INTERVAL TIMING DEVICE

• US 20120075959A1
• Filed: 09/28/2011
• Published: 03/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cody Keith
• Original Assignee: Cody Keith
• Inventors: KEITH, CODY
• Granted Patent: US 8,867,319 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/11
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 3/08 Additional arrangements in connection with ordinary electric clocks for this purpose

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an interval timing device and methods of utilizing the same. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a device for timing customized interval exercises, having set workout periods and rest periods, over a predetermined number of intervals and methods of utilizing the same. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an interval timing device comprises a housing, a means for starting the interval timing device, at least one graphical user interface for displaying multimedia content, wherein the at least one graphical user interface comprises an exercise hold timer, a rest timer, and a repetition counter.

Claims

1. An interval timing device comprising:

a housing;

a means for starting the interval timing device; and

at least one graphical user interface for displaying multimedia content, wherein the at least one graphical user interface comprises an exercise hold timer, a rest timer, and a repetition counter.

2. The interval timing device of claim 1, wherein the means for starting the interval timing device comprises a start button.

3. The interval timing device of claim 2, wherein the start button provides instructions to either start the interval timing device when in an off position, or to pause the interval timing device when in a timing position.

4. The interval timing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one graphical user interface further comprises a general timer for timing an entire interval workout routine.

5. The interval timing device of claim 1, wherein each of the exercise hold timer, rest timer, and repetition counter comprises an adjustment key to increase or decrease a pre-set value.

6. The interval timing device of claim 5, wherein each of the exercise hold timer, rest timer, and repetition counter comprises a reset button to restore its value to zero.

7. The interval timing device of claim 1, wherein exercise hold timer is in communication with a sensor for assisting in the counting of repetitions of an exercise.

8. The interval timing device of claim 7, wherein the sensor comprises one of a visual sensor for sensing the completion of an exercise, an audio sensor for receiving audible information regarding the completion of an exercise, or a data sensor for wired or wireless communication with an exercise machine regarding the completion of an exercise.

9. The interval timing device of claim 1, further comprising at least one visual/audio indicator for notifying the user when certain time periods or counts have been reached during an exercise.

10. The interval timing device of claim 1, wherein the at least one visual/audio indicator comprises one of an LED screen, an alarm, a blinking light, or combinations thereof.

11. A method of interval training utilizing an interval timing device comprising:

providing an interval timing device comprising;

a housing;

a means for starting the interval timing device; and

at least one graphical user interface for displaying multimedia content, wherein the at least one graphical user interface comprises an exercise hold timer, a rest timer, and a repetition counter;

setting the exercise hold timer, the rest timer and the repetition counter to predetermined values;

engaging the means for starting the interval timing device;

conducting an exercise routine in accordance with the exercise hold timer;

resting in accordance with the rest timer, upon commencement of the rest timer; and

re-conducting an exercise routine upon indication by the repetition counter, and recommencement of the exercise hold timer.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the exercise routine comprises a plurality of individual exercises, each of the plurality of individual exercises having its own time interval or count interval;

and

wherein conducting an exercise routine in accordance with the exercise hold timer comprises completion of each of the plurality of individual exercises.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the means for starting the interval timing device comprises a start button that provides instructions to either start the interval timing device when in an off position, or to pause the interval timing device when in a timing position.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein setting the exercise hold timer, the rest timer and the repetition counter to predetermined values comprises pressing an adjustment key to increase or decrease each timer or counter to the predetermined value.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein setting the exercise hold timer, the rest timer and the repetition counter to a predetermined value comprises pressing a reset button for each timer or counter, where the predetermined value is zero.

16. A computer readable medium comprising a computer program having executable code, the computer program for enabling an interval timing device, the computer program comprising instructions for:

creating a virtual interval timing device on a graphical user interface of a computer, the virtual interval timing device having visual representations of a means for starting the interval timing device, an exercise hold timer, a rest timer, and a repetition counter;

enabling a user to set the exercise hold timer, the rest timer and the repetition counter to predetermined values;

enabling a user to start the interval timing device;

operating the exercise hold timer while an exercise routine is conducted;

operating the rest timer, upon completion of the exercise routine;

adjusting the repetition counter by one unit upon completing of the rest timer; and

resetting and reoperating the exercise hold timer while the exercise routine is reconducted.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the exercise routine comprises a plurality of individual exercises, each of the plurality of individual exercises having its own time interval or count interval, and

wherein operating the exercise hold timer while an exercise routine is conducted comprises operation of the exercise hold timer until completion of each of the plurality of individual exercises.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the graphical user interface of a computer comprises the touchscreen of a mobile communications device.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein enabling the user to set the exercise hold timer, the rest timer and the repetition counter to predetermined values comprises pressing a virtual adjustment key to increase or decrease each timer or counter to the predetermined value.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein enabling the user to set the exercise hold timer, the rest timer and the repetition counter to a predetermined value comprises pressing a virtual reset button for each timer or counter, where the predetermined value is zero.