Exercise apparatus

• US 6,171,218 B1
• Filed: 06/10/1999
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael J Shea
• Original Assignee: Michael J Shea
• Inventors: Shea, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US09/329,355
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51-53, 482/57-65, 482/900, 482/901, 482/902, 482/903, 482/1-8
• US Class Current: 482/57
• 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 23/0476 by rotating cycling movement arrangements on or for real bicycles A63B69/16
• 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 24/0084 : 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 71/0622 : 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: 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 8/90 : Basic emulsifiers for dyeing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 8/901 : Quaternary ammonium salts

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes an exercise device, a memory including a first memory portion, and a receiver for receiving exercise programs transmitted over a first communication link. A control unit supplies received exercise programs to the first memory portion for storage in the first memory portion as first exercise programs and selectively controls the exercise device in accordance with the first exercise programs.

Claims

1. For use with a remotely located computer, an exercise apparatus comprising:

an exercise device;

selection circuitry configured to permit the selection of exercise program data;

a control circuit configured to control said exercise device based on the selected exercise program data;

a communication circuit configured to receive advertisements transmitted from said remotely located computer; and

a display,

wherein said control circuit is further configured to control said display to display the advertisements received from said remotely located computer.

2. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit is configured to control said display to display the advertisements received from said remotely located computer while an exerciser uses said exercise device.

3. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit is further configured to control said display to display exercise-related data while the exerciser performs exercise using said exercise device.

4. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said exercise apparatus is configured to establish communication with said remotely located computer in response to an input from an exerciser.

5. An exercise system, comprising:

an exercise apparatus comprising an exercise device, selection circuitry configured to permit the selection of exercise program data, a control circuit configured to control said exercise device based on the selected exercise program data, a display and a communication circuit; and

a remotely located computer configured to transmit advertisements to said exercise apparatus,

wherein said communication circuit is configured to receive the advertisements and said control circuit is further configured to control said display to display the advertisements received from said remotely located computer.

6. The exercise system according to claim 5, wherein said control circuit is configured to control said display to display the advertisements received from said remotely located computer while an exerciser uses said exercise device.

7. The exercise system according to claim 5, wherein said exercise apparatus is configured to establish communication with said computer in response to an input from an exerciser.

8. The exercise system according to claim 5, wherein said control circuit is configured to control said display to display exercise-related data while the exerciser performs exercise using said exercise device.

9. An exercise system, comprising:

a plurality of exercise apparatus each comprising an exercise device, selection circuitry configured to permit the selection of exercise program data, a control circuit configured to control said exercise device based on the selected exercise program data, a display and a communication circuit; and

a remotely located computer configured to transmit advertisements to each said exercise apparatus,

wherein each said exercise apparatus is configured such that the communication circuit receives the advertisements transmitted thereto and the control circuit controls the display to display the advertisements received from said remotely located computer.

10. The exercise system according to claim 9, wherein the control circuit of each said exercise apparatus is configured to control the display to display the advertisements received from said remotely located computer while an exerciser performs exercise using the exercise device thereof.

11. The exercise system according to claim 9, wherein each said exercise apparatus is configured to establish communication with said remotely located computer in response to an input from an exerciser using the exercise apparatus.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein the control circuit of each said exercise apparatus is configured to control said display to display exercise-related data while the exerciser performs exercise using the exercise device thereof.