Interactive programmable fitness interface system

• US 6,503,173 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2001
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Cone
• Original Assignee: Conetex, Inc.
• Inventors: Clem, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US10/006,110
• Publication Number:
  US 20020039952A1
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1-9, 482/57, 482/51, 482/900-902, 600/520, 434/118, 379/106.01, 379/106.02
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• 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 22/0242 with speed variation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• 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: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry

Abstract

A personalized training system, and a method of fitness training, are disclosed. The personalized training system includes a fitness device, into which a user enters a first plurality of user information, including a choice of an automated interactive learned program mode or an automated fitness test mode, an automated control location that receives the first plurality of user information, and a second plurality of user information during each use of the fitness device by the user, a performance assessor that assesses a performance of the user during each use of a plurality of uses based on a comparison of the second plurality of user information to the first plurality, a performance database incrementally formed by at least the plurality of performance assessments, and a fitness comparator that adjusts the use based on a comparison of the performance database to the second plurality. The method includes entering by a user a first plurality of user information, including a choosing of an automated interactive learned program mode or an automated fitness test mode, providing an automated control location, receiving the first plurality of user information at the automated control location, monitoring a second plurality of user information during each use of the fitness device by the user, performing an assessment of a performance of said user during each use of a plurality of uses, based on a comparing of the second plurality of user information to the first plurality, incrementally generating, over the plurality of uses, a performance database, and adjusting the use based on a comparing of the performance database to the second plurality.

Claims

1. A method of fitness training, comprising:

entering by a user at a fitness device, prior to a use of the fitness device by the user, a first plurality of user information, which first plurality includes a choice between an automated interactive learned program mode and an automated fitness test mode;

providing an automated control location that is remotely connected to the fitness device through a communicative connection;

receiving the first plurality of user information at the automated control location;

monitoring a second plurality of user information during each use of the fitness device by the user;

performing, at the automated control location, an assessment of a performance of said user during each use of a plurality of uses, based on a comparing of the second plurality of user information to the first plurality;

incrementally generating, over the plurality of uses, a performance database including at least the plurality of performance assessments, wherein the performance database is resident at the automated control location; and

adjusting the use based on a comparing of the performance database to the second plurality.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing access by the user to the performance database during each use.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said incrementally generating is over a fixed number of uses.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said performing includes a calculating of an energy expenditure necessary to reach at least one goal entered in the first plurality.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said calculating further includes dividing the necessary energy expenditure by an expected time length of the use, thereby generating a percentage of goal reached.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising formulating a new suggested goal by the automated control location, and downloading the new suggested goal to the fitness device for review by the user, if the percentage of goal reached meets a predetermined low at the automated control location.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising uploading the second plurality to the automated control location from the fitness device in a time frame selected from the group consisting of real-time and after each use.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the user chooses the automated fitness test mode, further comprising:

comparing of the second plurality to an industry standard database; and

recording of the comparison of the second plurality to an industry standard database.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising recording the automated fitness test mode to an automated fitness test database, which automated fitness test database is accessible to the user.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising uploading the automated fitness test database to the automated control location from the fitness device in a time frame selected from the group consiting of real-time and after each use.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting comprises increasing or decreasing a difficulty level of the use.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting comprises varying an environmental factor.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the environmental factor is at least one selected from the group consisting of music and temperature.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a fitness coach that provides interactive information and suggested difficulties of use to the user, wherein the interactive information and the suggested difficulties are based on a comparing by the automated control location of the first plurality, the second plurality, and the performance database.