Method And Apparatus For Selecting A Condition Of A Fitness Machine In Relation To A User

Abstract

An exercise machine has an adjustable response from a selection panel for operation by a user or transmitter for carrying by the user, the selection panel or transmitter for transmitting user-related data; a receiver for receiving the user-related data; and a device operatively connected to the exercise machine for setting the adjustable response of the exercise machine in response to the received user-related data.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/872,960, filed Dec. 5, 2006, and incorporates the same by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to a condition-selectable fitness machine, which as used herein includes all types of fitness or exercise or like machines having at least one selectable condition of use and, more particularly, relates to a method and apparatus for selecting at least one such condition in relation to a user.

[0003] Condition selectable fitness machines, e.g., treadmill and/or weight lifting fitness machines, have required that the users manually select the conditions, e.g., time, repetitions, speed and/or weight, that the machines will provide the users. Such machines are described in the following 156 U.S. patent Publications and first 100 of 234 U.S. patents that are incorporated herein by reference to describe the methods and apparatuses thereof, such incorporation being based on their designation by the Patent Office web site as claiming fitness or exercise machine control.

TABLE-US-00001 PUB. APP. NO. Title 1 20070270294 Abdominator: abdomen and obliques exercise machine 2 20070270287 Tug-O-War Exercise Machine 3 20070265891 Electronic passenger management method and system in railroad passenger cars/long-distance buses 4 20070265139 Non-strenuous under furniture exercise device 5 20070259759 VIBRATIONARY EXERCISE EQUIPMENT 6 20070249468 System for monitoring exercise performance 7 20070233506 Privately Managed Entertainment and Recreation Supplies Provisioning Method 8 20070232467 Reciprocable load resisting device 9 20070225136 Gymnastic machine 10 20070219457 Wireless Ear-Clips Heart Rate Monitor 11 20070208392 System for functional electrical stimulation 12 20070202995 Gymnastic machine 13 20070202994 Gymnastic machine 14 20070197345 Motivational displays and methods for exercise machine 15 20070187485 CASH HANDLING 16 20070181121 System, method and apparatus for applying air pressure on a portion of the body of an individual 17 20070180414. Facilitating structural coverage of a design during design verification 18 20070168941 Subclass partitioning in a pattern recognition classifier system 19 20070168156 Factor estimating device, method and program recording medium therefor 20 20070142175 AUTOMATED MECHANISM. FOR COLLAPSING EXERCISE EQUIPMENT 21 20070099764 Recumbent elliptical exercise apparatus 22 20070087905 Compact Elliptical Exercise Machine with Adjustable Stride Length 23 20070083288 Minibar 24 20070072528 RETENTION DEVICE WITH CRANK TRANSMISSION 25 20070054788 Control system and method for exercise machine 26 20070037676 Horizontal hamstring stretcher 27 20070027001 Gymnastic machine 28 20070023041 Leisure Fitness Equipment With Oxygen-Supplying Function 29 20070021274 COMPACT ELLIPTICAL EXERCISE MACHINE WITH ADJUSTABLE STRIDE LENGTH 30 20070015632 ELLIPTICAL EXERCISE APPARATUS WITH ARTICULATING TRACK 31 20070008111 System monitoring activities and location 32 20070003037 Method and system for automatic generation and testing of voice applications 33 20060282024 MULTIFUNCTION. EQUIPMENT 34 20060269251 Body exercise A/V player controller 35 20060259629 Methods and apparatus for determining aspects of multimedia performance of a wireless device 36 20060252602 Program and system for managing fitness activity across diverse exercise machines utilizing a portable computer system 37 20060236248 Methods and apparatus for implementing manual and hybrid control modes in automated graphical indicators and controls 38 20060229822 System, method and software for automated detection of predictive events 39 20060220883 Method and system of aircraft pilot assessment 40 20060206442 Systems and methods for managing control systems through java extensions 41 20060199702 ADJUSTABLE ELLIPTICAL EXERCISE MACHINE 42 20060186910 Mapping variations in local temperature and local power supply-voltage that are present during operation of an integrated circuit 43 20060183602 System for weight loss and improving physical fitness 44 20060183083 Vehicle crew training system 45 20060172858 Control panel for fitness machine 46 20060166791 Elliptical exercise machine with adjustable elliptical path 47 20060155201 CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING MULTIPLE MORPHOLOGY TEMPLATES FOR DISCRIMINATING BETWEEN RHYTHMS 48 20060111944 System and method for encouraging performance of health-promoting measures 49 20060094572 Control for hydraulic system for exercise equipment 50 20060094569 Exercise machine and method for use in training selected muscle groups 51 20060084553 Treading exercise machine having twisting operation function 52 20060084422 Control glove 53 20060080657 Method and structure for autonomic application differentiation/specialization 54 20060074755 Online loyalty program 55 20060073809 Online loyalty program 56 20060058159 ELLIPTICAL EXERCISE APPARATUS CAMS 57 20060053215 Systems And-methods for providing users with access to computer resources 58 20060046913 Ergonomic total body developer 59 20060046905 Load variance system and method for exercise machine 60 20060046898 System and method for automating and controlling waiting list 61 20060040795 ORBITAL EXERCISE MACHINE WITH ARM EXERCISE 62 20060033625 DIGITAL ASSURANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM TO EXTEND IN- HOME LIVING 63 20060030466 Feet-binding apparatus for a tilting inversion exercise machine 64 20060030460 Adjustable press arm apparatus and methods for exercise machines 65 20050277519 Compact