U.S. patent application number 12/230760 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-19 for custom exercise video website.
Invention is credited to Robert E. Adams, Karen L. Joubert.
Application Number | 20090075782 12/230760 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40455103 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090075782 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Joubert; Karen L. ; et
al. |
March 19, 2009 |
Custom Exercise video website
Abstract
The custom exercise video website implements a computerized
method for development of a personal fitness/wellness training
regimen that is uniquely tailored to an individual user's needs.
The website provides a user interface that can accept user inputs
related to the user's desire for physical therapy and/or exercise
of a body part, muscle group or series of muscle groups. Based on
the user inputs, system processing creates a multimedia playlist
linking discrete video clips together to form a unique exercise
program having clips that have been sequentially ordered by the
user. A user-selectable running time is also provided. The website
provides an option to add a user-specified music track to the
exercise video. The music volume will automatically adjust down
when the audio from the clips is on. The video is formatted in a
digital file that can be played by a variety of media players.
Inventors: |
Joubert; Karen L.; (Pacific
Palisades, CA) ; Adams; Robert E.; (Studio City,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
POST OFFICE BOX 15035, CRYSTAL CITY STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22215-0035
US
|
Family ID: |
40455103 |
Appl. No.: |
12/230760 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60960116 |
Sep 17, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H03G 3/32 20130101; G06K
9/00765 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/9 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/00 20060101
A63B071/00 |
Claims
1. A custom exercise video website, comprising: a web server
adapted for connection to a network; a file server having a
plurality of multimedia files stored thereon, the plurality of
multimedia files demonstrating exercises; an application server
software program stored on and executing on the web server, the
application server software program having: means for publishing a
plurality of web pages establishing a custom exercise video
creating website; means for selecting a link to web pages on the
website, the web pages relating to exercises affecting a
user-selected part of the user's body; means for selecting a link
to and retrieving the exercise demonstrating multimedia files
stored on the file server; means for consolidating the retrieved
multimedia files in a user-selected sequence to form an exercise
program video; multimedia track mixing software, the multimedia
track mixing software adding a user specified music track to the
exercise program video; and means for downloading the exercise
program video to a client connected to the network for storage and
playback on a client's media player.
2. The custom exercise video website according to claim 1, further
comprising a duck music under voice feature, the duck music under
voice feature automatically adjusting down the user added music
track in track locations where the exercise video clip has vocal
instructions.
3. The custom exercise video website according to claim 1, wherein
the video is formatted in a digital file that can be played by a
variety of media players.
4. The custom exercise video website according to claim 1, wherein
the multimedia files stored on the file server include exercise
video clip groups associated with a plurality of exercise types
defining targeted muscle groups, individual video clips in the
video clip groups being selectable by the user for incorporation
into the custom exercise video.
5. The custom exercise video website according to claim 1, wherein
the multimedia files are stored in a flat file format.
6. The custom exercise video website according to claim 1, wherein
the multimedia files are stored in a relational database.
7. The custom exercise video website according to claim 1, wherein
the multimedia files are stored in a hierarchical database.
8. The custom exercise video website according to claim 1, wherein
the multimedia files are stored in an object database.
9. The custom exercise video website according to claim 1, further
comprising a transaction server connected to the custom exercise
video website, the transaction server accepting on-line payment for
user-requested exercise videos provided by the website.
10. The custom exercise video website according to claim 9, wherein
a set of business rules are stored in the transaction server, the
business rules implementing customer loyalty programs and repeat
customer discounts.
11. The custom exercise video website according to claim 1, wherein
the means for selecting a link to and retrieving the exercise
demonstrating multimedia files stored on the file server further
comprises means for selecting a single clip any desired number of
times to create a user-determined number of sets of that
exercise.
12. A computerized method for delivering a customized exercise
program through a website, comprising the steps of: storing a
plurality of multimedia clips in a database accessible to an
application server, each of the multimedia clips including
demonstrations of a specific exercise related to a specific area of
the body; displaying to a user a page served by the application
server, the page having a plurality of links describing a
corresponding plurality of the specific areas of the body;
displaying, responsive to user selection of one of the displayed
links, a menu including a related plurality of exercises; providing
a multimedia clip playlist on the page, the multimedia clip
playlist being accessible by the user; providing an object transfer
function on the page allowing the user to transfer selected
exercises from the menu to the playlist in a user desired order;
and providing a mixdown function, the mixdown function allowing the
user to specify a music track, the mixdown function mixing the user
specified music track to the exercise program video; wherein
individual multimedia clips are sequentially ordered in the
multimedia playlist to provide a custom exercise video designed by
the user.
