U.S. patent application number 10/822151 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-07 for network coaching method.
Invention is credited to Gerardi, Michael M., Piccionelli, Gregory A..
Application Number | 20050075903 10/822151 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34396064 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050075903 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Piccionelli, Gregory A. ; et
al. |
April 7, 2005 |
Network coaching method
Abstract
A method of obtaining advice pertaining to a fitness-related
activity includes the steps of accessing a central site via a
network; visiting a physical location associated with a
fitness-related activity; providing information identifying the
location to the central site; and receiving advice via the network
from the central site pertaining to the fitness-related
activity.
Inventors: |
Piccionelli, Gregory A.;
(Westlake Village, CA) ; Gerardi, Michael M.;
(Menifee, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael M. Gerardi Esq.
28876 Woodcrest Lake Drive
Menifee
CA
92584
US
|
Family ID: |
34396064 |
Appl. No.: |
10/822151 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60462370 |
Apr 11, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 20/60 20180101;
G16H 20/30 20180101; G06Q 10/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/002 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of obtaining advice pertaining to a fitness-related
activity, the method comprising the steps of: accessing a central
site via a network; visiting a physical location associated with a
fitness-related activity; providing information identifying the
location to the central site; and receiving advice via the network
from the central site pertaining to the fitness-related
activity.
2. A method of obtaining advice pertaining to consumption of at
least one food or beverage, the method comprising the steps of:
accessing a central site via a network; visiting a physical
location at which at least one food or beverage is served;
providing information identifying the location to the central site;
and receiving advice via the network from the central site
pertaining to consumption of at least one food or beverage served
at the location.
3. A method of obtaining advice pertaining to performance of an
exercise, the method comprising the steps of: accessing a central
site via a network; visiting a physical location at which at least
one exercise apparatus is present; providing information
identifying the location to the central site; providing information
identifying at least one exercise apparatus present at the location
to the central site; and receiving advice via the network from the
central site pertaining to use of the exercise apparatus.
4. A method of obtaining advice pertaining to an activity, the
method comprising the steps of: visiting a physical location
associated with an activity; accessing a central site via a
network; providing information identifying the location to the
central site; and receiving advice via the network from the central
site pertaining to the activity.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the method is a fitness-related
activity.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the advice pertains to performance
of the activity.
7. The method of claim 4 wherein the advice discourages engagement
in the activity.
Description
[0001] This application is based on Provisional U.S. Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/462,370, filed Apr. 11, 2003, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a method of obtaining
advice via a network, such as the Internet, pertaining to a
fitness-related activity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Modern society is increasingly aware of the benefits of a
proper diet and regular exercise. However, although awareness of
these benefits has increased, many people find it difficult to
maintain a proper diet and/or to exercise regularly and correctly.
This can be due to lack of time, lack of knowledge regarding
dieting and nutrition, or lack of motivation to persevere in an
exercise program.
[0004] A need exists for a method of obtaining advice that will
facilitate maintenance of a diet or nutrition plan.
[0005] A need also exists for a method of obtaining advice
pertaining to exercising, more specifically to the proper use of
exercise equipment, and for motivating the use of such
equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method of obtaining advice pertaining to a
fitness-related activity that includes the steps of accessing a
central site via a network; visiting a physical location associated
with a fitness-related activity; providing information identifying
the location to the central site; and receiving advice via the
network from the central site pertaining to the fitness-related
activity.
[0007] In particular embodiments, the inventive method provides a
user with diet or nutritional information, more specifically
pertaining to foods or beverages that are to be consumed at a
restaurant, bar or other physical location serving such items.
Additionally, the inventive method provides the user with
motivation to eat and drink those foods and beverages that are part
of the user's diet or nutrition plan, and to avoid consumption of
foods and beverages outside of the user's plan.