Elliptical exercise machine with adjustable stride length 66 20050272562 EXERCISE MACHINE 67 20050258838 Mapping variations in local temperature and local power supply voltage that are present during operation of an integrated circuit 68 20050245370 Powerwalk plus 69 20050239602 Bi directional resistance exercise apparatus 70 20050227815 Walk simulating machine 71 20050209052 System and method for selective adjustment of exercise apparatus 72 20050181918 Vibrationary exercise apparatus 73 20050181912 Elliptical exercise apparatus with adjustable crank 74 20050164853 Dynamically controlled resistance exercise machine 75 20050164837 Stride adjustment mechanism 76 20050148441 Adjustable exercise device 77 20050124471 Total body exercise machine with adjustable railings and/or adjustable incline 78 20050102172 System and method for evaluating insurance member activity and pricing insurance products 79 20050101464 Exercise machine 80 20050084831 Training simulator and method of constructing same 81 20050075214 Program and system for managing fitness activity across diverse exercise utilizing a portable computer system 82 20050066353 Method and system to monitor delivery of content to a content destination 83 20050049122 Physical rehabiliation and fitness exercise device 84 20050049121 Exercise device with centrally mounted resistance rod and automatic weight selector apparatus 85 20050023275 Procedure for soldering the constituent layers of a multilayer printed circuit and the machine used for same 86 20050015118 Muscle stimulation systems 87 20040260960 Method for pulse train reduction of clocking power when switching between full clocking power and nap mode 88 20040254050 Automatic variable resistance exercise system 89 20040242383 Strength and power training system 90 20040224827 Selectable force exercise machine 91 20040220019 Easy access stepper 92 20040215791 Concurrent web based multi-task support for control management system 93 20040214693 Dual deck exercise device 94 20040209738 System and method for controlling an exercise apparatus 95 20040176223 Inclined leg press weight training machine 96 20044162193 Exercise device for side-to side stepping motion 97 20040157714 Electric exercise machine for tilting and inverting human body 98 20040138033 Exercise machine 99 20040127335 Systems and methods for controlling the operation of one or more exercise devices and providing motivational programming 100 20040106502 Exercise machine 101 20040097339 Adjustable stride elliptical motion exercise machine and associated methods 102 20040093313 Maritime freight option 103 20040067822 Instrument for exercise machine 104 20040062558 Functionality switching for MICR printing 105 20040054302 Method and device for determining the anatomical condition of a human being or an animal and a strength training machine and a computer programme which is saved to a memory medium 106 20040033864 Proprioceptive/kinesthetic apparatus and method 107 20040018918 Control circuit using toggled activation to reduce inrush currents 108 20040018917 Cooling system for exercise machine 109 20040009857 Leg press weight training machine 110 20040005960 Treading exercise machine with elliptical trace 111 20040002409 Leg curl/leg extension weight training-machine 112 20030226695 Weight control method using physical activity based parameters 113 20030198251 Fibre channel arbitrated loop bufferless switch circuitry to increase bandwidth without significant increase in cost 114 20030186784 Training machine, image output processing device and method, and recording medium which stores image outputting programs 115 20030181291 Training machine image output processing device and method, and recording medium which. stores image outputting .programs 116 20030174722 Fibre channel arbitrated loop bufferless switch circuitry to increase bandwidth without significant increase in cost 117 20030174721 Fibre channel arbitrated logy bufferless switch circuit to increase bandwidth without significant increase in cost 118 20030174720 Fibre channel arbitrated loop bufferless switch circuitry to increase bandwidth without significant increase in cost 119 2003069753 Fibre channel arbitrated loop bufferless switch circuitry to increase bandwidth without significant increase in cost 120 20030168571 Adjustable rack 121 20030158796 Distributed personal automation and shopping method, apparatus, and process 122 20030158020 Overhead adjustable resistance exercise machine 123 20030148853 Apparatus for physical exercise with magnetic interaction between the parts of which it is made 124 20030134714 Exercise assistance apparatus 125 20030120183 Assistive clothing 126 20030118040 Fibre channel arbitrated loop bufferless switch circuitry to increase bandwidth without significant increase in cost 127 20030108061 Fibre channel arbitrated loop bufferless switch circuitry to increase bandwidth without significant increase in cost 128 20030108060 Fibre channel arbitrated loop bufferless switch circuitry to increase bandwidth without significant increase in cost 129 20030108058 Fibre channel arbitrated loop bufferless switch circuitry to increase bandwidth without significant increase in cost 130 20030108050 Fibre channel arbitrated loop bufferless switch circuitry to increase bandwidth without significant increase in cost 131 20030107996 Fibre channel arbitrated loop bufferless switch circuitry to increase bandwidth without significant increase in cost 132 20030104908 Electronic running exercise machine with a bidirectional supersonic detector 133 20030092532 Exercise device for cross training 134 20030088808 Design verification 135 20030080929 Switched mode digital logic method, system and apparatus for directly driving LCD glass 136 20030069108 Exercise training and monitoring system 137 20030032529 Remote measuring device for an exercise machine with counterweights 138 20030013995 Fat combustion value calculating method, fat combustion value calculating-device and exercise machine 139 20030001882 Portable entertainment machines

