Exercise system

Abstract

Exercise system. In one example embodiment, an exercise system may include a sensing device, a portable control device, and a remote server. The sensing device may include a first sensor configured to detect exercise data of exercise performed by a user, a first data storage configured to store the exercise data, a first radio frequency (RF) wireless interface, and a first processor. The portable control device may include a second RF wireless interface, a second data storage, and a second processor. The remote server may include a third interface, a third data storage, and a third processor.

1 . An exercise system comprising:
 a sensing device including:
 a first sensor configured to detect exercise data of exercise performed by a user; 
 a first data storage configured to store the exercise data; 
 a first radio frequency (RF) wireless interface; and 
   a first processor configured to retrieve the exercise data from the first data storage and send the exercise data over the first RF wireless interface;   a portable control device including:
 a second RF wireless interface configured to receive the exercise data from the first RF wireless interface; 
 a second data storage; and 
 a second processor configured to store the exercise data in the second data storage, the second processor further configured to retrieve the exercise data from the second data storage and send the exercise data through the Internet; and 
   a remote server including:
 a third interface configured to receive the exercise data through the Internet from the portable control device; 
 a third data storage; and 
 a third processor configured to store the exercise data in the third data storage, the third processor further configured to analyze the exercise data and display an analysis of the exercise data on a website that is accessible to the user through the Internet. 
   
     
     
         2 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first RF wireless interface is configured to communicate using Bluetooth protocol; and   the second RF wireless interface is configured to communicate using Bluetooth protocol.   
     
     
         3 . The exercise system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the portable control device is a mobile telephone;   the mobile telephone further includes an integral electronic display configured to display the exercise data;   the integral electronic display is both an output device and a touch-sensitive input device that is configured to present one or more touch-sensitive buttons;   the mobile telephone further includes an accelerometer that is configured to detect acceleration data of the exercise performed by user and add the acceleration data to the exercise data that is stored in the second data storage; and   the second RF wireless interface is further configured to communicate the exercise data to the third interface of the remote server through the Internet using IP communication protocol.   
     
     
         4 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the exercise system further comprises a user module including a data storage module and an interface module;   the interface module is configured to communicate with the portable control device to receive the exercise data from the portable control device;   the data storage module is configured to store the exercise data; and   the interface module is further configured to send the exercise data through the Internet to the third interface of the remote server.   
     
     
         5 . The exercise system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the portable control device includes a universal serial bus (USB) port configured to allow uploading of the exercise data to the remote server through the user module.   
     
     
         6 . The exercise system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the exercise system further comprises a cradle that includes first electrical contacts;   the portable control device includes second electrical contacts configured to physically mate with the first electrical contacts of the cradle; and   the cradle is configured to allow uploading of the exercise data to the remote server through the user module.   
     
     
         7 . The exercise system of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the exercise system further comprises a cradle that includes a first infrared (IR) wireless interface;   the portable control device includes a second IR wireless interface configured to send the exercise data to the first IR wireless interface of the cradle; and   the cradle is configured to allow uploading of the exercise data to the remote server through the user module.   
     
     
         8 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the exercise performed by the user is a cycling exercise; and   the exercise system further comprises a second sensing device configured to be coupled to a cycle of the user, the second sensing device including:
 a second sensor configured to detect, simultaneously with the detecting performed by the first sensor, a cycle parameter of the cycle of the user during performance of the cycling exercise by the user; 
 a fourth data storage configured to store the cycle parameter; 
 a fourth radio frequency (RF) wireless interface; and 
 a fourth processor configured to retrieve the cycle parameter from the fourth data storage and send the cycle parameter over the fourth RF wireless interface to the second RF wireless of the portable control device; and 
   the second processor of the portable control device is configured to receive the cycle parameter at the second RF wireless interface and add the cycle parameter to the exercise data that is stored in the second data storage.   
     
     
         9 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the website is configured to enable the user to communicate word-based conversations directly to other users of other portable control devices in real-time via the website.   
     
     
         10 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the website is configured to enable the user to access and change information that was previously stored in the third data storage of the remote server.   
     
     
         11 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the website is configured to enable the user to generate login information and to enter the user-generated login information into the website.   
     
     
         12 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the website is configured to enable the user to interact directly with a human personal trainer via the website.   
     
     
         13 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the website is configured to enable the user to store and view a calendar of upcoming exercise sessions; and   the website is configured to enable the user to store and view fitness goals of the user.   
     
     
         14 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the portable control device further includes an integral electronic display that is configured to display the exercise data and that is configured to function as a virtual reality display.   
     
     
         15 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the portable control device further includes an integral electronic display configured to display the exercise data; and   the integral electronic display is both an output device and a touch-sensitive input device that is configured to present one or more touch-sensitive buttons.   
     
     
         16 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the portable control device further includes an audio input device including a microphone configured to gather audio inputs from the user using a voice activated controller.   
     
     
         17 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second processor is configured to retrieve the exercise data from the second data storage and send the exercise data over the second RF wireless interface.   
     
     
         18 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the portable control device further includes an integral speaker;   the portable control device further includes a microphone configured to gather audio inputs from the user using a voice activated controller; and   the second RF wireless interface of the portable control device is configured to send the gathered audio inputs over a radio frequency to other RF wireless interfaces of other portable control devices, and configured to receive audio outputs over the radio frequency from the other RF wireless interfaces and present the received audio outputs to the user on the integral speaker.   
     
     
         19 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the portable control device further includes an accelerometer that is configured to detect acceleration data of the exercise performed by the user and add the acceleration data to the exercise data that is stored in the second data storage.   
     
     
         20 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the third data storage of the remote server is configured to store an exercise program;   the third processor of the remote server is further configured to retrieve, from the third data storage, the exercise program and send, over the third interface and through the Internet, the exercise program to the portable control device; and   the portable control device is configured to use the exercise program to control a stationary exercise machine that is local to the portable control device.