Exercise device control and billing system

• US 6,656,091 B1
• Filed: 04/21/2000
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Casler
• Original Assignee: John Casler
• Inventors: Abelbeck, Kevin G., Casler, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US09/556,762
• Time in Patent Office: 1,320 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1-9, 482/51, 482/54, 482/57, 482/900-902
• US Class Current: 482/9
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0009 Computerised real time comparison with previous movements or motion sequences of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• 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 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• 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 2230/01 User's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/04 heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/70 body fat
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• 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 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0042 for hiring of objects
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/04 for anthropometrical measurements, such as weight, height, strength
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/0235 the arrangements being full-front touchscreens

Abstract

An exercise method is disclosed that includes at least one exercise device with at least one sensor and a method of information transfer between the exercise device and a user. This information transfer is likely accomplished by use of a computer monitor and some sort of input device such as a keypad. This can be combined by use of a touch screen monitor. The user is identified to the machine and a specific exercise protocol is generated and used to control the exercise session(s) on each machine being used. Sensory data is generated from each sensor on each exercise device, during each exercise session and used to generate a new protocol for the user'"'"'s next exercise session. This new protocol is based on the user'"'"'s performance on the previous exercise session. The information may also be compiled in a user-friendly format that the user can access via the internet or other multi-accessible information transfer system. This compiled data is a great motivational tool in promoting long-term physical fitness. In addition, a pay-per-use billing method is also disclosed to enable cost effective use of the disclosed.

Claims

1. An exercise method including the steps of:

(A) providing an exercise device and at least one sensor, said exercise device being adapted to enable information transfer between a user and said exercise device;

(B) identifying said user;

(C) providing an exercise protocol for said user;

(D) controlling said exercise device in accordance with said exercise protocol;

(E) generating data from said at least one sensor;

(F) generating a new protocol in view of said data generated from at least one sensor;

(G) replacing said exercise protocol with said new protocol and;

(H) billing said user for use of said exercise device.

2. The method as described in claim 1, wherein step (F) further comprises utilizing a protocol algorithm to generate said new protocol.

3. The method as described in claim 1, wherein said data from said at least one sensor includes the user'"'"'s performance data from the exercise session.

4. The method as described in claim 3, wherein said user'"'"'s performance data includes data selected from the group consisting of range of motion, workload, exercise duration and speed a portion of the exercise device.

5. The method as described in claim 1, wherein said data from said at least one sensor includes the user'"'"'s physical data.

6. The method as described in claim 5, wherein said user'"'"'s physical data includes data selected from the group consisting of heart rate, blood pressure, bodyweight and body fat.

7. The method as described in claim 1, wherein said step of billing said user includes more than one partial billing sequence.

8. The method as described in claim 1, further comprising initiating a first billing sequence after the step (B) and a second billing sequence after step (D).

9. The method as described in claim 1, wherein step (C) is further comprised

(1) verification of a valid user exercise protocol; and

(2) generating a valid user protocol if necessary.

10. The method as described in claim 9, wherein step (2) further comprises the steps of:

(a) identifying said user'"'"'s sex;

(b) identifying said user'"'"'s age;

(c) identifying said user'"'"'s weight;

(d) identifying said user'"'"'s height;

(e) identifying a number of times per week said user exercises; and

(f) calculating a starting force for said exercise protocol from the data gathered from steps (a) through (e).

11. The method as described in claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

(3) evaluating exercise protocol age; and

(4) modifying exercise protocol if said protocol is older than predetermined value.

12. The method as described in claim 11, wherein said predetermined value is seven days.

13. The method as described in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(H) providing a multi-accessible information transfer system in communication with said exercise device;

(I) retrieving said data from said at least one sensor;

(J) compiling said data in a user-friendly format, thereby creating user data;

(K) uploading said user data to said multi-accessible information transfer system; and

(L) providing access by said user to said user data.

14. The method as described in claim 13, further comprising periodically updating said user data and maintaining current user data.

15. The method as described in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

(H) enabling a technician to modify said exercise protocol.

16. An exercise method including the steps of:

(A) providing a plurality of exercise devices and at least one sensor, said exercise devices being adapted to enable information transfer between a user and said exercise devices;

(B) identifying said user;

(C) providing an exercise protocol for said user;

(D) controlling each of said exercise devices in accordance with said exercise protocol;

(E) generating data from said at least one sensor of each of said exercise devices used;

(F) compiling said data from at least one sensor from each of said exercise devices used;

(G) generating a new protocol in view of said data compiled from said at least one sensor from each of said exercise devices used;

(I) replacing said exercise protocol with said new protocol; and

(J) billing said user for use of said exercise devices.

17. The method as described in claim 16, wherein step (G) further comprises utilizing a protocol algorithm to generate said new protocol.

18. The method as described in claim 16, wherein said data from said at least one sensor includes the user'"'"'s performance data from the exercise session.

19. The method as described in claim 18, wherein said user'"'"'s performance data includes data selected from the group consisting of range of motion, workload, exercise duration and speed a portion of the exercise device.

20. The method as described in claim 16, wherein said data from said at least one sensor includes the user'"'"'s physical data.

21. The method as described in claim 20, wherein said user'"'"'s physical data includes data selected from the group consisting of heart rate, blood pressure, bodyweight and body fat.

22. The method as described in claim 16, wherein said step of billing said user includes more than one partial billing sequence.

23. The method as described in claim 16, further comprising initiating a first billing sequence after the step (B) and a second billing sequence after step (D).

24. The method as described in claim 16, wherein step (C) is further comprised of:

(1) verification of a valid user exercise protocol; and

(2) generating a valid user protocol if necessary.

25. The method as described in claim 24, wherein step (2) further comprises the steps of:

(a) identifying said user'"'"'s sex;

(b) identifying said user'"'"'s age;

(c) identifying said user'"'"'s weight;

(d) identifying said user'"'"'s height;

(e) identifying a number of times per week said user exercises; and

(f) calculating a starting force for said exercise protocol from the data gathered from steps (a) through (e).

26. The method as described in claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

(3) evaluating exercise protocol age; and

(4) modifying exercise protocol if said protocol is older than predetermined value.

27. The method as described in claim 26, wherein said predetermined value is seven days.

28. The method as described in claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

(I) providing a multi-accessible information transfer system in communication with said exercise devices;

(J) retrieving said data from said at least one sensor on each of said exercise devices;

(K) compiling said data in a user-friendly format, thereby creating user data;

(L) uploading said user data to said multi-accessible information transfer system; and

(M) providing access by said user to said user data.

29. The method as described in claim 28, further comprising periodically updating said user data and maintaining current user data.

30. The method as described in claim 16, further comprising the step of:

(H) enabling a technician to modify said exercise protocol.