Exercise system

• US 6,638,198 B1
• Filed: 11/15/1999
• Issued: 10/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael J Shea
• Original Assignee: Michael J Shea
• Inventors: Shea, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US09/440,097
• Time in Patent Office: 1,443 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/52, 482/53, 482/57, 482/1-9, 482/900, 482/901, 482/902
• 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 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

An exercise system includes a plurality of exercise terminals, wherein a workout of an exerciser includes at least two exercises performed at one or more of the exercise terminals. Each exercise terminal includes a communication device for communicating to the exerciser information regarding an exercise of the workout subsequent to a current exercise in the workout.

Claims

1. An exercise system for guiding exercisers from one exercise terminal to another, the exercise system comprising:

a plurality of exercise terminals each usable for performing a different exercise;

a system computer connected to the exercise terminals via a communication link;

the system computer being configured to determine for an exerciser, based on predetermined exerciser data stored in a memory accessible to the system computer, a next exercise terminal at which the exerciser should exercise after ending exercise at a currently-used exercise terminal; and

to communicate to the currently-used exercise terminal via the communication link data regarding the next exercise terminal; and

the currently-used exercise terminal comprising an output device for outputting to the exerciser data that directs the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal.

2. The exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the currently-used exercise terminal comprises monitoring means for monitoring the exerciser while the exerciser exercises and the system computer determines whether to vary the next exercise terminal from that specified by the predetermined exerciser data based on the monitoring.

3. The exercise system according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring means monitors physiological parameters of the exerciser.

4. The exercise system according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring means monitors the exerciser by detecting whether the exercise at the current exercise terminal is ended prematurely.

5. The exercise system according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring means monitors the exerciser by detecting whether the exerciser changes a difficulty level of the exercise at the current exercise terminal.

6. The exercise system according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring means monitors the exerciser by detecting an input of the exerciser'"'"'s perception of a difficulty of the exercise at the current exercise terminal.

7. An exercise system for guiding exercisers from one exercise terminal to another, the exercise system comprising:

a plurality of exercise terminals each usable for performing a different exercise;

a system computer connected to the exercise terminals via a communication link;

the system computer being configured to evaluate one or more factors during the workout of the exerciser;

to determine for the exerciser, based at least in part on the evaluation of the factors, a next exercise terminal at which the exerciser should exercise after ending exercise at a currently-used exercise terminal; and

to communicate to the currently-used exercise terminal via the communication link data regarding the next exercise terminal; and

the currently used exercise terminal comprising an output device for outputting to the exerciser data that directs the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal.

8. The exercise system according to claim 7, wherein the performance of the exerciser during one or more exercises constitutes one of the one or more factors.

9. The exercise system according to claim 8, wherein the performance of the exerciser is based on a monitoring of physiological parameters of the exerciser.

10. The exercise system according to claim 7, wherein the use/non-use states of the exercise terminals constitutes one of the one or more factors.

11. The exercise system according to claim 7, wherein an indication by the exerciser as to certain physical limitations constitutes one of the one or more factors.

12. The exercise system according to claim 7, wherein a time limitation of the exerciser for completing the workout constitutes one of the one or more factors.

13. The exercise system according to claim 7, wherein the burning of a predetermined number of calories by the exerciser constitutes one of the one or more factors.

14. An exercise system for guiding exercisers from one exercise terminal to another, the exercise system comprising:

a plurality of exercise terminals each usable for performing a different exercise; and

a system computer connected via a communication link to the exercise terminals, the system computer determining a next exercise terminal at which an exerciser should exercise after ending exercise at a currently-used exercise terminal, and communicating to the currently-used exercise terminal data regarding the next exercise terminal, wherein

the currently-used exercise terminal comprises an output device which outputs to the exerciser data that directs the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal.

15. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the currently-used exercise terminal comprises monitoring means for monitoring the exerciser while the exerciser exercises and the system computer determines the next exercise terminal based on the monitoring.

16. The exercise system according to claim 15, wherein the monitoring means monitors physiological parameters of the exerciser.

17. The exercise system according to claim 15, wherein the monitoring means monitors the exerciser by detecting whether the exercise at the currently-used exercise terminal is ended prematurely.

18. The exercise system according to claim 15, wherein the monitoring means monitors the exerciser by detecting whether the exerciser changes a difficulty level of the exercise at the currently-used exercise terminal.

19. The exercise system according to claim 15, wherein the monitoring means monitors the exerciser by detecting an input of the exerciser'"'"'s perception of difficulty of the exercise at the currently-used exercise terminal.

20. The system according to claim 15, wherein, based on the monitoring, the system computer determines parameters of the exercise at the next exercise terminal.

21. The system according to claim 16, wherein the next exercise terminal is a processor-controlled exercise apparatus and the parameters of the exercise include designations of one or more of an exercise program for execution by the processor, an exercise difficulty level and an exercise time.

22. The exercise system according to claim 14, further comprising a computer-readable medium accessible to the system computer for storing predetermined exerciser data for the exerciser, and

wherein the system computer determines the next exercise terminal based on the predetermined exerciser data stored in the memory.

23. The exercise system according to claim 22, wherein the currently-used exercise terminal comprises monitoring means for monitoring the exerciser while the exerciser exercises and the system computer varies the next exercise terminal from that specified by the predetermined exerciser data based on the monitoring.

24. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the system computer further determines if the exerciser'"'"'s workout is over and, if so, communicates to the currently-used exercise terminal end-of-workout data, and

wherein the output device of the currently-used exercise terminal outputs to the exerciser the end-of-workout data.

25. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the communication link comprises a wireless communication link.

26. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the communication link comprises a wired communication link.

27. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the data indicative of the next exercise terminal comprises location data indicative of the physical location of the next exercise terminal.

28. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the data indicative of the next exercise terminal comprises location data indicative of the physical location of the next exercise terminal relative to the physical location of the currently-used exercise terminal.

29. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the data indicative of the next exercise terminal comprises location data for graphically indicating the physical location of the next exercise terminal.

30. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the exercise terminals comprise a stationary bicycle.

31. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the exercise terminals comprise a treadmill.

32. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the exercise terminals comprise a stepper.

33. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the exercise terminals comprise a weight machine.

34. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the exercise terminals are located at a health club facility.

35. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the system computer determines the next exercise terminal based, at least in part, on the use/non-use states of the exercise terminals.

36. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the system computer determines the next exercise terminal based, at least in part, on an indication by the exerciser as to certain physical limitations.

37. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the system computer determines the next exercise terminal based, at least in part, on an exerciser time limitation for completing a workout.

38. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the system computer determines the next exercise terminal based, at least in part, on the burning by the exerciser of a predetermined number of calories.

39. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the output device comprises a display device.

40. The exercise system according to claim 14, wherein the output device comprises a speaker.

41. An exercise system for guiding exercisers from one exercise terminal to another, the exercise system comprising:

a plurality of exercise terminals each usable for performing a different exercise; and

a processing system which determines a next exercise terminal at which an exerciser should exercise after ending exercise at a currently-used exercise terminal,

wherein the currently-used exercise terminal comprises an output device which outputs to the exerciser data indicative of the next exercise terminal in order to direct the exerciser to exercise at the next exercise terminal, and

wherein the next exercise terminal determined for a first exerciser using the currently-used exercise terminal is different than the next exercise terminal determined for a subsequent, second exerciser using the same exercise terminal.