140 20020147075 Exercise machine, capable of training and soothing muscles 141 20020138317 System for implementing an exchange 142 20020115537 Rowing exercise machine 143 20020111251 Golfing exercise machine 144 20020087373 System and method to organize and manage corporate capitilization and securities 145 20020055419 System and method to improve fitness training 146 20020055417 VARIBLE CONFIGURATION EXERCISE MACHINE 147 20020037792 Fitness equipment 148 20020036389 Bicycle pedaling power unit with. leverage shifting 149 20020025888 Programmable exercise machine 150 20020019298 Pathfinder elliptical exercise machine 151 20020002104 Posture training machine 152 20010051565 Exercise machine 153 20010036886 Variable stride elliptical exercise apparatus 154 20010016510 Game machine, game device control method, information storage medium game distribution device, and game distribution method 155 20010011052 Power controlled exercising machine and method for controlling the same 156 20010008861 Machine-assisted exercising 1 7,280,871 Muscle stimulation systems 2 7,226,401 Exercise machine 3 7,207,925 Compact elliptical exercise machine with adjustable stride length 4 7,201,708 Machine-assisted exercising 5 7,182,714 Compact elliptical exercise machine with adjustable stride length 6 7,175,568 Elliptical exercise apparatus with articulating track 7 7,150,702 Leg curl/leg extension weight training machine 8 7,128,693 Program and system for managing fitness activity across diverse exercise machines utilizing a portable computer system 9 7,104,929 Adjustable elliptical exercise machine 10 7,097,591 Adjustable stride elliptical motion exercise machine and associated methods 11 7,086,995 Control circuit using toggled activation to reduce inrush currents 12 7,077,795 Feet-binding apparatus for a tilting inversion exercise machine 13 7,060,003 Horizontal rope pulling apparatus 14 7,052,438 Elliptical exercise apparatus cams 15 7 044,893 Walk simulating, machine 16 7,028,221 Apparatus and method for capturing knowledge through an expert interface 17 7,025,711 Orbital exercise machine with arm exercise 18 7,014,600 Overhead adjustable resistance exercise machine 19 7,009,157 Procedure for soldering the constituent layers of a multilayer printed circuit and the machine used for same 20 7,004,891 Inclined leg press weight training machine 21 7,004,890 Leg press weight training machine 22 6,994,657 Elliptical exercise machine 23 6,991,587 Elliptical exercise apparatus with a~ustment 24 6,955,630 Exercise machine 25 6,942,599 Control panel for use while exercising 26 6,920,584 System design verification using selected states of a processor-based system to reveal deficiencies 27 6,909,856 Functionality .switching for MICR printing 28 6,902,513 Interactive. fitness equipment 29 6,881,176 Exercise assistance apparatus 30 6,878,099 Cooling system for exercise machine 31 6,811,517 Polestrider exercise apparatus with dual treads 32 6,749,537 Method and apparatus for remote interactive exercise and health equipment 33 6,746,371 Managing fitness activity across diverse exercise machines utilizing a portable computer system 34 6,735,576 Method of real-time optimization of control device equipped with fuzzy inference system 35 6,702,719 Exercise machine 36 6,695,694 Game machine, game device control method, information storage medium, game distribution device, and game distribution method 37 6,683,587 Switched mode digital logic method. system and apparatus for directly driving LCD glass 38 6,651,201 Programmable memory built-in self-test combining microcode and finite state machine self-test 39 6,634,992 Training machine, image output processing device and method, and recording medium which stores image outputting programs 40 6,632,161 Apparatus and a method for loading weights 41 6,626,805 Exercise machine 42 6 626,800 Method of exercise