U.S. patent application number 14/067805 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-15 for system and method for an interactive exercise routine.
The applicant listed for this patent is ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.. Invention is credited to Scott R. Watterson.
Application Number | 20140135173 14/067805 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50682262 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140135173 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watterson; Scott R. |
May 15, 2014 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN INTERACTIVE EXERCISE ROUTINE
Abstract
A workout system includes one or more exercise machines with
adjustable difficulty settings. A wireless tracking device measures
workout difficulty parameter values of a participant's workout and
communicates the difficulty parameter values to the one or more
exercise machines. The difficulty settings of the one or more
exercise machines are adjusted based on the difficulty parameter
values.
Inventors: |
Watterson; Scott R.; (Logan,
UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ICON Health & Fitness, Inc. |
Logan |
UT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50682262 |
Appl. No.: |
14/067805 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61720880 |
Oct 31, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/0658 20130101;
A63B 2225/20 20130101; A63B 2220/12 20130101; A63B 2220/40
20130101; A63B 22/0023 20130101; A63B 22/0235 20130101; A63B
2071/0625 20130101; A63B 2071/0638 20130101; A63B 2220/05 20130101;
A63B 2024/0093 20130101; A63B 2220/18 20130101; A63B 71/0622
20130101; A63B 24/0084 20130101; A63B 2220/30 20130101; A63B
24/0087 20130101; A63B 2225/105 20130101; A63B 22/0605 20130101;
A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 22/0076 20130101; A63B 2220/806
20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/8 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00 |
Claims
1. A workout system, comprising: one or more exercise machines with
adjustable difficulty settings; and a wireless tracking device
operative to: measure workout difficulty parameter values of a
participant's workout; and communicate the difficulty parameter
values to the one or more exercise machines, wherein the difficulty
settings of the one or more exercise machines are adjusted based on
the difficulty parameter values.
2. The workout system of claim 1, the difficulty parameter values
comprising at least one setting based on speed, incline,
resistance, gear selection, and cadence.
3. The workout system of claim 1, the exercise machine comprising a
treadmill, elliptical machine, stationary bicycle, and a rowing
machine.
4. The workout system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device
includes a GPS.
5. The workout system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device
includes at least one accelerometer.
6. The workout system of claim 1, further comprising at least one
display device associated with the one or more exercise
machines.
7. The workout system of claim 6, further comprising a camera
system wearable by the participant and operative to transmit images
to the at least one display device.
8. The workout system of claim 6, a display device mounted on each
of the one or more exercise machines.
9. The workout system of claim 6, wherein the at least one display
device is operative to display the difficulty parameter values.
10. A multi-participant workout system, comprising: a plurality of
exercise machines each with adjustable difficulty settings and
including a display device; a wireless tracking device operative to
measure workout difficulty parameter values of a participant's
workout and operative to communicate the difficulty parameter
values to the plurality of exercise machines, wherein the wireless
tracking device includes GPS; a camera system wearable by the
participant and operative to transmit images to the display
devices; and wherein the difficulty settings of the exercise
machines are adjusted based on the difficulty parameter values.
11. The workout system of claim 10, wherein the difficulty
parameters are selected from the group consisting of speed,
incline, resistance, gear selection, and cadence.
12. The workout system of claim 10, wherein the exercise machine is
selected from the group consisting of a treadmill, elliptical
machine, stationary bicycle, and a rowing machine.
13. The workout system of claim 10, wherein the tracking device
includes at least one accelerometer.
14. A multi-participant workout method, comprising: providing a
plurality of interconnected exercise machines each with adjustable
difficulty settings; designating a pacing participant and at least
one following participant among a plurality of participants using
the plurality of exercise machines; tracking performance parameters
of the pacing participant; and adjusting the difficulty settings of
the at least one following participants' exercise machines based on
the performance parameters of the pacing participant.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the pacing participant is
designated based on the lowest performance participant.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the pacing participant is
designated based on the highest performance participant.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the performance parameters are
selected from the group consisting of speed, incline, resistance,
gear selection, and cadence.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the exercise machines are
selected from the group consisting of a treadmill, elliptical
machine, stationary bicycle, and a rowing machine.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one exercise machine
includes a display device and further comprising displaying the
performance parameters of the pacing participant.
