Method and apparatus for monitoring exercise with wireless internet connectivity
A method and apparatus are provided for wireless monitoring of exercise, fitness, or nutrition by connecting a web-enabled wireless phone to a device which provides exercise-related information, including physiological data and data indicating an amount of exercise performed. The connection may be by way of a wireless connection using protocols such as Bluetooth® or 802.11, or by way of a wired connection. An optional adaptor may be included if necessary. An application for receiving the exercise-related information and providing a user interface may be downloaded to the web-enabled wireless phone from an internet server. The exercise-related information may be transmitted to an internet server, and the server may calculate and return a response.
1. A method for interactive exercise monitoring, the method comprising the steps of:
a. downloading an application to a web-enabled wireless phone directly from a remote server over the internet;
b. coupling the a web-enabled wireless phone to a device which provides exercise-related information;
c. rendering a user interface on the web-enabled wireless phone;
d. using the application, receiving data indicating a physiologic status of a subject;
e. using the application, receiving data indicating an amount of exercise performed by the subject;
f. wherein at least one of the data indicating a physiologic status of a subject or the data indicating an amount of exercise performed by the subject is received from the device which provides exercise-related information, and wherein the data indicating a physiologic status of a subject is received at least partially while the subject is exercising;
g. sending the exercise-related information to an internet server via a wireless network;
h. receiving a calculated response from the server, the response associated with a calculation performed by the server based on the exercise-related information; and
i. using the application, displaying the response.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving data indicating a physiologic status of a subject includes receiving data from a physiological sensor coupled to an exercise machine.
3. The method of claim 1 , where the receiving data indicating an amount of exercise performed by the subject includes receiving data from an exercise machine.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the web-enabled wireless phone receives exercise-related information over a transmission medium, the transmission medium including a wired connection or a wireless connection.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the wireless connection includes an infrared connection or a radio frequency communication protocol including a short-range wireless transmission scheme.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the short-range wireless transmission scheme includes IEEE 802.11 protocol or short-wavelength radio transmission in the ISM band of 2400-2480 MHz.
7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the wired connection includes a USB connection, a cable, or a docking station.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the web-enabled wireless phone receives data via an adapter to convert a signal from the device to a suitable input for the wireless phone.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data indicating an amount of exercise performed is received from a device selected from the group consisting of: a treadmill, a stepper, an exercise cycle, an accelerometer, a rowing machine, physiotherapy equipment, an aerobic or anaerobic exercise device, and a device that monitors an amount of work or rate of work performed.
10. A web-enabled wireless phone, containing a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the computer-readable medium comprising memory within a web-enabled wireless phone, the computer-readable medium comprising instructions for causing a processor in the web-enabled wireless phone to perform the method of claim 1 .
11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, the computer-readable medium comprising memory within a web-enabled wireless phone, the computer-readable medium containing instructions for causing a processor in a web-enabled wireless phone to perform the method of claim 1 .
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data indicating a physiologic status of a subject is received from a device selected from the group consisting of: a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, a body temperature monitor, a respiratory monitor, a biofeedback device, an electronic body weight scale, and a body fat gauge.
13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, containing an application for performing an interactive method of exercise monitoring, the application physically residing on a server, the method comprising the steps of:
a. downloading an application to a web-enabled wireless phone directly from a remote server over the internet;
b. receiving exercise-related information from a web-enabled wireless phone, wherein the exercise-related information includes data collected using the application and indicating a physiologic status of a subject and data indicating an amount of exercise performed by the subject, and wherein the data indicating a physiologic status of a subject is received at least partially while the subject is exercising;
c. calculating a response based on the exercise-related information;
d. transmitting the calculated response to the web-enabled wireless phone for subsequent display, the display using the application.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises:
a. enabling the web-enabled wireless phone to receive exercise-related information from a device; and
b. transmitting to the web-enabled wireless phone the device application including a user interface on which the calculated response may be rendered.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the calculating a response includes calculating a response to assist a person in monitoring calorie expenditure, losing weight, or maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the instructions further cause the web-enabled wireless phone to receive the exercise-related information via an adapter, the adapter to convert a received data signal to a suitable input for the web-enabled wireless phone.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the data indicating an amount of exercise performed by the subject is received from a device which is selected from the group consisting of: a pedometer, a treadmill, a stepper, an exercise cycle, an accelerometer, a rowing machine, physiotherapy equipment, an aerobic or anaerobic exercise device, and a device that monitors an amount of work or rate of work performed.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the receiving exercise-related information includes receiving exercise-related information over a wireless or a wired connection.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the data indicating a physiologic status of a subject is received from a device which is selected from the group consisting of: a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, a body temperature monitor, a respiratory monitor, a biofeedback device, an electronic body weight scale, and a body fat gauge.