prescription and evaluation 43 6,612,969 Variable stride elliptical exercise apparatus 44 6,601,016 Monitoring fitness activity across diverse exercise machines utilizing a universally accessible server system 45 6,579,212 Posture training machine 46 6,561,955 Machine-assisted exercising 47 6,554,309 Bicycle pedaling power unit with leverage shifting 48 6,537,229 Method and apparatus for monitoring and improving blood circulation by resonance 49 6,535,862 Method and circuit for performing the integrity diagnostic of an artificial neural network 50 6,511,404 Exercise machine capable of training and soothing muscles 51 6,482,132 Compact elliptical exercise apparatus 52 6,458,080 Managing parameters effecting the comprehensive health of a user 53 6,443,837 Bonus games for gaming machines with strategy options 54 6,440 042 Pathfinder elliptical exercise machine 55 6 422,977 Compact elliptical exercise machine with adjustment 56 6,422,976 Compact elliptical exercise machine with arm exercise 57 6 413,191 Exercise equipment connected to an electronic game of chance 58 6,409,632 Compact elliptical exercise machine 59 6,394,239 Controllable medium device and apparatus utilizing same 60 6,390,951 Apparatus and method for aligning exercise machines 61 6,383,154 Multi-stage bi-directional breath flow and blood circulation aider 62 6,368,251 Machine force application control with safety braking system and exercise method 63 6,361,476 Variable exercise apparatus 64 6,339,910 Device for the of products into a packaging container 65 6,336,891 Interactive exercise pad system 66 6,314,390 Method of determining model parameters for a MOSFET compact model using a stochastic search algorithm 67 6,311,488 Cooling fan drive apparatus 68 6,302,833 Multi-function exercise machine 69 6,301,515 System for establishing optimal critical characteristics of manufactured products 70 6,293,375 Permanent magnet brake mechanism 71 6,283,896 Computer interface with remote communication apparatus for an exercise, machine 72 6,270,445 In-bed exercise machine and method of use 73 6,264,197 Dozer pusher amusement game 74 6,244,988 Interactive exercise system and attachment module for same 75 6,193,631 Force script implementation over a wide area network 76 6,179,746 Activity controlled audio-visual system 77 6,176,813 Power controlled exercising machine and method for controlling the same 78 6,168,552 Selective lift elliptical exercise apparatus 79 6,162,151 Ambulatory exercise machine and ambulatory exercise system 80 6,152,856 Real time simulation sensing 81 6,152,855 In-bed exercise machine and method of use 82 6,149,612 Rehabilitative apparatus for treating reflex sympathetic dystrophy 83 6,135,924 Treadmill with optical position sensing 84 6,129,552 Teaching installation learning and practicing the use of fire-fighting equipment 85 6,106,297 Distributed interactive simulation manager system and method 86 6,095,949 Health management device 87 6,090,014 Adjustable cross trainer exercise apparatus 88 6,085,135 Method for agricultural map image display, 89 6,077,198 Selective lift. cross trainer exercise apparatus 90 6,077,196 Adjustable elliptical exercise apparatus 91 6 066 074 Exercise apparatus and method 92 6,064,854 Computer assisted interactive entertainment/educational character-goods 93 6,059,692 Apparatus for remote interactive exercise and health equipment 94 6,056,670 Power controlled exercising machine and method for controlling the same 95 6,045,488 Lift variable cross trainer exercise apparatus 96 6,042,513 Non destructive runaway protection for an electric motor 97 6,042,512 Variable lift cross trainer exercise apparatus 98 6,042 508 Adjustable hand-held exercise weight with pulse detection and remote infrared control 99 6,024,676 Compact cross trainer exercise apparatus 100 5,993,359 Variable stroke elliptical exercise apparatus

