Workout processing system

• US 8,128,532 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2003
• Issued: 03/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Chen, Yen-Fu, Sun, Nancy T.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US10/617,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20050010426A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,162 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0724 Bar-bells; Hand bars
• 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 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/10 Multi-station exercising machines
• 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 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0697 Reservation devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events

Abstract

There is provided a physical fitness workout processing methodology and system for enabling remote scheduling and set-up of workout sessions for individual gym members or groups. In an exemplary embodiment, an individual or member is enabled to schedule a workout session in advance by using a wireless device or a personal computer from a location remote from the gymnasium where the workout session is to occur. The individual or user is enabled to schedule the use of various kinds of workout stations and equipment to insure that the proper equipment is available for use by the individual at the time during a workout session when it is needed. When the member enters the gym, his or her presence is detected and the member is tracked throughout the workout session. Messages are displayed on display devices by workout stations to announce that the equipment has been reserved for the member at the appropriate time. In one implementation, the member carries a membership card which transmits signals used to determine the member identification and location within the gym. When the member enters a workout station area, the member'"'"'s individual settings for the exercise equipment at the workout station are automatically set and the workout data are automatically measured and entered into the member'"'"'s physical fitness database which is maintained in storage at the gym server.

Claims

1. A method for operating a workout facility having a plurality of workout stations arranged for use by a user, said method comprising:

a processor detecting when said user enters said workout facility by detecting a user identification (ID) signal transmitted from a device carried by said user;

a processor determining when said user is in proximity to a first workout station;

a processor measuring workout data generated by said user at said first workout station;

a processor determining when said user has finished using said first workout station; and

a processor saving said workout data to a workout data file associated with said user when said user has finished using said first workout station.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said workout data file is maintained at a server within said workout facility.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said determining when said user is in proximity to a first workout station is accomplished by receiving a user ID signal transmitted from said device carried by said user.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said determining when said user is in proximity to a first workout station is accomplished by reading a bar code readable by an optical reading device.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said determining when said user is in proximity to a first workout station is accomplished by reading a magnetic code on a medium readable by a magnetic code reading device.

6. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein said determining when said user has finished using said first workout station is accomplished by detecting an absence at said first workout station of a user ID signal from said device carried by said user.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including a processor displaying said workout data on a display device located at said first workout station.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including:

a processor displaying said workout data file of said user on a display device located at said first workout station.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said workout data file further includes a workout routine for said user, said workout routine including specific workout protocols for said user at each of said plurality of workout stations.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9 and further including a processor displaying said specific workout protocols for said user on display devices at workout stations being used by said user.

11. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including a processor saving workout data from one or more of said workout stations to said workout data file.

12. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including a processor enabling reservation of selected workout stations by said user.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12 and further including a processor displaying notice of said reservation of a reserved workout station at a display device located at said reserved workout station.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13 and further including a processor disabling said reserved workout station, said reserved workout station being selectively enabled by said receiving of an ID signal associated with said user at said reserved workout station.

15. A computer-readable storage device having program instructions stored therein, said program instructions being executable by at least one processor to implement a method for operating a workout facility having a plurality of workout stations arranged for use by a user, said method comprising:

a processor detecting when said user enters said workout facility by detecting a user identification (ID) signal transmitted from a device carried by said user;

a processor determining when said user is in proximity to a first workout station;

a processor measuring workout data generated by said user at said first workout station;

a processor determining when said user has finished using said first workout station; and

a processor saving said workout data to a workout data file associated with said user when said user has finished using said first workout station.

16. A method for operating a workout facility having a plurality of workout stations arranged for use by individual users, said method comprising:

a processor receiving a request from a user to schedule a workout session using one or more of said workout stations at said workout facility;

a processor enabling user access to a facility workout schedule for one or more of said workout stations within said workout facility;

a processor receiving scheduling input from said user, said scheduling input defining a user workout schedule for said user at said workout facility;

a processor storing said user workout schedule at a server used by said workout facility;

a processor reserving workout stations scheduled by said user to enable only said user to use said reserved workout stations at times designated in said user workout schedule;

a processor detecting when said user enters said workout facility by detecting a user identification (ID) signal transmitted from a device carried by said user;

a processor storing information indicating a presence of said user at said workout facility in response to said detecting;

a processor determining when said user is in proximity to a first workout station scheduled for use by said user;

a processor displaying said user workout schedule on a display device viewable by said user from said first workout station in response to said determining;

a processor collecting workout data of said user while said user is working at said first workout station;

a processor determining when said user departs from said first workout station;

a processor updating said user workout schedule by recording said workout data of said user collected at said first workout station after said user has departed from said first workout station;

a processor terminating said displaying after said determining that said user has departed from said first workout station; and

a processor enabling other users to use said first workout station after said user has departed from said first workout station.

17. The method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said scheduling input is received from a user wireless device, said user wireless device being located remotely from said workout server.