Electronic data gathering and processing for fitness machines

• US 20050272561A1
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gregory T. Cammerata
• Original Assignee: Gregory T. Cammerata
• Inventors: Cammerata, Gregory T.
• Application Number:
  US10/862,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20050272561A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/066 with handlebars rotating about a horizontal axis
• 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 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/063 Weight selecting means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0228 Sitting on the buttocks
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• 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 2230/01 User's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/04 heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/70 body fat
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• 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 24/0087 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 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

Fitness machines with attached machine parameter sensors send machine parameter data over a local area network to a computer where the sensed data is stored and processed. The processed data is made available to a user to show machine adjustments made in previous workouts, the number of repetitions made as well as other exercise or health related parameters. Other data which can be entered into the computer includes, for example, a user'"'"'s body dimensions, if any soreness was felt during or immediately after a workout and data from body monitors worn during the workout to monitor, for example, heart rate. The computer can have data on different exercise regimes and application data for suggesting a workout regime for a particular user.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring exercise comprising:

a) a fitness machine for use by a user;

b) a sensor mounted on said fitness machine for sensing an machine parameter of said fitness machine and for converting said sensed parameter into digital data;

c) a local area network for transferring said digital data to a first computing device which receives and processes said digital data.

2. The system for monitoring exercise, according to claim 1, further including an output device in the area of said fitness machine for providing information over said local area network to said user.

3. The system for monitoring exercise, according to claim 2, wherein said output device is a visual display.

4. The system for monitoring exercise, according to claim 1, further including an input device in the area of said fitness machine whereby said user can identify one of himself and herself over said local area network.

5. The system for monitoring exercise, according to claim 1, further including a body measurement device whereby data about a user'"'"'s physical parameters can be sensed, converted to digital data and transferred over said local area network to said first computer.

6. The system for monitoring exercise, according to claim 1, further including a body monitor for monitoring, during exercise, said user'"'"'s body parameters which may change when said user is using said fitness machine, converting said body parameters into digital data and transmitting said digital data to said first computer over said local area network.

7. The system for monitoring exercise, according to claim 1, further including a second computer coupled to said local area network for viewing data stored in said first computer and for entering data at said second computer which is then sent over said local area network to said first computer.

8. The system for monitoring exercise, according to claim 1, further including a large area network connectable to said first computer for transferring data from said first computer to a remote location.

9. The system for monitoring exercise, according to claim 8, wherein said remote location processes said transferred data from said first computer and provides a result of said processing to said first computer over said large area network.

10. The system for monitoring exercise, according to claim 1, wherein said local area network uses one of direct physical connections and wireless connections.

11. A method for monitoring an fitness machine comprising the steps of:

a) converting an machine parameter of said fitness machine into digital data; and

b) transferring said digital data over a local area network to a first computer.

12. The method for monitoring an fitness machine, according to claim 11, including the additional step of transferring information from said first computer over said local area network to a user of said fitness machine.

13. The method for monitoring an fitness machine, according to claim 12, wherein the transfer of information is the transfer of visual information.

14. The method for monitoring an fitness machine, according to claim 11, including the additional step of receiving data manually entered by said user while in the area of said fitness machine and transferring said data over said local area network to said first computer.

15. The method for monitoring an fitness machine, according to claim 11, including the additional step of measuring, at a location remote from any of said fitness machines, a physical parameter of a user, converting said physical parameter to digital data, and transferring said data over said local area network to a first computer.

16. The method for monitoring an fitness machine, according to claim 11, including the additional step of monitoring a body parameter of a user of said fitness machine, wherein said body parameter may change when said user is using said fitness machine, converting said body parameter into digital data and transmitting said digital data to a first computer over said local area network.

17. The method for monitoring an fitness machine, according to claim 11, including the additional step of transferring data over said local area network from said first computer to a second computer for viewing at said second computer data stored in said first computer and for entering data at said second computer which is then sent over said local area network to said first computer.

18. The method for monitoring an fitness machine, according to claim 11, including the additional step of transferring data from said first computer over a large area network to a remote location.

19. The method for monitoring an fitness machine, according to claim 18, including the additional step of processing at said remote location said data transferred from said first computer and providing a result of said processing to said first computer over said large area network.

20. The method for monitoring an fitness machine, according to claim 11, including the additional step of transferring data over said local area network by one of direct connections and wireless connections.