[0004] Selecting the condition of a machine with a card having punched holes or a magnetic stripe is too well known to require description. Newer RFID (radio frequency identification device) tags and transponders are also known. Disclosures of these are incorporated herein by reference to the first 100 of 3032 U.S. patent Publications and 813 U.S. patents, such incorporation being based on their designation by the Patent Office web site as claiming an rfid tag or transponder.

TABLE-US-00002 PUB. APP. NO. Title 1 20070276985 Data format for efficient encoding and access of multiple data items in RFID tags 2 20070276984 Data format for efficient encoding and access of multiple data items in RFID tags 3 20070276944 APPARATUS FOR ACCESS CONTROL AND PROCESSING 4 20070276923 Printed publication with an interface to a video or audio device 5 20070276735 Information system and information-providiniz method 6 20070275735 MAP INFORMATION COMMUNICATED VIA A WIRELESS SYSTEM 7 20070275673 SIGNAL TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF PREVENTING THE RECEIVING END FROM SATURATING 8 20070274626 Optical Device Characterization 9 20070274242 MULTI-TAG EMULATOR 10 20070273534 Vehicle activity module 11 20070273532 RFID tag for conductive surface 12 20070273531 Communication antenna and pole with built-in antenna 13 20070273530 Tag communication device, tag moving direction detecting system and tag moving direction detecting method 14 20070273525 RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS APPLICATIONS 15 20070273524 WIRELESS SYSTEM TO DETECT PRESENCE OF CHILD-IN A BABY CAR SEAT 16 20070273520 Garment marking clip and label strip 17 20070273519 System For Manning Information Of A RFID Tag, Apparatus For Communicating With A RFID Tag Reader For Communicating With A RFID Tag, Cartridge For Including At Least A RFID Tag, And RFID Tag 18 20070273517 Apparatus and method for integrated healthcare management 19 2007027316 Self-referential-integrity checking system and method 20 20070273481 RFID to with programmable read range 21 20070273473 Wireless communications devices, wireless communications systems, and methods of performing wireless communications with a portable device 22 20070272758 Cartridge and system for duplicating optical disks 23 20070272746 Medical Device Radio Frequency Identification System and Method 24 20070272272 Dishwasher and Method Thereof 25 20070271180 MULTIMEDIA CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF COUPLING A SENSOR ENABLED-MEDIUM TO A NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE 26 20070270744 Limited Reuse Assembly For Ophthalmic Injjection Device 27 20070270672 Wearable Sensor Device and System 28 20070268759 Systems for and methods of asset management in a waste management service environment 29 20070268322 Printer 30 20070268142 VSWR classification and non-resonant encoding of RFID tags using a near- field encoder 31 20070268136 Methods and apparatus for determining and using distance information for distances between RFID transceivers and REID tags 32 20070268135 System and method for detecting, monitoring, tracking and identifying explosive materials .using visibility devices 33 20070266782 USER INTERFACE FOR VEHICLE INSPECTION 34 20070265984 Financial transaction using mobile devices 35 20070265964 System and Method for Payment Using Radio Frequency Identification in Contact and Contactless Transactions 36 20070265924 System and method for funding a collective account b use of an electronic tag 37 20070265877 INFORMATIVE ACCESSORIES 38 20070265799 System for determining three dimensional position of radio transmitter 39 20070265729 SYSTEM, METHOD AND CORRESPONDING APPARATUS FOR STORING, RETRIEVING AND DELIVERING UNIT DOSE BLISTERS 40 20070265004 System-for measuring radio communicative region 41 20070264974 Privacy Control of Location Information 42 20070264968 Location-Based Targeting 43 20070263560 Push-to-talk over cellular group set-up and handling using near field communication (NFC) 44 20070262873 REFID UHF STRIPLINE ANTENNA-COUPLER 45 20070262872 MULTISTATIC ANTENNA CONFIGURATION FOR RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) SYSTEMS 46 20070262870 Tag communication system, interference preventing method and tag communication controller 47 20070262867 RFID COUPLER FOR METALLIC IMPLEMENTS 48 20070262865 Antenna for a Combination