13. The computerized method for delivering a customized exercise
program through a website according to claim 12, wherein the object
transfer function comprises a drag and drop feature on the page
allowing the user to drag and drop selected exercises from the menu
to the playlist in the user desired order.
14. The computerized method for delivering a customized exercise
program through a website according to claim 12, further comprising
the step of automatically adjusting down the user added music track
in track locations where the exercise video clip has vocal
instructions.
15. The computerized method for delivering a customized exercise
program through a website according to claim 12, further comprising
the step of formatting the video in a digital file that can be
played by a variety of media players.
16. The computerized method for delivering a customized exercise
program through a website according to claim 12, further comprising
the step of including within the stored multimedia clips exercise
video clip groups associated with a plurality of exercise types
defining targeted muscle groups, individual video clips in the
video clip groups being selectable by the user for incorporation
into the custom exercise video.
17. The computerized method for delivering a customized exercise
program through a website according to claim 12, further comprising
the step of accepting on-line payment for user-requested exercise
videos provided by the website.
18. The computerized method for delivering a customized exercise
program through a website according to claim 12, further comprising
the step of providing a set of business rules implementing customer
loyalty programs and repeat customer discounts.
19. The computerized method for delivering a customized exercise
program through a website according to claim 12, wherein the object
transfer providing step further comprises allowing the user to
select a single clip any desired number of times thereby creating a
user-determined number of sets of that exercise.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/960,116, filed Sep. 17, 2007.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to personal exercise
routine development and, more particularly, relates to a custom
exercise video website that permits a user to download exercise
video demonstrations with audio instruction and user-selectable
musical accompaniment to a PC, iPod.RTM. (ipod is a registered
trademark of Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), MP3, or other media
playback device.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Exercise routines, such as aerobic exercise routines,
strength training routines, and flexibility training routines are
available from books, television, DVD's and the Internet. Exercise
clubs and gyms provide even more specific exercise opportunities.
Following routines provided in books, television, the Internet,
clubs, or gyms can often improve an individual's level of fitness.
However, these routines are usually predetermined and directed to
broad categories of individuals. For example, an exercise routine,
such as a strength training program, may be directed to
intermediate weight training students and may meet the needs of a
twenty-five year old male, but it will seldom meet the specific
needs of a twenty-five year old male who has very aggressive weight
training goals.
[0006] Routines that are not tailored to an individual's needs
often do not help the individual efficiently meet his/her goals. A
workout plan from a book also does not provide the motivation that
comes from a custom video demonstration designed to address a
specific fitness regimen. An individual who is unable to
efficiently meet his/her goals due to a lack of a customized
exercise program is likely to become discouraged and discontinue
his/her exercise routine.
[0007] Thus a customized exercise video website solving the
aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The custom exercise video website embodies a
computer-implemented method for development of a personal
fitness/wellness training regimen that is uniquely tailored to an
individual user's needs. The website provides a user interface that
can accept user inputs related to the user's desire for physical
therapy and/or exercise of a body part, muscle group or series of
muscle groups. Based on the user inputs, system processing creates
a video playlist linking discrete exercise video clips together to
form a unique exercise video consistent with the user's abilities,
desires, and training goals. A user-selectable running time is also
provided. The website provides an option to add a user specified
music track to the exercise video. The music volume will
automatically adjust down when the audio from the clips is on. The
video is formatted in a digital file that can be played by a
variety of media players.
[0009] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a custom exercise video
website according to the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 1B is a screenshot of a representative login page of a
custom exercise video website according to the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a screenshot of a representative exercise select
and download page of a custom exercise video website according to
the present invention.
[0013] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] The present invention relates to a custom exercise video
website that implements a computerized method for development of a
personal fitness/wellness training regimen that is uniquely
tailored to an individual user's needs. The website provides a user
interface that can accept user inputs related to the user's desire
for physical therapy and/or exercise of a body part, muscle group
or series of muscle groups.
[0015] Based on the user inputs, system processing creates a video
playlist linking discrete exercise video clips together to form a
unique exercise video consistent with the user's abilities,
desires, and training goals. A user-selectable running time is also
provided. The website provides an option to add a user specified
music track to the exercise video.
