Methods and systems for controlling an exercise apparatus using a USB compatible portable remote device
View Patent ↗A portable system retrieves one or more exercise programs from a remote communication system that provides motivational content for a user exercising upon an exercise mechanism. The exercise program further includes at least one control signal that controls one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism. The portable system includes a control device configured to retrieve the exercise program and deliver the motivational content to the user by way of an audio delivery device, while delivering the control signals to the exercise mechanism. A sensor communicates with the control device and tracks one or more measurable parameters of the user during the user's performance of the exercise program. Data representative of the one or more measurable parameters can be delivered to the control device for delivery to the remote communication system.
1. An exercise system configured to enable a user to perform an exercises program, the exercise system comprising:
(a) an exercise mechanism comprising a movable element for movement in performance of exercise by the user, the exercise mechanism having one or more operating parameters that control the moveable element;
(b) a communication system remote from the exercise mechanism, the communication system being capable of storing an exercise program, the program comprising at least one of (i) at least one control signal and (ii) data representative of motivational content; and
(c) a USB-enabled portable system separate from the exercise mechanism and the communication system and adapted for communication with the exercise mechanism and the communication system, the portable system being capable of retrieving the exercise program from the communication system, delivering the exercise program to the user of the exercise mechanism, and tracking at least one measurable parameter of the user as the user performs the exercise program, wherein the USB-enabled portable system comprises a control device, an audio delivery device in communication with the control device and a sensing device in communication with the control device.
2. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the USB-enabled portable system is disconnected from the communication system as the USB-enabled portable system delivers the exercise program to the user of the exercise mechanism and tracks the at least one measurable parameter of the user.
3. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the USB-enabled portable system is a Firewire-enabled portable system.
4. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the control device is configured to deliver the at least one control signal to the exercise mechanism, the at least one control signal controlling the one or more operating parameters that control the moveable element.
5. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the control device is at least one of USB-enabled MP3 player, a USB-enabled flash memory drive, a Firewire-enabled MP3 player, and a Firewire-enabled flash memory drive.
6. A system a recited in claim 1 , wherein the control device is a cordless telephone.
7. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the USB-enabled portable system comprises an audio delivery device, the audio delivery device comprising at least one speaker.
8. A system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the USB-enabled portable system automatically changes the one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism in synchronization with the motivational content.
9. An exercise system configured to enable a user to perform an exercise program, the exercise system comprising:
an exercise mechanism comprising a movable element for movement in performance of exercise by the user, the exercise mechanism having one or more operating parameters that control the moveable element;
a communication system remote from the exercise mechanism, the communication system being capable of storing an exercise program, the program comprising at least one of (i) at least one control signal and (ii) data representative of motivational content; and
a USB-enabled portable system separate from the exercise mechanism and the communication system and adapted for communication with the exercise mechanism and the communication system, the portable system being capable of retrieving the exercise program from the communication system, delivering the exercise program to the user of the exercise mechanism, and tracking at least one measurable parameter of the user as the user performs the exercise program, wherein the USB-enabled portable system comprises:
(a) one or more storage devices adapted to store one or more audio signals forming the motivational content; and
(b) a control processor configured to deliver the one or more audio signals to the audio delivery device.
10. A system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the USB-enabled portable system communicates with the communication system via a network.
11. A system as recited in claim 10 , wherein the network comprises a network selected from the group consisting of a wide area network, a local area network, a home network, a packetized network, the Internet, telephone line, television signals network, radio network.
12. A system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the USB-enabled portable system communicates with the exercise mechanism via a transmission media selected from the group consisting of the electrical signal transmission, airwaves, radio frequency, wireless, or infrared.
13. A system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the USB-enabled portable system is capable of receiving data representative of at least one measurable parameter of at least one of the user and the exercise mechanism.
14. A system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the USB-enabled portable system comprises memory configured to store at least one of the exercise program and the at least one measurable parameter.
15. A system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the communication system evaluates the data representative of at least one measurable parameter and generates another exercise program specific to the user of the exercise mechanism based upon data representative of the at least one measurable parameter.
16. A system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the exercise mechanism communicates with at least one translator device and a computer.
17. A system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the user manually changes the one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism.