20. The method of claim 19, the at least one exercise machine
further comprising a camera, a microphone, and a speaker.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
application 61/720,880 filed on Oct. 31, 2012.
FIELD
[0002] The present application relates to an exercise workout
system and method. More specifically, the present system and
methods detail a workout system that links multiple participants in
a workout scenario that provides motivation and competition.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many people have difficulty maintaining the motivation
necessary to exercise on a regular basis. This may be especially
true for individual sports such as running, cycling, rowing, and
elliptical training; even more so when the activity is performed on
an exercise machine such as a treadmill. Many exercise facilities
attempt to distract runners from the monotony of running in place
by providing entertainment in the form of televisions with audio
outputs connected to each treadmill. Many runners use music devices
to entertain themselves while exercising. Accordingly, people using
exercise machines tend to keep to themselves as they listen to
their own music or a television program. Thus, even when surrounded
by other people at the gym, using an exercise machine is often a
solitary endeavor.
[0004] Attempts to make using exercise machines more interesting
include tracking performance statistics for users. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 8,088,044, issued to Tchao, et al. and assigned to
Nike, Inc., provides an immediate, visual type of feedback to
provide motivation for regular exercise. According to the '044
patent, experienced athletes and trainers have found that feedback
provides many people with motivation to maintain a regular exercise
program. When a person can directly experience the results provided
by an exercise program, that person typically will be encouraged to
continue exercising. Although this is a slight improvement over the
standard speed and time data available on most exercise machines,
the '044 patent does not address the monotony of a solitary
workout.
[0005] One aspect of traditional exercise machines that contributes
to the monotony of stationary exercise is the lack of a realistic
or meaningful terrain profile. Traditional treadmills, for example,
have a simple speed and incline setting that is usually static or
follows an artificial preprogrammed profile. This issue is
addressed by U.S. Pat. No. 8,029,415, issued to Ashby, et al. and
assigned to ICON IP, Inc., by providing a system for simulating
real world terrain on an exercise machine. The system is able to
control one or more operating parameters of an exercise machine to
simulate terrain found at a remote, real world location. The system
includes images/videos of the remote, real world location. The
images/videos can be synchronized with the exercise machine so that
a user of the exercise machine is able to experience, via the
changing operating parameters, the topographical characteristics of
the remote, real world location as well as see images of the
location.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one aspect of the disclosure a workout system includes
one or more exercise machines with adjustable difficulty settings.
A wireless tracking device measures workout difficulty parameter
values of a remote participant's workout and communicates the
difficulty parameter values to the one or more exercise machines.
The difficulty settings of the one or more exercise machines are
adjusted based on the difficulty parameter values.
[0007] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features, and may further include the
difficulty parameters including speed, incline, resistance, gear
selection, and cadence.
[0008] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features, and may further include the
exercise machine being a treadmill, elliptical machine, stationary
bicycle, and a rowing machine.
[0009] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features, and may further include the
tracking device in the form of a GPS.
[0010] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features, and may further include the
tracking device in the form of at least one accelerometer.
[0011] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features and may further include at least
one display device associated with the one or more exercise
machines.
[0012] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features and may further include a remote
camera system wearable by the remote participant and operative to
transmit images to the at least one display device.
[0013] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features and may further include a display
device mounted on each of the one or more exercise machines.
[0014] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features, and may further include each
display device being operative to display the difficulty parameter
values.
[0015] In one aspect of the disclosure a multi-participant workout
system includes a group of exercise machines each with adjustable
difficulty settings and including a display device. A wireless
tracking device measures workout difficulty parameter values of a
remote participant's workout and communicates the difficulty
parameter values to the group of exercise machines, where the
wireless tracking device may include GPS. A remote camera system is
wearable by the remote participant and transmits images to the
display devices. The difficulty settings of the exercise machines
are adjusted based on the difficulty parameter values.