Eas/Rfid Tag with a Detacher 49 20070262864 CONTAINER FOR INCLUDING AT LEAST A RFID TAG, APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A RFID TAG, MANAGEMENT SERVER FOR MANAGING PRODUCTION INFORMATION OF_A RFID TAG, AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR MANAGING PRODUCTION INFORMATION OF A RFID TAG 50 20070262860 Distribution of Messages and the Serving, Collecting, Managing, and Analyzing and Reporting of Information relating to Mobile and other Electronic Devices 51 20070262849 Active/Passive Coupled Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)_system 52 20070262134 SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTIVATING TELEPHONE-BASED PAYMENT INSTRUMENT 53 20070261713 Transmitting/Receiving Device for Washing Machine and Apparatus and Method Thereof 54 20070261280 Portable folding sign apparatus 55 20070260808 Remotely controllable media distribution device 56 20070260572 INTERACTIVE DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 57 20070260491 System for delivery and monitoring of administration of controlled substances 58 20070260466 System and methods for a recycling program 59 20070259477 Process for Making an Organic Field Effect Transistor 60 20070258957 Method for obtaining and storing multipotent stem cells 61 20070258221 Semiconductor Device 62 20070257984. Method for Displaying Route Information 63 20070257857 Apparatus for and Method of Using a Diversity Antenna 64 20_070257803 RF-CONTROLLED DEVICES TO INCREASE COMPLIANCE WITH HANDWASHING PROTOCOLS 65 20070257802 Memory module and card with integrated RFID tag 66 20070257801 RFID label, tag tape roll, RED. circuit element cartridge 67 20070257800 IC tags/RFID tags for magnetic resonance imaging applications 68 20070257799 METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR USING DAISY CHAINED RFID TAGS 69 20070257796 Wireless picocellular RFID systems and methods 70 20070257795 Systems and methods for approximating the location of an REID tag 71 20070257776 Verification of singulated RFID tags by RFID readers 72 20070257768 System and method for point-of-sale activation of consumer electronics 73 20070257101 Systems and methods for providing access to gaming devices 74 20070256291 Electronic small elements supported on a carrier. 75 20070255820 Methods and apparatus for aconsolidated switch for use with networked RF components 76 20070254712 Mobile commerce method and device 77 20070254676 Assisting A Location-Determining System Using Location Determined From A Communication System 78 20070254674 Location Determination With A Wireless System 79 20070254670 System and method for optimizing throughput in a wireless network 80 20070254080 RFID food production, inventory and delivery management method for a restaurant 81 20070253593 Methods for making an authenticating system 82 20070252944 Eyewear with enhanced fit 83 20070252773 Antenna Structure for a Wireless Device with a Ground Plane Shaped as a Loop 84 20070252704 REID label 85 20070252701 RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) PORTAL ANTENNA MOUNTING FRAME 86 20070252700 Affixing Method of Rfid Label and its Affixing Apparatus 87 20070252697 METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING MISSING ITEMS 88 20070252691 Sensor system including multiple radio frequency identification tags 89 20070252687 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY AND ACCURACY OF RFID SYSTEMS 90 20070252677 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY AND ACCURACY OF RFID SYSTEMS 91 20070252676 Mobile RFID_reader system and_method 92 20070252185 Integrated circuit and manufacturing method thereof 93 20070252001 Access control system with RFID and biometric facial recolanitio_n 94 20070251993 Rfid Card Issuing System 95 20070251521 RFID food production, inventory and delivery management system for_a restaurant 96 20070251190 Method And Apparatus For Inflating And Sealing Packing Cushions Employing Film Recognition Controller 97 20070250704 Privacy enhanced identity scheme using an un-linkable identifier 98 20070250603 System and method for enhancing DHCP and SNMP messages with RFID EPC ID 99 20070250537 METHOD OF MATCHING THE CONTENTS OF A CONTAINER WITH INFORMATION PERTAINING TO ITS USE 100 20070250411 System and method for inventory tracking and control of mission-critical military equipment and supplies