18. A system as recited in claim 9 , wherein the communication system comprises a web site.
19. A portable system configured to facilitate a user's performance of an exercise program upon an exercise mechanism, the portable system comprising:
(a) a USB-enabled control device configured to communicate with a remote communication system, the control device configured to receive an exercise program from the remote communication system;
(b) a USB-enabled delivery device communicating with the control device, the delivery device presenting an audio representation of the exercise program to the user; and
(c) a sensor communicating with the user of the exercise mechanism, the sensor configured to track at least one measurable parameter of the user and to deliver data representative of the at least one measurable parameter to the control device for delivery to remote communication system.
20. A system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the control device and delivery device are Firewire-enabled.
21. A system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the sensor is in contact with the user's skin.
22. A system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the sensor is configured to track at least one of the distance traveled by the user during the exercise program and speed of the user during exercise program.
23. A system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the sensor is a pedometer, an accelerometer, or a pulse sensor.
24. A system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the USB-enabled control device communicates with the communication system by way of a computer and a network.
25. A system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the USB-enabled control device directly communicates with the communication system.
26. A system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the exercise program comprises data representative of motivational content and at least one control signal.
27. A system as recited in claim 26 , wherein the exercise mechanism comprises at least one operating parameter, the at least one control signal being capable of controlling the at least one operating parameter of the exercise mechanism.
28. A system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the sensor is configured to track at least one measurable parameter of the exercise mechanism.
29. A system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the USB-enabled delivery device comprises a headset, the headset comprising at least one speaker.
30. A system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the USB-enabled control device communicates with the sensor via a transmission media selected from the group consisting of electrical signal transmission, airwaves, radio frequency, wireless, or infrared.
31. A system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the USB-enabled control device communicates with the USB-enabled delivery device via a transmission media selected from the group consisting of electrical signal transmission, airwaves, radio frequency, wireless, or infrared.
32. A system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the USB-enabled control device comprises the sensor.
33. A portable system configured to facilitate a user's performance of an exercise program upon an exercise mechanism, the portable system comprising:
(a) a USB-enabled control device in communication with a remote communication system, the control device comprising a removable USB-enabled memory configured to store an exercise program receivable from the remote communication system, the exercise program comprising data representative of motivational content and at least one control signal;
(b) an audio delivery device communicating with the USB-enabled control device, the audio delivery device comprising at least one speaker capable of delivering the motivational content to the user; and
(c) at least one sensor coupled to the user of the exercise mechanism, the at least one sensor capable of tracking at least one measurable parameter of the user as the user performs the exercise program and delivering data representative of the at least one measurable parameter to the USB-enabled control device for delivery to remote communication system.
34. A device as recited in claim 33 , wherein the removable USB-enabled memory comprises a flash memory module coupled to a USB interface.
35. A device as recited in claim 33 , wherein the removable USB-enabled memory is a USB-enabled flash drive.
36. A device as recited in claim 33 , wherein the control device, the removable memory, and the audio delivery device are at least one of USB-enabled and Fire-wire enabled.
37. A device as recited in claim 33 , wherein the motivational content comprises an audio signal.
38. A device as recited in claim 33 , wherein the at least one control signal is synchronized with the motivational content.
39. A device as recited in claim 38 , wherein the removable USB-enabled memory delivers the at least one control signal to the exercise mechanism through a corresponding USB interface at the exercise mechanism, the at least one control signal controlling at least one operating parameters of the exercise mechanism.
40. A device as recited in claim 39 , wherein the exercise mechanism comprises a movable element for movement in performance of exercise by the user, the exercise mechanism having one or more operating parameters that control the moveable element.
41. A device as recited in claim 40 , wherein the user manually changes the one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism.
42. A device as recited in claim 40 , wherein the removable USB-enabled memory comprises instructions stored thereon that, when read by the exercise mechanism through a corresponding USB interface, automatically changes the one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism in synchronization with the motivational content.
43. A device as recited in claim 33 , wherein the USB-enabled control device is an MP3 player.
44. A device as recited in claim 33 , wherein the USB-enabled control device comprises non-removable memory.
45. A device as recited in claim 33 , wherein the communication system evaluates the data representative of the at least one measurable parameter and generates a second exercise program specific to the user of the exercise mechanism based upon data representative of the at least one measurable parameter.