[0016] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features, and may further include the
difficulty parameters being speed, incline, resistance, gear
selection, and cadence.
[0017] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features, and may further include the
exercise machine being a treadmill, elliptical machine, stationary
bicycle, and a rowing machine.
[0018] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features, and may further include the
tracking device in the form of at least one accelerometer.
[0019] In one aspect of the disclosure a multi-participant workout
method includes providing a group of interconnected exercise
machines each with adjustable difficulty settings; designating a
pacing participant and at least one following participant among a
group of participants using the group of exercise machines;
tracking performance parameters of the pacing participant; and
adjusting the difficulty settings of the following participants'
exercise machines based on the performance parameters of the pacing
participant.
[0020] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features, and may further include the pacing
participant being designated based on the lowest performance
participant.
[0021] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features, and may further include the pacing
participant being designated based on the highest performance
participant.
[0022] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features, and may further include the
performance parameters being selected from the group consisting of
speed, incline, resistance, gear selection, and cadence.
[0023] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features, where the exercise machines may be
selected from the group consisting of a treadmill, elliptical
machine, stationary bicycle, and a rowing machine.
[0024] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features, where each exercise machine may
include a display device and further comprising displaying the
performance parameters of the pacing participant.
[0025] Another aspect of the disclosure may include any combination
of the above mentioned features, where each exercise machine may
include a camera.
[0026] These and other aspects of the disclosed technology and its
various embodiments will be apparent after consideration of the
Detailed Description and Figures herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of
the present system and method and are a part of the specification.
The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present
system and method and do not limit the scope thereof.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a workout system according to one
embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a workout system according to one
embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a workout system according to one
embodiment; and
[0031] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a workstation
consistent with the technology of the present application.
[0032] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers
designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] Embodiments of the present system and method are described
more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which
form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific
embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail
to enable those skilled in the art to practice the system and
method. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different
forms and should not be construed as being limited to the
embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description
is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0034] The disclosed workout system provides an interactive group
activity. Thus, the workout system allows a workout activity to be
social. This social aspect of the workout system promotes
competition, teamwork and thereby motivates the participants to not
only show up and participate, but also to push themselves to beat
their fellow participants and/or exceed their own previous
performance benchmarks.
[0035] FIG. 1 represents a basic workout system according to an
embodiment. In this case, system 10 includes an exercise machine,
which in this case is a treadmill 20. Although the embodiments
disclosed herein are discussed in the context of a treadmill, other
exercise machines may be used such as, for example and without
limitation, a treadmill, elliptical machine, stationary bicycle,
rowing machine, and other exercise equipment. Workout system 10 may
include multiple exercise machines, located either together or in
separate remote locations that are all interconnected via their
corresponding network connections. Treadmill 20 is interconnected
to a network 12 via a wireless transceiver 32. Communication from
the treadmill 20 is received by a receiver antenna 16, thereby
connecting the treadmill to a server 14.
[0036] Treadmill 20 includes a base platform 22 having a tread 24.
Tread 24 rotates about rollers and travels at a selected speed
indicated by arrow "S". The platform may be raised and lowered as
indicated by arrow "I," indicating incline. The speed and incline
of the treadmill represent variable difficulty parameters, or
operating parameters, which may be adjusted depending on the
desired level of workout difficulty. Accordingly, the exercise
machine includes adjustable difficulty settings corresponding to
the difficulty parameters.
[0037] In this case, the exercise machine being a treadmill, the
variable adjustable difficulty settings are speed and incline;
however, for other exercise machines, the variables may be
different. For example, difficulty parameters may include speed,
incline, resistance, gear selection, and cadence depending on the
exercise machine. The difficulty settings may be adjusted from
either the control panel 26 or remotely from server 14 via the
wireless transceiver 32. Adjustment of the exercise machine
difficulty settings may be accomplished as described in U.S. Pat.