[0016] The music volume will automatically adjust down when the
video clip audio is on. The video is formatted in a digital file
that can be played by a variety of media players.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the website operates in a system 100
that may be connected to user computers 120 via the Internet 102 or
other web-based network supporting the Hypertext Transfer Protocol
(HTTP). Exercise software may execute in application server 105,
utilizing mass storage unit 110 for storage in a database of a
plurality of exercise video clip groups associated with a plurality
of exercise types defining targeted muscle groups and/or body parts
for exercise. A variety of database storage techniques including,
but not limited to, flat files, relational databases, hierarchical
databases, and object databases may be employed to store, update
and retrieve the video clip groups utilizing mass storage unit 110
or other suitable storage device accessible to the application
server 105.
[0018] Additionally, a transaction server 106 may be connected to
the network 102 for accepting on-line payment for user-requested
exercise services provided by server 105. Transaction server 106
may be configured to accept predetermined payment amounts from a
user based upon a plurality of predetermined video running times,
which can be selected by the user from a menu presented by the
website over the system 100. A transaction database storing
customer transaction information may be maintained and updated via
access of server 106 to mass storage unit 115. Moreover, a set of
business rules may be stored in the transaction server 106, the
business rules implementing customer loyalty programs, repeat
customer discounts, and the like.
[0019] Preferably, server 105 includes web server capability, and
may be based upon any of the well-known, readily available Internet
web server platforms, such as an Intel-compatible personal computer
running Microsoft's Windows XP.RTM. operating system, Mac.RTM. OS,
and/or any other type of web server running exemplary operating
systems such as LINUX, UNIX.RTM., or the like. To facilitate the
dynamic nature of the web pages served up according to the
inventive structures and methods described herein, an exemplary web
server may be configured to run PHP hypertext preprocessor (PHP)
server side scripting, or the Microsoft.RTM. Active Server Pages
server side scripting (ASP.net), or the like. While FIG. 1A
illustrates a single application server 105, web server and
application server software may be implemented in a distributed
processing environment across a plurality of hardware devices
capable of running the website software.
[0020] Utilizing web-enabled device 120, the user may direct his or
her web browser to the address or Universal Resource Locator
("URL") of server 105 to access web pages and forms, such as HTML,
XTML, Common Gateway Interface ("CGI"), JAVA, JAVASCRIPT, all of
which are well known within the art.
[0021] Server 105 provides the user with various drag and drop
options to create a customized exercise video by arranging a
variety of exercise video clips in a user-specified order of play.
The video clips may be in the form of any of many well-known
digital video formats, such as Moving Picture Experts Group
("MPEG"), Quick Time container file ("MOV") or Windows Media Video
("WMV"). The system provides means for downloading the
aforementioned files to a user device, such as a personal computer,
personal media player, ipod, MP3, or other multimedia playback
device.
[0022] User computing system 120 may be any web-enabled device,
such as, but not limited to, a personal computer (PC), a personal
digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, or the like. Preferably, the
user may view the website on the aforementioned devices and
download the video clips to a client application to be mixed with
music and re-encoded.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1B, the website provides a user interface
that includes user login screen 160. The user may gain access to
the features of the custom exercise video website by logging into
the system with a username and password entry on login web page
160. As shown in FIG. 2, after the website has validated the user's
name and password, the website presents an exercise selection web
page 200.
[0024] Exercise selection page 200 may display a list of image
hypertext links to multimedia clips describing a variety of
exercises, which the user may select. For example, if the
"shoulder" exercise is selected by the user, exercises 202a-202e
may be presented as a list of exercise names, which may be
accompanied by corresponding thumbnail images on exercise selection
page 200. The website provides a drag and drop feature, which
allows the user to drag any of the presented exercise names and/or
thumbnails shown across the exercise selection page 200 and drop
the selected exercise name and/or thumbnail to video clip
sequencing area 205.
[0025] While the exemplary order of play sequencing from start to
finish is shown in video clip sequencing area 205 in a top to
bottom manner, it is also contemplated that the order of play may
be displayed in a left to right manner, right to left manner,
clockwise manner, counterclockwise manner, or the like. The user
may drag and drop a desired number of video clips selectable from
the exercise group shown in clips 202a-202e from the exercise
selection page 200 into a desired order of play in the media clip
sequencing area 205 of the exercise selection page 200.
