during exercise activities.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the messages comprise e-mail messages.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the messages are communicated over the communication network to the one or more exercisers.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the messages are communicated over the communication network to fitness consultants for the one or more exercisers.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the database stores e-mail addresses for the exercisers and the messages comprise e-mail messages communicated over the communication network to the one or more exercisers using the e-mail addresses.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the messages comprise requests for replies from the one or more exercisers regarding their exercise activities.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the processing system updates the records of exercise activities of replying exercisers based on their replies.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processing system generates the messages automatically.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processing system generates the messages automatically on a periodic basis.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the database comprises one or more portions that are remotely accessible to the exercisers.

14. A system for communicating exerciser-related messages comprising:

means for storing records of exercise activities for a plurality of exercisers;

means for generating messages relating to one or more of the exercisers based on the records of exercise activities; and

means for communicating the messages over a communication network.

15. A method for communicating exerciser-related messages comprising:

accessing records of exercise activities for a plurality of exercisers stored in a database;

generating messages relating to one or more of the exercisers based on the records of exercise activities; and

communicating the messages over a communication network.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the messages are generated based on when the exercisers performed exercise activities.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the messages are generated based on whether the exercisers have performed exercise activities for a certain period of time.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the messages are generated based on physiological data for the exercisers measured during exercise activities.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the messages comprise e-mail messages.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the messages are communicated over the communication network to the one or more exercisers.

21. The method according to claim 15, wherein the messages are communicated over the communication network to fitness consultants for the one or more exercisers.

22. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

accessing e-mail addresses for the exercisers stored in the database,

wherein the messages comprise e-mail messages communicated over the communication network to the one or more exercisers using the e-mail addresses.

23. The method according to claim 15, wherein the messages comprise requests for replies from the one or more exercisers regarding their exercise activities.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising:

updating the records of exercise activities of replying exercisers based on their replies.

25. A storage medium storing instructions that are executable to perform the method of claim 24.

26. The method according to claim 15, wherein the generating of the messages is carried out automatically.

27. The method according to claim 15, wherein the generating of the messages is carried out automatically on a periodic basis.

28. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

providing remote access to one or more portions of the database to the exercisers.

29. A storage medium storing instructions that are executable to perform the method of claim 15.

30. A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium storing instructions that are executable by the computer system for:

accessing records of exercise activities for a plurality of exercisers stored in a database;

generating messages relating to one or more of the exercisers based on the records of exercise activities; and

communicating the messages over a communication network.

31. A system for communicating workout messages to exercisers comprising:

a database storing data regarding the exercisers;

a processing system generating workout messages for one or more of the exercisers based on the stored data; and

a communication network interface communicating the workout messages over a communication network to the one or more exercisers.

32. The system according to claim 31, wherein the communication network interface receives reply messages from the one or more exercisers regarding the workouts and the processing system updates the data in the database based on the received reply messages.

33. The system according to claim 31, wherein the workout messages comprise e-mail messages.

34. The system according to claim 31, wherein the database stores e-mail addresses for the exercisers and the workout messages comprise e-mail messages communicated over the communication network to the one or more exercisers using the e-mail addresses.

35. The system according to claim 31, wherein the workout messages comprise workouts for one or more particular days.

36. The system according to claim 31, wherein the database comprises one or more portions that are remotely accessible to the exercisers.

37. A system for communicating workout messages to exercisers comprising:

means for storing data regarding the exercisers;

means for generating workout messages for one or more of the exercisers; and

means for communicating the workout messages over a communication network to the one or more exercisers.

38. A method for communicating workout messages to exercisers comprising:

accessing data regarding the exercisers stored in a database;

generating workout messages for one or more of the exercisers based on the stored data; and

communicating the workout messages over a communication network to the one or more exercisers.

39. The method according to claim 38, further comprising:

receiving reply messages from the one or more exercisers regarding the workouts; and

updating the data in the database based on the received reply messages.

40. The method according to claim 38, wherein the workout messages comprise e-mail messages.

41. The method according to claim 38, further comprising:

accessing e-mail addresses for the exercisers stored in the database,

wherein the workout messages comprise e-mail messages communicated over the communication network to the one or more exercisers using the e-mail addresses.

42. The method according to claim 38, wherein the workout messages comprise workouts for one or more particular days.

43. The method according to claim 38, further comprising:

providing remote access to one or more portions of the database to the exercisers.

44. A storage medium storing instructions that are executable to perform the method of claim 38.

45. A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium storing instructions that are executable by the computer system for:

accessing data regarding the exercisers stored in a database;

generating workout messages for one or more of the exercisers based on the stored data; and

communicating the workout messages over a communication network to the one or more exercisers.