No. 8,029,415, which describes a system for simulating real world
terrain on an exercise device, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0038] In this embodiment, treadmill 20 includes a control panel 26
which houses a display device 28. Display device 28 is operable to
display images, operating parameters, difficulty parameters,
performance statistics, and the like. Treadmill 20 also includes
communication devices for two-way communication between multiple
exercise machines. For example, treadmill 20 includes a camera 30,
a speaker 37, and a microphone 33. Accordingly, video and audio
communications may be transmitted between multiple exercise
machines either locally or in remote locations.
[0039] As mentioned with respect to workout system 10, multiple
exercise machines may be interconnected via network 12. For
example, with reference to FIG. 2, a workout system 110 according
to an embodiment is illustrated. In this case, workout system 110
includes a group of treadmills 20 being used by multiple
participants (1-4). As can be appreciated in the figure,
participants 1-4 are co-located in a gym and the treadmills 20 are
interconnected via network 12. Workout system 110 also includes a
wireless tracking device 40, which is attached to a remote
participant 5. The wireless tracking device 40 is operative to
measure the workout difficulty parameter values of the remote
participant's workout. The wireless tracking device may include a
GPS and various accelerometers, which are capable of tracking the
distance, speed, and incline of the remote participant's workout
over time. For example, as shown in the figure, remote participant
5 is running downhill over terrain 7. Accordingly, as the wireless
tracking device 40 measures the workout difficulty parameter
values, it is also capable of transmitting those values via network
12 to each of the treadmills 20. Accordingly, the difficulty
settings for each treadmill may be adjusted in real time for speed
and inclination, which matches that of the remote participant's
workout. Thus, the participants 1-4 are tracking a realistic
terrain profile.
[0040] Wireless tracking device 40 may be attached to the remote
participant 5 with a harness 42. Also, the harness and tracking
device may support a remote camera system 50 for transmitting
workout images back to the co-located participants 1-4 (as well as
other remote participants). Remote camera system 50 includes camera
52 and a mounting arm 54. In this case, camera 52 is directed
towards the remote participant 5 thereby providing face-to-face
video communication with the remote participants 1-4. Also, other
cameras may be mounted to the remote participant 5, such as a
helmet camera or other remote camera location. For example, camera
52 may be activated when remote participant 5 wishes to address the
group of participants 1-4. Alternatively, a helmet mounted camera,
may be active the rest of the time to show the trail along which
the participant is running or riding. Again, although this
embodiment of the workout system discloses a runner with associated
treadmills, another scenario might include a mountain biker
interconnected with a group of stationary bicycles, each of which
is adjusted for speed, gear selection, and incline based on the
mountain biker's actual terrain profile.
[0041] In this case remote participant 5 is equipped with a
microphone 44, which is operative to provide audio communication
via network 12 back to the participants 1-4. The audio and video
communication originating from remote participant 5 may be
displayed to each participant 1-4 via the display 28 and speaker 37
disposed on each treadmill 20. Alternatively, a common display
device 34 associated with the exercise machines may be provided in
a co-located venue such as the gym. Display device 34 may be
associated with speakers 36, all of which provide a common view of
the remote participant's workout. In this case, display device 34
is a flat-screen television and includes an image that represents
video from the remote participant 5. As indicated, the display
device 34 and speakers 36 may send and receive data through the
wireless transceiver 32. However, other connection means may be
used as well.
[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates a multi-participant workout system 210
according to an embodiment. Multi-participant workout system 210
includes a group of treadmills 20, each of which is used by a
participant 201-204. As with the embodiments described above, each
treadmill 20 is interconnected via its wireless transceiver 32 and
connected via network 12 to a server 14. In this embodiment, a
pacing participant is designated from among the participants
201-204, and the remaining participants are designated as following
participants. In one case, the lowest-performing participant may be
selected as the pacing participant. For example, participant 201 is
slower than the remaining participants 202-204 and is designated as
the pacing participant. Accordingly, the speed and inclination of
each treadmill corresponding to participants 202-204 is adjusted
according to the workout difficulty settings of pacing
participant's 201 treadmill By linking all of the participants'
difficulty settings, the workout system provides a social aspect to
the workout, which encourages motivation. In another case, the
pacing participant is designated based on the highest-performing
participant. This scenario provides motivation for the slower
participants to keep up with the faster ones.
