Systems for interaction with exercise device
View Patent ↗An exercise device is configured to enable a user to interact with a trainer in real-time communication. The exercise device includes an exercise mechanism having a movable element for movement in performance of exercise by a user. Communicating with the exercise mechanism is an interface adapted for gathering a first real-time signal from the user. The interface communicates with a communication system for receiving a packetized second real-time signal including a synchronized control signal from the trainer. The exercise device includes an output device configured to reproduce the second real-time signal. The control signals carried by the second signal are used to control the operating parameters of the exercise mechanism in real-time.
1. A method of controlling one or more operating parameters of an exercise device, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an exercise device having a processor and an exercise mechanism with adjustable operating parameters;
connecting the exercise device to a distantly located communication system through the Internet;
receiving data over the Internet at the exercise device from the distantly located communication system; and
processing the data received over the Internet with the processor to produce from the data a video signal that is delivered to a display and to adjust, based on the data, at least one of the operating parameters in synchronization with the video signal.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data received over the Internet is further processed to produce from the data an audio signal that is delivered to a speaker.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the data received over the Internet is processed with the processor to adjust at least one of the operating parameters in synchronization with both the audio signal and the video signal.
4. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising sending data over the Internet from the exercise device to the distantly located communication system.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the data received at the exercise device over the Internet is received in response to the data sent over the Internet from the exercise device to the distantly located communication system.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the data sent over the Internet from the exercise device to the distantly located communication system is gathered, at least in part, by a health monitoring device.
7. A method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the data sent over the Internet is streamed from the exercise device to the distantly located communication system.
8. A method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the data sent over the Internet from the exercise device to the distantly located communication system includes login information.
9. A method as recited in claim 8 , further comprising the step of obtaining access to the communication system upon receipt and acceptance of login information at the communication system.
10. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the data received over the Internet is streamed from the distantly located communication system to the exercise device and the processing of the data is performed in real-time as the data is received over the Internet.
11. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the exercise device has one or more sensors and wherein the method further comprises using the sensors to determine whether an individual is actually exercising on the exercise device.
12. A method as recited in claim 11 , further comprising the step of automatically disconnecting the exercise device from the communication system when the one or more sensors determine that an individual is not exercising on the exercise device.
13. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication system is a website and further comprising the step of purchasing an exercise related product from the website.
14. A method as recited in claim 13 , wherein the exercise related product purchased is selected from the group consisting of exercise equipment, instructional materials, and nutritional supplements.
15. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the step of interacting with a user of another exercise device also connected to the communication system.
16. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the step of competing with a user of another exercise device also connected to the communication system.
17. A method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the exercise device has one or more sensors and wherein the method further comprises using the sensors to determine whether an individual is actually exercising on the exercise device and wherein data regarding whether an individual is actually exercising on the exercise device is sent over the Internet from the exercise device to the distantly located communication system.
18. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the step of interacting via the communication system with a user of another exercise device also connected to the communication system.
19. A method as recited in claim 18 , wherein the interaction with the user of another exercise device comprises a competition.
20. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the display is integrally formed with the exercise device.
21. A method as recited in claim 20 , wherein the video signal that is delivered to the display includes entertainment, wherein an exercise profile graphically representing one or more of the operating parameters of the exercise device is also delivered to the display, and wherein the entertainment and exercise profile are displayed on the display using split screen or layered images.
22. A method of providing exercise related data over the Internet to an exercise device, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving data, including login information, over the Internet at a communication system from a distantly located exercise device, the exercise device having a processor and an exercise mechanism with adjustable operating parameters; and
in response to the login information received from the exercise device, sending data over the Internet to the exercise device, the data being configured such that the processor at the exercise device produces from the data a video signal, and adjusts, based on the data, at least one of the operating parameters in synchronization with the video signal.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the data sent over the Internet is further configured such the processor at the exercise device produces from the data an audio signal.
24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the data sent over the Internet is processed with the processor to adjust at least one of the operating parameters in synchronization with both the audio signal and the video signal.
25. A method as recited in claim 22 , wherein the login information is associated with a type of exercise device and further comprising the step of communicating with the exercise device to verify that the exercise device associated with the login information is same as the exercise device from which the login information is sent.
26. A method as recited in claim 22 , further comprising the step of providing the exercise device with access to the communication system upon receipt and acceptance of login information at the communication system.
27. A method as recited in claim 22 , wherein the data sent over the Internet from the communication system to the exercise device is streamed so that the processing of the data can be performed in real-time as the data is received by the exercise device over the Internet.
28. A method of controlling one or more operating parameters of a reorienting treadmill, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a treadmill having a processor, an exercise mechanism with adjustable operating parameters, a generally upright support structure, and a tread base, wherein the tread base is rotatable relative to the support structure so that the tread base can be rotated into a generally vertical position;
connecting the treadmill to a website through the Internet;
receiving data over the Internet at the treadmill from the website; and
processing the data received over the Internet with the processor to produce from the data a video signal that is delivered to a display and to adjust, based on the data, at least one of the operating parameters in synchronization with the video signal.
29. A method of providing exercise related data over the Internet to an exercise device, the method comprising the steps of:
having a first person use a first exercise device having a processor and an exercise mechanism with adjustable operating parameters, the person controlling the exercise device by adjusting the parameters;
sensing the operating parameters selected by the person using the first exercise device;
generating first data that encodes the sensed operating parameters;
receiving second data over the Internet from a distantly located second exercise device, the second exercise device having a processor and an exercise mechanism with adjustable operating parameters; and
after receiving the second data, sending the first data over the Internet to the second exercise device, the first data being configured so as to allow the processor at the second exercise device to adjust, based on the first data, at least one operating parameter of the second exercise device, wherein the first data causes the second exercise device to duplicate the adjustments made to the operating parameters of the first exercise device.