[0008] In other particular embodiments, the inventive method
provides a user with information pertaining to exercise devices
that are located in a health club or other location where exercises
are performed. This information can include instructions on proper
use of the apparatus, including weights, number of repetitions and
the like, as well as motivation to perform exercises using the
selected apparatus.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method of obtaining advice pertaining to an activity includes the
steps of: visiting a physical location associated with an activity;
accessing a central site via a network; providing information
identifying the location to the central site; and receiving advice
via the network from the central site pertaining to the
activity.
[0010] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following detailed description. It is to be understood, however,
that the detailed description and specific examples, while
indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are
given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and
modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made
without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention
includes all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention may be more readily understood by referring to
the accompanying drawings in which
[0012] FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a general method
according to the invention,
[0013] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the
inventive method useful in maintaining a diet or nutrition plan,
and
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the
inventive method useful in performing an exercise plan.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] As used herein, a "fitness-related activity" is an activity
that affects the physical condition of the user, and more
particularly, an activity selected from eating and exercising.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a method according to the present
invention in its most general aspect. Initially, a user accesses a
central site via a network such as the Internet. The central site
can be, for example, a site maintained by an organization with
which the user has a membership, or a publicly accessible site
which can be used without charge or by payment of a fee. In
particular embodiments, the user accesses the central site using a
PDA, cellular telephone or other portable device that enables
Internet access.
[0017] After accessing the central site, the user next visits a
physical location associated with a fitness-related activity, such
as eating, exercising, etc. The user then provides the central site
with location information, for example, GPS coordinates, codes, and
the like. In particular embodiments, the user also provides the
central site with additional information, such as the type of
location and the activity in which the user will engage at the
location.
[0018] Based on the location information which the user has
provided, the central site then provides information and/or advice
pertaining to the fitness-related activity to the user via the
network. The information can be in any form, for example, a
computer-generated text or audio message, or a recorded or live
message from a personal advisor assigned to the user (an
"e-coach"). Alternatively, the central site can arrange for one or
more e-coaches to directly contact the user.
[0019] In FIG. 2, an embodiment of the inventive method useful in
following a diet or nutritional plan is illustrated. A user who
desires to follow a particular diet or nutritional plan accesses
the central site via a PDA or other portable device. In more
specific embodiments, the user provides the central site with
details of the particular diet or nutritional plan he desires to
follow, either prior to or subsequent accessing the central site
via his PDA or other portable device. Next, the user visits a
restaurant, bar or other physical location at which food and/or
drink is served. The user provides location information to the
central site, for example, the GPS coordinates of the restaurant, a
code identifying the restaurant, or the like. The user then
receives advice pertaining to his diet or nutritional plan from the
central site.
[0020] In particular embodiments, the user specifies that the
central site is to provide periodic reminders to the user to follow
his diet or nutritional plan, the reminders to be delivered while
the user is present at the restaurant These reminders can be
pre-recorded text or audio messages, or reminders from one or more
e-coaches via the central site. In other particular embodiments,
the user requests to receive advice from an e-coach via the central
site concerning specific menu items, beverages, etc. For example,
the user can request advice from an e-coach as to whether a
particular item can be consumed within the limits of the user's
diet or nutritional plan, and if so, the quantity that can be
consumed.
[0021] In additional embodiments, when the user patronizes a
restaurant which is included in a database stored in the central
site, the user is provided with information pertaining to item(s)
the user desires to order. Such information can include, for
example, calories, sodium content, carbohydrate content, etc., and
can be provided to the user via a PDA or other device. The user can
also be provided with the option of receiving real-time advice from
a dietitian or other nutritional professional (in particular
embodiments, for a fee). Such advice can include encouragement to
avoid or reduce consumption of specific foods and/or beverages,
including in particular the item(s) ordered or intended to be
ordered by the user.
[0022] To encourage participation by restaurants and other food
and/or beverage serving establishments, and to avoid occurrences of
a user canceling an order after being advised to do so according to
the inventive method and then leaving the establishment without
ordering, particular embodiments provide for an automatic minimum
charge to be assessed to the user upon entry into the
establishment.
