Interactive programmable fitness interface system

• US 6,645,124 B1
• Filed: 11/24/1999
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Cone
• Original Assignee: Athlon, LLC
• Inventors: Clem, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/448,954
• Time in Patent Office: 1,448 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1-9, 482/51, 482/54, 482/900-902, 600/520, 379/106.01, 379/106.02
• US Class Current: 482/4
• 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

An exercise system including an exercise device at a user location includes a controller at the user location for controlling the exercise device. A control location remote from the user location and a communication system for transmitting information between the exercise device and the control location are provided. A sensor at the user location determines user location information and applies the user location information to the communication system for transmission to the control location. Control information is applied to the communication system by the control location in response to the user location information for transmission to the controller to control the exercise device according to the control information. Thus, the present invention is an interactive fitness system for permitting a user of a programmable exercise device to interact with a fitness server device while the user is in a location remote from the fitness server device. For example, the user can interact with the fitness server device from the home of the user. Using the system of the present invention the user can download new fitness equipment programs for controlling the exercise equipment. The user can also interact with fitness experts on-line and provide exercise information and receive control information wherein the received control information can permit interaction between the fitness server device and the user.

Claims

1. A personalized training system, comprising:

a user at a user location, wherein said user enters a first plurality of user information at the user location;

an automated control location that is remotely connected to the user location through a communicative connection, which automated control station receives the first plurality of user information;

a fitness device at the user location, which said fitness device is remotely connected to said automated control location through the communicative connection, which said fitness device monitors a second plurality of user information during exercise on said fitness device and sends the second plurality of user information to said automated control location; and

a fitness comparator that includes a health database, wherein said fitness comparator is resident at the automated control location, and wherein said fitness comparator compares the first plurality of user information, the second plurality of user information, and the health database, and thereby formulates an adjustment to said fitness device, wherein the adjustment is sent to said fitness device through the communicative connection, and wherein the health database comprises non-user specific health information obtained by searching the internet.

2. The personalized training system of claim 1, wherein said automated control location is a web site.

3. The personalized training system of claim 1, wherein the health database includes at least one piece of information selected from the group consisting of dietary needs, exercise routines, and diet and exercise results.

4. The personalized training system of claim 1, wherein the web search is an automated function of said automated control location.

5. The personalized training system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of user information is a goal set.

6. The personalized training system of claim 5, wherein the goal set comprises losing a user specified weight amount.

7. The personalized training system of claim 5, wherein the goal set comprises increasing musculature in a user specified bodily region.

8. The personalized training system of claim 5, wherein the goal set comprises increasing stamina to a user specified level.

9. The personalized training system of claim 5, wherein the adjustment is a function of achievement of the goal set.

10. The personalized training system of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of user information is at least one piece of information selected from the group consisting of heart rate, metabollic rate, and stress rate.

11. A method of fitness training, comprising:

entering a first plurality of user information at a user location;

communicatively connecting an automated control location to the user location;

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

communicatively connecting a fitness device at the user location to the automated control location;

monitoring a second plurality of user information during exercise on the fitness device;

sending the second plurality of user information to the automated control location;

comparing, at the automated control location, the first plurality of user information, the second plurality of user information, and a health database;

forming the health database by searching the internet for non-user health specific information;

automatically formulating at least one adjustment to the fitness device based on said comparing;

sending the adjustment to the fitness device from the automated control location through the communicative connection; and

adjusting the fitness device according to the adjustment received at the fitness device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising forming the health database by selecting at least one piece of information from the group consisting of dietary needs, exercise routines, and diet and exercise results.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said forming is automatically performed by the automated control location.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said entering comprises the user selecting a physiological goal.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said comparing comprises correlating by the automated control location between the goal selected and exercise necessary to achieve the goal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said correlating is based on the second plurality of user information during said correlating.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing feedback generated by the automated control location to the user on progress toward the goals.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said providing feedback occurs during an exercise session.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said providing feedback occurs after an exercise session.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising suggesting to the user, using the automated control location, alternative dietary or exercise routines which would help the user reach the goals.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein said comparing, said formulating, said sending, and said adjusting comprise automatically creating a unique fitness regimen specifically for the user.

22. The method of claim 11, further comprising permanently recording the first plurality, the second plurality, and the adjustment generated by said comparing.