TABLE-US-00003 PAT. NO. Title 1 7,305,324 System and method for identifying. validating, weighing and characterizing moving or stationary vehicles and cargo 2 7,304,585 Initiation of actions with compressed action language representations 3 7,304,579 RFID reader to select code modules 4 7,304 578 Tag including RFID circuit storing data modifiable using a physically alterable medium 5 7,304,577 Variable frequency radio frequency identification (RFID)-tags 6 7,304 576 Refurbishing and resale techniques for data storage tape 7 7,304,574 Alarm investigation using RFID 8 7,303,123 Method of labeling an item for item-level identification 9 7,303,120 System for biometric security using a FOB 10 7 303,080 Waste sensor for a disposable container 11 7,302,751 Method of fabricating a rat's nest RFID antenna 12 7,299,987 Portable handset having a radio frequency identification(RFID function and method using the same 13 7,299,125 In-transit package location tracking and reporting 14 7,298,330 RFID tag with enhanced readability 15 7 298,273 RFID tag 16 7,298,268 Read authentication system for securing data stored on RFID tags 17 7,298,267 RFID test interface systems and methods 18 7,298,265 RFID tag and method of manufacturing the same 19 7,298,264 RFID tag filtering and monitoring 20 7,298,258 Construction hard hat having electronic circuitry 21 7,298,251 Hand held RFID reader with dipole antenna 22 7,296,745 Store item mark down system and method 23 7,296,740 Routing telecommunications to a user in_dependence upon location 24 7,295,132 Self-locating devices via highly directional RFID tags in controlled location 25 7 295,120 Device for verifying a location of a radio-frequency-identification RFID tan an item 26 7,295,118 Low cost RFID system 27 7,295,116 Architecture, programming model and APPS 28 7,295,114 Location management for radio frequency identification readers 29 7,295,113 Controller for accessing multiple frequency identification (RFID) readers 30 7,294,369 Polymerisable cinnamates with lateral substitution 31 7,294,116 Surgical smoke plume evacuation system 32 7,293,715 Marking system and method 33 7,293,705 Radio frequency identification method and system of distributing products 34 7,292,512 System using radio frequency identification (RFID) for copy management of digital media 35 7 292,148 Method of variable position strap mounting for RFID transponder 36 7 292,147 Optical disk and method of integrating a high gain RFID antenna 37 7,292,146 Advanced food and or drink organization and or handling system 38 7,292,138 Vehicle tire with RFID tag 39 7,290,717 System and method for machine readable symbol backup for radio frequency identification tags 40 7,290,709 Information.sub.----card.sub.------system 41 7,290,702 Method and apparatus for recording and utilizing unknown signals of remote control devices 42 7,290,701 Gathering data relating to electrical components picked from stacked trays 43 7,289,810 Location detection and network awareness for multi-mode/multi-radio mobile devices 44 7,289,027 Network management using suppressible RFID tags 45 7,289,026 Method and system for gathering data from RFID tags on library items and transmitting that data to the active focus of an application 46 7,287,693 Proximity validation system and method 47 7,286,900 Medical item storage method 48 7,286,888 Automated manufacturing control 49 7,286835 Enhanced wireless node location using differential signal strength metric 50 7,286,158 Method and system for providing integrated remote monitoring services 51 7,286,055 Tamper-resistant RFID disabling apparatus 52 7,286,043 System and method for inventorying multiple remote objects 53 7,2,84704 Combined electromagnetic and optical communication system 54 7,284,703 System and method for minimizing unwanted re-negotiation of a passive RFID tag 55 7,284,692 ATM with RFID card, note, and check reading capabilities 56 7 284,003 Product lifecycle data management system and product lifecycle data management method 57 7,283,975 System and method for tracking and managing construction projects 58 7,283,054 Tamper-resistant RFID disabling, apparatus and method of manufacturing 59 7,283,048 Multi-level meshed security network 60 7,283,044 Method and apparatus for a privacy enabling radio frequency identification (RFID) reader 61 7,283,037 RFID tags adjusting to different regulatory environments, and RFID readers to so adjust them and methods 62 7,283,035 Radio frequency data communications device with selectively removable antenna portion and method 63 7,281,657 Device for digitizing and processing checks in accordance with the Check 21 Act and for reading an decoding optical codes 64 7,281,311 Method of attaching a transfer resistant RFID tag to a surface 65 7,280,642 Status monitories system utilizing an RFID monitoring system 66 7,280,251 System and method for calibrating color printers 67 7,280,045 Machine-readable tag selectable extension antennas for use therewith, and display structure having such tag 68 7,280,044 RFID activated paperchip tag 69 7,278,568 Mail sorting systems and methods 70 7,277,889 Asset management and status system 71 7,277 223 Apparatus-and methods for focusing and collimating telescopes 72 7,277,017 RFID tag 73 7,277,016 System and method for disabling RFID tags 74 7,276,137 Textile product having an integrated sensor for measuring pressure and temperature 75 7,275,682 Sample identification utilizing RFID tags 76 7,275,040 RFID security-device for optical disc 77 7,274,909 Method and system for selecting items for service requests 78 7,274,297 RFID tag and method of manufacture 79 7,274,296 RFID tag 80 7,274,292 Proximity management system and method using radio-frequency identification tags 81 7,274,291 Dynamic and hybrid RFID 82 7 273 179 Portable data reading device with integrated web server for configuration and data extraction 83 7,272,502 RFID tag installation system using a vehicle and a method thereof 84 7,271,719 RFID system for monitoring food hygiene 85 7,271,715 Personal articles tracking 86 7,271,702 Method and system for autonomous correlation of sensed environmental.. attributes with entities 87 7,270,268 Radio frequency identification systems applications 88 7,269,361 System and method for notifying a user of a document left at a xerographic apparatus 89 7,268,736 Small rectenna for radio frequency identification transponder 90 7,268,688 Shielded RFID transceiver with illuminated sensing surface 91 7,268,687 Radio frequency identification tags with compensating elements 92 7,268 686 RFID radiation nullifier 93 7,268,684 Workstation RFID reader for surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays and methods of using same 94 7,268,680 Electronic identification tag with electronic banding 95 7,267,286 System and method for batch conversion of RFID tag to to RFID label 96 7,267,270 Goods tracking system and method 97 7,267,262 Method and apparatus confirming valuable items 98 7,266,518 Spare parts inventory management 99 7,265,675 Multistatic antenna configuration for radio frequency identifcation (RFID) systems 100 7,264,161 Process for, monitoring production of compositions

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This invention changes this paradigm by introducing the concept of Smart Embedded Actuator System for RFID Enabled Fitness Machines. From a practical perspective, this means that a user will carry, e.g., wear, an interactive, e.g. punched, magnetic or RFID tag, which herein includes any such portable transponder, that will be detected by a reader on or at a condition selectable fitness machine. The detection of the tag will provide information relative to the user and/or a selectable condition of the machine.

[0006] If the detection of the tag provides selection of a condition of the machine, the machine is set for the condition relative to the user by the user's carrying the tag detected. In this case, the user may have to carry multiple tags to provide information relative to the user to select conditions of respective machines and/or to change the tag carried when the condition selected is to be changed.

[0007] If the detection of the tag provides information relative to the user, e.g. user identification, the reader is connected to a device, e.g., a PC running a software application that will associate the tag identification with its own database of condition selection for the identified user for correspondingly setting a respective fitness machine.

[0008] The condition of the machine set depends on the machine. For a treadmill, for example, the condition may be one or both of time or speed of operation. For a weight lifting machine, for example, an actuator will select a weight to lift. Therefore, still other selectable conditions of these and still other fitness machines are contemplated according to the conditions of such machines selectable relative to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0009] Preferred embodiments that illustrate but do not limit the invention will now be described relative to a drawing in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a pictorial elevation of a weight lifting fitness machine incorporating the invention; and

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom plan view of a weight portion of the fitness machine of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is based on a commercial Iron Body cable-operated weight lifting machine 10. As well known in such machines, a cable arrangement pulls a bar (not shown) having holes (not shown) along its length. The bar extends through central holes (1 in FIG. 2) of a stack of plate weights (2 in FIG. 2) having transverse holes or bottom grooves (4 in FIG. 2) to the holes in the bar. Actuators 6 (one shown in FIG. 2) on each of the plate weights extend members when activated as shown for the one in FIG. 2 into one of the holes in the bar. Then, movement of the bar with the cable lifts all the plate weights above the plate weight with the activated actuator, whereby to select that weight condition for the machine 10.

[0013] To select the actuator to actuate, a user carries to the machine 10 a tag (not shown) indicating the actuator, thereby relating the user to the actuator that will select the condition of the machine relative to the user as described above. While the tag may be in other preferred embodiments (not shown) another machine readable device such as a punch or magnetic-swipe card, the tag for this preferred embodiment is a Radio Frequency Identification Device, RFID, which is known as described above to be a radio frequency transponder that responds without other input power to a radio frequency signal in this case from an RFID antenna 8 on or at the machine 10. A power supply 12 provides the radio frequency signal to the antenna 8, which receives the transponded signal from the tag to indicate an actuator. The transponded signal received by the antenna is provided to an RFID reader 14, which reads from the transponded signal identification of the actuator 2 and sends a signal to the actuator 2 to select it and, thereby, a weight relative to the tag carried by the user.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment, the tag carried by the user identifies the user, for example by a gym membership number or other code or name, and the RFID reader is a personal computer (PC) or PC-like device that looks up the so-identified user in a database that correlates the user to an actuator of the machine to select as above a weight relative to the user.

[0015] Thus, a whole system is composed of: [0016] a) A weight lifting fitness machine (does not matter the brand, in this case IRON BODY brand); [0017] b) An RFID reader and antenna (e.g., a Samsys); [0018] c) A PC (e.g., running windows XP ); [0019] d) A VB6 software application; [0020] e) An actuator (e.g., a solenoid brand Black Knight 123-420-620-620) [0021] f) A DC power supply to energize the solenoid; and [0022] g) Sensors (OPTIONAL, to count the number of exercise repetitions being performed).

[0023] Though the invention makes sense as a whole, considering all the components and their interaction to offer a SMART experience, the unique/innovative element is the embedded actuator in each of the machines's weight plates, controlled by the RFID reader.

[0024] Variations, permutations and combinations of the elements of the invention as will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art are contemplated as within the scope of the invention of the following claims.

Claims

1. In a system with an exercise machine having an adjustable response, the improvements comprising: at least one of a selection panel for operation by a user or transmitter for carrying by the user, the selection panel or transmitter for transmitting user-related data; a receiver for receiving the user-related data; and a device operatively connected to the exercise machine for setting the adjustable response of the exercise machine in response to the received user-related data.

2. The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter is a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID).

3. The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the selection panel is at the exercise machine for receiving the user-related data.

4. The exercise machine according to claim 2, wherein the selection panel is at the exercise machine for receiving the user-related data.

5. The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises means for converting the user-related data into the adjustable response, whereby the same user-related data may adjust different responses on different exercise machines.

6. The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the device comprise at least one of a PC or solenoid.

7. The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the selection panel and transmitter is voice responsive for input thereinto of the user-related data.

8. The exercise according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable response is at least one of weight, speed or duration.

9. In a fitness machine having a controllable condition, the improvements comprising: means for carrying to the fitness machine by a user of the fitness machine and identifying the user; a reader on or at the fitness machine for detecting the identifying of the user and associating the identification with a condition selection for the user in a database; and an actuator on the fitness machine responsive to the condition selection for correspondingly setting the fitness machine.

10. In a fitness machine having a controllable condition, the improvements comprising: means for carrying to the fitness machine by a user of the fitness machine and selecting the controllable condition of the fitness machine relative to the user; a reader on or at the fitness machine for detecting the selected controllable condition; and an actuator on the fitness machine responsive to the selected controllable condition for correspondingly setting the fitness machine.