[0043] The determination of the lowest- and highest-performing
participants may be based on historical data from previous
workouts, which is stored on server 14. As an alternative, a
pre-workout or qualifying period may be designated in which each
participant sets their own pace from which the workout system
chooses the pacing participant based on performance criteria, such
as the lowest- or highest-performance.
[0044] Although each treadmill and participant are shown in a
co-located arrangement in FIG. 3, other remote participants may
also be interconnected via network 12 and may communicate with the
other participants via their camera 30 and display device 28 and
may also communicate via speaker 37 and microphone 33 for each of
their treadmills 20.
[0045] Also contemplated herein is a multi-participant workout
method. The method includes providing a group of interconnected
exercise machines, each with adjustable difficulty settings. A
pacing participant and following participants are designated among
a group of participants using the exercise machines. Performance
parameters are tracked for the pacing participant and the
difficulty settings for the following participants' exercise
machines are adjusted based on the performance parameters. In an
embodiment, the pacing participant is designated based on the
lowest-performance participant. In another embodiment, the pacing
participant is designated based on the highest-performance
participant.
[0046] The workout system may keep track of challenges and
achievements. Examples of achievements and challenges tracked by
the system include: [0047] Event: Run the Boston marathon; ride all
of this year's Tour De France routes. [0048] Store: Buy a product;
post a product link; share a product; recommend a product; have a
friend buy a product. [0049] Pace: 7 min mile; faster than a rhino;
10 paced based runs. [0050] Competition: Beat 3 friends; king of
the hill; fastest hill; fastest marathon in my town; top 10;
dethrone 3 people; get 20 kills; compete with 5 friends; beat
previous best. [0051] Calories: Burn 10,000 calories; burn 300
calories in a run; 10 calorie based runs; no fast food for a week.
[0052] Weight: Lose 5 lbs.; keep the weight off for 1 month. [0053]
Equipment: Own all cardio types; log 100 miles on a tread; buy new
equipment; Mayor of a club machine (most time/weight/distance) on a
machine. [0054] Diligence: Run 5 days in a week; 20 times a month;
run over 1 mile for consecutive 5 runs; run every Monday in a
month; become fit enough for marathon. [0055] Elevation: Climb 3000
ft; climb 1000 ft in 10 min; climb Mt. Everest; go up and down 2000
ft; climb the Alps; climb the Eiffel tower. [0056] Time: Run 100
hrs; run 10 hrs in a week; ride 6 hrs; run one month straight;
night runner; early bird runner; 10 time based runs. [0057]
Seasonal: Run on New Years; Christmas fat burner. [0058] Geography:
Run specific locations; collect states; collect countries; collect
continents; Cross the great divide; Mayor of a route; run past 3
bodies of water; cross a border; cross 20 streets; run through 3
cities; run past the zoo; run past the capital; national park
badge; run in 5 different states; run in highly populated area; run
in sparsely populated area; run in desert; run in mountains; run on
dirt road; run same route 10 times; run 10 different routes; run 5
training events; run entire program; run multiple programs at the
same time; save 10 maps. [0059] Social: Invite 3 friends to run;
workout with other people at the same time; ride with a group;
share 5 runs; run a popular route; run at the same time as a
friend; match a friend's schedule for a month; share schedule with
friend; run a shared run; 3 people ran your route; vote 10 times;
ran with team; tweet 10 runs; post 10 runs on Facebook. [0060]
Other: workout on treadmill and cycle in same week; 10 free runs;
run without music; run with music; run with voice prompts; run with
goals; check status multiple times in run; skip a lot of songs;
re-run 5 runs; change password 3 times; change weight 3 times;
change height; change birthday; forget password 3 times; delete 10
runs.
[0061] Achievements are tracked by logging user actions and
publishing them to a private list. Items on the list may be
granular to allow for many achievement types. Some items may be
derived from others. For example, if the user went to a club or not
may be derived from the workout. The list will include: [0062] User
buys something [0063] User logs in [0064] User workouts out, points
to the workout log [0065] Each workout will provide its available
summary and metrics to be acted on [0066] User joins a group [0067]
User creates/joins/completes a competition [0068] User
creates/accepts/rejects/completes a challenge [0069] User posts a
comment [0070] User follows a user [0071] User is followed by a
user [0072] User gets an achievement [0073] User adds equipment
(treadmill, shoes, watch) [0074] User invites someone [0075] User
reads an article [0076] User sends a message [0077] User posts a
public message [0078] User creates a workout [0079] User creates a
route [0080] User creates a segment [0081] User completes a segment
[0082] User schedules a workout [0083] User "likes" an item [0084]
User logs a food/workout/sleep/weight
[0085] Challenges may have the following characteristics: [0086]
Challenges can be created by anyone [0087] Challenges can have a
reward split between winners [0088] Challenges can have a point
reward--100 more points for every user that joins [0089] Challenges
can have a money reward--Everyone pays $5 into the pool [0090]
Challenges can link to a charity--A dollar for every mile [0091]
Members of a public challenge can invite others to a challenge
[0092] Creator of a challenge can make it invite only [0093]
Challenges can be workout based (map, custom, routine) [0094]
Challenges can be metric based (first to 100 miles, 10 lbs lost,
etc) [0095] Challenges can be limited to groups (people over 200
lbs, point level, achievement level) [0096] Challenges can have a
time frame [0097] Challenges can have a specific start time [0098]
Challenges can be limited to groups (two teams run the Ragnar)
[0099] Challenges can be multiple workouts, first one to do these
20 workouts [0100] Quest challenge. Invite a friend to earn a badge
with you [0101] Team shares map with another team and they race
each other [0102] Challenges can be who lasts the longest (outrun a
bear/zombie hoard) [0103] Challenges should all have points, but
system (not user) assigned point values
[0104] The system may also track workouts as follows: [0105] A
workout can be rated (1-5 stars, most ran, most likes) [0106] A
workout can have a review [0107] A workout can have multiple people
do it [0108] A user can do a workout multiple times [0109] A user
can compare any two sessions of that workout (their own or others)
[0110] A user can share a workout with others [0111] A user can
challenge other users to a workout (the workout basically becomes a
private challenge) [0112] A workout can have geo tagged items
(leave a picture) [0113] A workout and a workout session can have a
review/comment section [0114] Algorithm to help find a training
route which matches more closely another route [0115] Alerts or
notifications if people run your route [0116] Achievements if other
people are running your route [0117] Advertiser sponsor a route,
e.g., "run to our store for X % off."
[0118] Segments may include the following characteristics: [0119]
Any geo based workout (indoor or outdoor) is searched for matching
segments when uploaded [0120] Segments are auto created for big
hills [0121] Segments can he created by each user [0122] A segment
will show the leader board for that segment [0123] A user can
compare any two workouts on that segment (their own or others)
[0124] A user can view their history on that segment [0125] A
segment can be a slice of a full workout, but not a partial segment
[0126] A user can get an achievement by being the leader on a
segment
[0127] Information, including the various achievement metrics,
challenges, workouts and segments, may be stored on server 14 for
each participant. The information may be recorded as a participant
uses an exercise machine. Information may be input from the control
panel 26 of a treadmill 20. In addition, the system may have a web
interface for inputting information and reviewing individual
participant statistics.
[0128] Referring now to FIG. 4, a functional block diagram of a
typical workstation 500 for the technology of the present
application is provided. Workstation 500 may be any of the above
described personal computing devices, servers, or the like. The
workstation 500 is shown as a single, contained unit, such as, for
example, a desktop, laptop, tablet, handheld, smart phone, personal
digital assistant, or mobile processor, but the workstation 500 may
comprise portions that are remote and connectable via a network
connection such as via a LAN, a WAN, a WLAN, a WiFi Network,
Internet, or the like. Generally, the workstation 500 includes a
processor 502, a system memory 504, and a system bus 506. The
system bus 506, which may follow any conventional protocol such as,
for example, PCI or PCI-express, couples the various system
components and allows data and control signals to be exchanged
between the components. The system memory 504 generally comprises
both a random access memory (RAM) 508 and a read only memory (ROM)
510. The ROM 510 generally stores a basic operating information
system such as a basic input/output system (BIOS) 512. The RAM 508
often contains the basic operating system (OS) 514, application
software 516 and 518, and data 520. The system memory 504
(non-transitory computer readable medium) contains the code for
executing the functions and processing the data as described herein
to allow the present technology of the present application to
function as described. The workstation 500 generally includes one
or more of a hard disk drive 522 (which also includes flash drives,
solid state drives, etc. as well as other volatile and non-volatile
memory configurations), a magnetic disk drive 524, or an optical
disk drive 526. The drives are connected to the bus 506 via a hard
disk drive interface 528, a magnetic disk drive interface 530 and
an optical disk drive interface 532. Application modules and data
may be stored on a disk, such as, for example, a hard disk
installed in the hard disk drive (not shown). The workstation 500
has network connection 534 to connect to a local area network
(LAN), a wireless network, an Ethernet, the Internet, or the like,
as well as one or more serial port interfaces 536 to connect to
peripherals, such as a mouse, keyboard, microphone, touch screen,
light pen, modem, or printer. The workstation 500 also may have USB
ports or wireless components not shown. Workstation 500 typically
has a display or monitor 538 connected to bus 506 through an
appropriate interface, such as a video adapter 540. Monitor 538 may
be used as an input mechanism using a touch screen, a light pen, or
the like. On reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art
will recognize that many of the components discussed as separate
units may be combined into one unit and an individual unit may be
split into several different units. Further, the various functions
could be contained in one personal computer or spread over several
networked personal computers and/or devices. The identified
components may be upgraded and replaced as associated technology
improves and advances are made in computing technology.
[0129] Those of skill would further appreciate that the various
illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps
described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may
be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or
combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability
of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks,
modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in
terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is
implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular
application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.
Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in
varying ways for each particular application, but such
implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a
departure from the scope of the present invention. The above
identified components and modules may be superseded by new
technologies as advancements to computer technology continue.
[0130] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and
circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed
herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose
processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application
Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array
(FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or
transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination
thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A
general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the
alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,
controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also
be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a group of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0131] In general, the workout system provides a social interactive
exercise program in which multiple participants can participate in
competitions or pacing events. In addition, the participants may
have two-way communication, both video and audio, to communicate
with each other as a group or on an individual basis by selecting
individual users with which the participant wishes to communicate.
In one aspect of the technology, a remote participant outfitted
with a wireless tracking device and remote camera system may lead
the group through real terrain, such as a trail or hike. The
tracking device is operative to measure the remote participant's
workout difficulty parameters and adjust the group's treadmill
operating parameters to match that of the remote participant's
workout. The participant's workout is thus more motivating and
realistic and less monotonous than a pre-programmed or static
workout program. Multiple participants may be interconnected via a
wireless network, including web, Internet, cell phone, etc. Each
treadmill or exercise machine may be equipped with a display
device, camera, speaker and microphone which provide for two-way
communication, both audio and video. Accordingly, a remote
participant could be a group leader, such as a workout coach, or
even a celebrity athlete who could lead an entire group of remotely
located participants on a real-time basis.
[0132] In another aspect of the technology, the workout system
provides a social exercise activity which is paced by either the
fastest or the slowest person in the group, thereby promoting
camaraderie, motivation, teamwork, and a support structure. The
workout system in this case may first establish the pacing
participant by measuring their performance parameters during a
selected qualifying period or may be designated based on historical
data from previous workouts.
[0133] Accordingly, the workout system and methods have been
described with some degree of particularity directed to the
embodiments. It should be appreciated, however, that the present
invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of
the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the
embodiments without departing from the inventive concepts contained
herein.
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