[0023] In specific embodiments, the restaurant or other
establishment serving foods and/or beverages is listed in the
database on the central site, as mentioned above. In other specific
embodiments, the establishment is not included in the database, but
has a GPS location. In such embodiments, a user can receive a
message indicating that the establishment is "off-network", or
receive a message from the central site or a dietitian or other
nutrition professional offering to assist the user in adhering to
his dietary plan. Such advice can include, for example, an offer to
assist the user in ordering one or more food and/or beverage
items.
[0024] Other embodiments of the inventive method are useful in
following an exercise plan. In these embodiments, the user accesses
the central site as above. When the user visits a health club,
gymnasium or other physical location where exercises are to be
performed, the user provides the central site with location
information pertaining to the health club or other location. The
user then receives advice via the central site concerning the
performance of his exercise plan.
[0025] E-coaching advice can be provided to the user without
charge, or in particular embodiments, upon payment of a per-use or
periodic fee.
[0026] In FIG. 3, an embodiment of the inventive method useful in
following an exercise plan is illustrated. The user accesses the
central site, then visits a health club. The user next provides the
central site with location or other identifying information
associated with the health club and with a specific exercise
apparatus. The central site then provides the user with advice
pertaining to use of the apparatus. For example, the central site
can provide the user with the number of repetitions to be performed
per set on the selected apparatus, the weight to be used during
each set, the time interval between each set, etc. This advice can
be provided by one or more e-coaches, by means of
computer-generated messages, or the like, as described previously.
Alternatively, a user's PDA can ping each piece of equipment and
receive advice pertaining to the piece of equipment, or GPS
coordinates can be used in order to facilitate provision of advice
to the site so identified.
[0027] According to a variant of the foregoing embodiment, a user
first visits a health club, and then accesses the central site. The
health dub visited by the user is identified by its GPS
coordinates, as are all pieces of equipment on site at the health
club.
[0028] In another alternative embodiment, a piece of equipment is
identified, e.g., by its GPS coordinates, and associated with the
user. Once the piece of equipment has been associated with the
user, a record including information on the user's previous use of
the equipment can be accessed, via, e.g., the user's PDA, an
integral network accessing device, or the like. For example, the
record can inform the user that on his last use of the piece of
equipment, he performed twenty repetitions at 50 lbs. During or
after completion of the user's performance on the piece of
equipment, the record can be updated accordingly. The updating can
be carried out by the user, or can be performed automatically by
the piece of equipment itself.
[0029] Real-time coaching advice from an e-coach observing the user
in real time can also be provided to the user in alternative
embodiments of the inventive method. For example, a piece of
equipment can be provided with a camera, which enables a
professional trainer to observe the user's performance on the piece
of equipment over a network, such as the Internet. Such real-time
e-coaching can be provided as a service by the health club for
which an additional fee is charged per use (for example, at a rate
of $1.00/min). Alternatively, the service can be billed to the user
periodically (e.g., added to monthly dues) with unlimited or
limited access by the user during the billing period. Known
security methods can be applied to ensure proper use and billing.
For example, per-use charges can be billed to the user's credit
card using known security procedures.
[0030] In particular embodiments, the central site retains a record
of the users performance on one or more specified exercise devices.
This record can be made available to the user so that the user can
monitor his progress.
[0031] In more particular embodiments, the user specifies a
plurality of different exercise apparatus, and is provided with
advice pertaining to the use of each selected apparatus. In still
other particular embodiments, the user receives advice concerning
the selection of one or more exercise apparatus, and in embodiments
selecting a plurality of apparatus, additional advice concerning
the sequence of use of each selected apparatus.
[0032] Related alternative embodiments are beneficially implemented
in the context of any activity which subjects the user to
"temptation", for example, casino gambling, patronization of
massage parlors, etc. Thus, a user can, in particular embodiments,
enter a casino or massage parlor and receive a real-time message,
either from an advisor such as a psychiatrist, religious advisor or
other professional, or alternatively a recorded message from such
professionals or others (e.g., the user's spouse or parent) urging
the user to desist from the activity.
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