[0026] Moreover, the user may drag and drop a single clip any
desired number of times to create a user-determined number of sets
of that exercise. Additionally, the user may preview the customized
exercise video or media program he/she has just created. As shown
in FIG. 2, a user selected from video clips 202a-202e to create a
customized video sequence comprising, in sequential order, video
clip 202d, then video clip 202b, then video clip 202a.
[0027] The system 100 optionally may provide a media player 210 on
the web page, which may be displayed in preview-download screen
area 207. If provided, media player 210 allows the user to preview
and then download the customized video movie or media exercise
program. The media player 210 may have a play/pause button 211, a
reverse button 209a, and an advance button 209b.
[0028] The user may review and edit the customized program outlined
in the video clip sequencing area 205 by using a mouse or other
control to delete clips, add clips, or rearrange clip sequences in
the sequencing area 205. Once the user is satisfied with his/her
exercise media program, download button 213 may be activated to
initiate download of the program to the user's computing device 120
or a storage device for a media player.
[0029] The website 100 may also provide for downloading a client
resident computer program, applet, application, script, or the
like, which is capable of adding a user-selected music track to the
exercise video. The client application includes automated sound
mixing that fades the music down to a background level, thus
assuring that sections of the media program having verbal
instructions concerning the exercise routine being viewed are in
the foreground and clearly audible.
[0030] The website may be implemented in software, firmware or some
combination thereof. The programming language is not critical
because the required video clip sequences and playlist arrangements
can be processed using a variety of well-known languages, including
"C", Java, "C++", C sharp ("C#") Adobe.RTM. FLEX, ASP.net, or the
like. Soundtrack software for user development of a soundtrack
synchronized to the video clip sequences can be in the form of an
Apple.RTM. Itunes.RTM. interface, such as a Quicktime.RTM. API.
Additional music media interfaces that can synchronize WAV files,
MPG files, MID files, or the like are contemplated as being within
the scope of the invention.
[0031] The website implements a computerized method having steps
that include: providing a membership info page 160 to the user;
providing login username and password fields to allow the user to
sign into the exercise video website associated with membership
info page 160; providing username and password creation fields for
new users who do not have an existing username and password;
providing a transaction processor server 106 to allow users to
purchase exercise video running times in predetermined duration
amounts; presenting groups of exercises in the form of hypertext
mark-up language (HTML) links selectable by the user; and
displaying a plurality of exercise video clips based on a
user-selected HTML link that represents a particular exercise group
desired by the user.
[0032] For example, the left-hand side of exercise selection page
200 has a list of therapy exercise groups that the user may choose
from, including CERVICAL, SHOULDER, WRIST/HAND, BACK/LUMBAR SPINE,
HIP/KNEE, ANKLE/FOOT, CORE/TRUNK, and THERAPEUTIC BALL. When the
user chooses a specific body area from the list, e.g., SHOULDER, a
list of shoulder exercises available will appear in a drop down
menu 290. As the user "clicks" on an exercise in the drop down menu
290, a thumbnail of that exercise will appear on the right. As
shown in FIG. 2, the user has selected five shoulder exercises from
the drop down menu and the system software has placed their names
and corresponding thumbnail pictures 202a-202e to the right of the
menu 290. The system 100 provides a drag and drop feature that
allows the user to add a desired exercise to the video playlist in
screen area 205.
[0033] Providing user interface functions, such as drag and drop
and media player controls, allows the user to arrange play order of
the exercises in any manner, thereby creating a playlist of the
video clips (exemplary order of play being 202d then 202b then
202a). Optional provision of a media player allows the user to
preview his/her playlist of video clips. Providing an edit function
allows the user to add, delete, and rearrange the order of play of
the video clips comprising the exercise video movie. Providing a
download function allows the user to download the complete exercise
video to the user's computing device 120 or a storage medium for a
media player.
[0034] A client-side computer program may be provided to allow the
user to mix in a user-selected soundtrack. A client-side computer
program may also be provided to automatically adjust the music down
in portions of the audio or video having verbal instructions
relating to the exercise being viewed.
[0035] After the final touch of adding the music soundtrack, the
user created exercise program is ready for playback on the user's
device 120. Thus, the custom exercise video website and
computerized method steps described herein provide a more
personalized system and method, which arranges a plurality of the
video clips to produce a user-customizable exercise video.
[0036] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *