GB2498870A

GB2498870A - Machine readable identification coded exercise equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2498870A
Application number: GB1301328.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Gareth Barham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-01-30
Filing date: 2013-01-25
Publication date: 2013-07-31
Also published as: GB201201556D0; GB201301328D0; GB201220399D0; WO2013114084A1

Abstract

A system for recording use of exercise equipment comprises an item of exercise or gym equipment 2 having a machine readable identification 1 such as a QR code or near field communication chip associated with the exercise equipment. A remote server stores information regarding potential use of the exercise equipment. A handheld device such as a smartphone or tablet computer 3 capable of reading the identification tags is connected to the server via a communications network. Upon reading the identification tags, the handheld device is directed to communicate with the remote server to initiate a user session and to display on the handheld device information regarding potential use for the associated exercise equipment. A user may also input data recording the user's use of the exercise into the handheld device and this data is stored in a second memory location either on the server or on an additional server.

Description

USE OF EXERCISE EOUIPMENT

This disclosure relates to the use of exercise equipment. In its several aspects a system for recording an exercise user's use of exercise equipment aid a method for recording a user's use of exercise equipment are disclosed.

A typical gymnasium will include an assortment of exercise equipment of different kinds. A user of the gymnasium may not be familiar with particular items of exercise equipment and with the exercises for which the equipment may be employed. This lack of familiarity may result in unsafe or inappropriate use of the equipment or inefficient exercising. Heretofore tackling these problems has necessitated the provision of illustrated guides for each piece of equipment, which may not be read and are easily misplaced or the hiring of personal trainers or gynmasium attendants to train users in the use of each piece of equipment. Additionally, users need to record how they have used particular pieces of equipment to monitor their progress with an exercise programme.

The system and method described in detail hereinbelow have arisen from our efforts to overcome these problems.

According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a system for recording an exercise user's use of exercise equipment comprises: an exercise equipment; a machine readable coded identification associated with the exercise equipment; a handheld device capable of reading the machine readable coded identification and of inputting and displaying data on the handheld device; a communications network to which the handheld device may be connected; a remote server coupled to the communications network, the server including a first memory storing information regarding potential use of the exercise equipment; the machine readable coded identification being adapted to direct a handheld device reading the machine readable coded identification to communicate with the remote server via the communications network to initiate a user session and to display on the said handheld device at least one of information stored in the first memory regarding potential use for the associated exercise equipment and information previously downloaded on to the handheld device from the first memory in a previous session regarding potential use for the associated exercise equipment; and a second memory for storing information relating to particular users, said second memory being included in one of said server, an additional server linked directly to said server, and an additional server linked to said server via the communications network, whereby a said user may input data recording the said user's use of the exercise equipment by at least one of selecting options displayed from the first memory and directly inputting alphanumerical data using the handheld device, the user's data so inputted being transmitted via the communications network for store in the second memoiy in at least one of real time during the user session and subsequently to the user session.

There may be a plurality of pieces of exercise equipment, each piece having a respective machine readable coded identification associated therewith. The machine readable coded identifications are suitably affixed to the associated pieces at a prominent position thereon, but may also be displayed alongside the piece, for example on a stand.

The machine readable coded identification may include at least one of a two-dimensional barcode, a Near Field Communication chip, and/or comprises an image recognisable by the handheld device that may be read employing augmented reality or image recognition technology.

The handheld device may be a smartphone or tablet computer, and the system may include a plurality of such handheld devices, each potential user of the pieces of exercise equipment having their own such device.

In a second and alternative aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a method for recording a user's use of exercise equipment, the method comprising the steps of: employing a handheld device to read a machine readable coded identification that is associated with an exercise equipment; the machine readable coded identification directing the handheld device to perform at least one of the steps comprising: (a) communicating with a server, via a communications network, to access a first memoiy stored on the server for display on said handheld device of data stored in said first memory relating to use of the exercise equipment and (b) retrieving from memory in the handheld device data for display on said handheld device relating to use of the exercise equipment, which data was previously retrieved from said first memory and stored in said memoiy in the handheld device; and initiating a user session on the exercise equipment during which the user is prompted to input data via the handheld device by at least one of selecting options displayed thereon from the first memory and by directly inputting alphanumerical data using the handheld device; data inputted by a user during a said user session being transmitted via the communications network in one of real time and subsequently for storage in second memory associated with the server or with a second server.

Embodiments of methods and systems for recoding a user's use of exercise equipment employing the teachings of this disclosure are described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. i schematically illustrates an embodiment of a system for recoding a user's use of exercise equipment; Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of exercise equipment with machine readable coded information displayed thereon; Figs. 3, 4 and 5 show examples of displayed data relating to use of the equipment of Fig. 2 that may be disp'ayed on a handhdd device; Fig. 6 shows another example of displayed data relating to a different piece of exercise equipment; Fig. 7 shows a display prompting input of data by a user relating to their personal use of the piece of exercise equipment; Fig. 8 shows a record for a particular user of their use of a plurality of pieces of exercise equipment; Fig. 9 shows a prompt for a particular user suggesting how they should use a particular piece of exercise equipment in the light of previous sessions on that equipment for that user; Fig. 10 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of a system for recoding a user's use of exercise equipment; and Fig. 11 schematically illustrates a third embodiment of a system for recoding a user's use of exercise equipment.

Referring first to Fig. 2, a machine readable encoded identification I is associated with each of a plurality of pieces of exercise equipment 2 in a gymnasium. The machine readable encoded identification preferably comprises a two-dimensional bar code, as illustrated here in Fig. 2: a QRTM code, Alternative examples of machine readable encoded identifications are exemplified in the embodiments of Figs. 10 and 11, as explained further below.

A number of two-dimensional barcode systems are commercially available, including those available under the respective Trademarks Data Matrix iM, Aztec iM, MaxiCodeTM, SemacodeTM, Microsoft TagTM, and, in particular, QRTM code. We prefer the use of QR codes for the reason that code reading application software capable of reading QR codes is incorporated into or readily freely available for the majority of currently available smartphones 3. Thus, by way of example: QR codes can be read by Google's mobile AndroidTM operating system via the Google GogglesTM application or via certain third-party barcode scanner applications; Nokia's SymbianTM operating system is provided with a barcode scanner, which is able to read QR codes; although Apple's operating system for its iPhoneTM smartphone does not include a QR code reader, QR Code reading apps can be freely downloaded for the iPhoneTM mobile phone; and BlackBerrytM devices include a scanner for QR codes. An example of a QR code I is shown affixed to exercise equipment 2 by means of an adhesive label 4. There are numerous ways in which a two-dimensional barcode may be associated with a piece of exercise equipment, including printing the two-dimensional barcode on to a label 4 that is then fixed to the asset as noted above, incorporating the two-dimensional barcode into the manufacturer's identification plate, by printing, etching or otherwise marking the two- dimensional barcode directly on to the equipment itself, or by displaying the two-dimensional barcode on a display stand alongside a piece of exercise equipment. In a preferred arrangement, label 4 is made from high density p&yethylene suitable for thermal overprinting and protective lamination. We have found that a base material weight of 75gsm, with a 5% tolerance gives good results.

By virtue of a handheld device, such as smartphone 3 shown here, incorporating software for reading a QR code I on Inbel 4 affixed to equipment 2, or being loaded with readily available applications software for doing this, smartphone 3 may serve as a code reader by exposing the smartphone's camera to the QR code I. The QR code I incorporates instructions which, when read cause the smartphone 3 to communicate with a specific URL lnamely that of a remote server 5 -See Fig. 1) over a communications network 6, suitably a global communications network such as the Internet. The technology to achieve this is readily available commercially since magazine advertisements increasingly include a QR code 1 that will link a reader with the advertiser's website when read by a smartphone. In this case, connection with server S will set up two-way web connected communications between the smartphone 3 and server 5.

A Near Fidd Communication chip associated with the exercise equipment 2 may be used as the machine readable encoded identification, as exemplified in the embodiment of Fig. 10.

There are many types of Near Field Communication chips commercially available.

These include but are not limited to radio-frequency identification chips (REID) and MJFARE'TM chips. We prefer the use of an REID chip 27; this can be embedded into a label 28 and then attached to the equipment 2 to make the machine readable coded identification. An RFID label 28 will contain both a data chip 28 along with an antenna 29 and in some cases also a battery to increase read range. Some REID labels 28 also offer anti-tamper features whereby the label 28 is made inoperable if removed from the equipment, for example by using different strength adhesive compounds that destroy the antenna 29 if the label is removed and possibly remove the chip 27 from the circuit.

These REID chips 27 may be read by a device which is enaHed for near field communication INFC). We prefer the use of an NFC enabled smartphone 3, for instance NEC functionality is included in the Androidtm' mobile operating system. A srnartphone 3 employing this operating system may be used for reading an RFID code on a label 28 affixed to the equipment. The REID code, when read, is effective to cause the smartphone 3 to communicate with a specific URL (namely that of a remote server 5) over a communications network 6, suitably a global communications network such as the Internet in a similar manner to the embodiment described above. The technology to achieve this is readily available commercially since near field technology is increasingly being used not only as a method of payment but also in advertising. Connection with the server 5, as described above, will set up a two-way web connected communication between the smartphone 3 and the serverS.

Instead of, or in addition to, using a two-dimensional barcode and/or a Near Eield Communication chip, the machine readable encoded identification may comprise an image recognisable by the handheld device that may be read employing augmented reality or image recognition technology, as exemplified in the embodiment of Fig. 11.

To use augmented reality technology the machine readable coded identification will include fiduciary markers which are recognisable by the handheld device. These fiduciary markers suitably comprise a picture of the equipment 31 itself. To achieve this, the handheld device must include a processor, display and a camera, but these will be present in most smartphones 3 and tablet computers. The fiduciary markers, when read, cause the smartphone 3 to communicate with a specific URL (namely that of a remote server 5) over a communications network 6. suitably a &obal communications network such as the Internet in a similar manner to the embodiments described above. As before connection with the server 5 will set up a two-way web connected communication between the smartphone 3 and server 5.

Augmented reality technology is employed with boxes of Lego TM bricks so that users can see the finished product to be built on their smartphone before they buy the product. It has also been used with brochures for CitroenT4' cars and IkeaT furniture to show additional features on a smartphone that are not visible in the catalogue itself. Thus, the technothgy to achieve the interaction, as an alternative envisaged by the present Applicant to that based on the two-dimensional barcode technology described above, is readily available commercially.

For each of these embodiments messages from first memory in server 5 are displayed on the display screen of smartphone 3, for example as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 for the exercise equipment 2 illustrated in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 shows a screen display with an indication at 7 of the musde groups which exercise equipment 2 is designed to exercise together with an indication at 8 of the specific exercise for which the equipment 2 is designed. Selecting that exercise by the user tapping their finger on the smartphone display where the exercise is displayed at 8 or selecting an "Exercises" button 9 on taskbar at the foot of the display directs the user to display of the screens of Figs. 4 and/or 5.

fig. 4 will display one or more still pictures and/or a video demonstrating how the equipment is used and how to perform the exercise. Fig. 5 describes in words the nature of the exercise and how the equipment should be used to perform that exercise.

The piece of exercise equipment 2 shown in Fig. 2 is a machine leg press designed for just one exercise, namely leg presses suitable for selection by a beginner. However, a particular piece of exercise equipment 2 may be capable of performing more than one exercise relating to differing muscle groups and with differing levels of difficulty, as illustrated by the display of Fig. 6. Here a single piece of equipment can be used to exercise biceps, as indicated at 11, and to exercise the chest, as indicated at 12. Only the biceps exercises are shown on the display. The user would need to scroll down to view the chest exercises. As shown, there are four different biceps exercises 13 for which this piece of equipment may be used, one at beginner level and three at inteimediate level, and the user may select which such exercise is of interest.

At any stage, selecting a "My Workouts" button 14 on taskbar 10 at the foot of the display takes the user to a personal screen as shown in Fig. 7, where they are prompted to input data to the display relating to their use of the equipment 2, here the level of weights against which they are working on the machine and the number of repeats 16 of the exercise. A check button 17 is selected when the set is complete. This particular screen also allows the user to select a rest time 18 between different sets of exercise using the equipment 2 and for an automatic timer 19, which may be linked to the smartphone's internal clock or to an internal clock at server 5, to perform the selected time-out with an audible alarm at the end. Additional sets of exercise may be selected at 20 until the user is all done with the exercise equipment and sdects button 21. The data entered is stored in second memory in server 5, or optionally, in a second and secure server 22 separate from server 5 to which it may be directly linked as shown in Fig. I or linked via the communications network 6. Because this data is all recorded in real time, it can also readily be uploaded to social networking sites such as FacebookTM or TwitterTM via link buttons 23 to allow the user to brag about their achievement on the exercise equipment.

In a typical gymnasium session, a user may perform a number of different exercises, and the records created for all of these may be stored in memory for the particular date (indicated as "Day 3" in Fig. 8) accessible via respective buttons 24 which also allow editing. The same programme of exercises is carried forward to a future day, unless it is a "Rest Day" as indicated at 25, thus allowing a programme of exercise to be set up.

When the user next initiates a session on a piece of exercise equipment for which their previous achievement is recorded in the memory, a prompt 26 such as that shown in Fig. 9 may be displayed for that piece of exercise equipment, as if a message from a personal trainer, encouraging a slightly more difficult version of the previously recorded exercise.

Numerous variations may be made in the details of a practical embodiment of the system described above, Thus, for example, instead of a single two-dimensional barcode 1 being associated with a single piece of equipment 2, and the different exercises feasible with that equipment displayed on the smartphone screen as shown in Fig. 6, there may be individual two-dimensional barcodes for each of the several exercises, all displayed on the equipment or on a display stand alongside it, and each linking to data concerned solely with the particular exercise.

It is not always necessary for communication to be in real time during a gymnasium session. Thus: information relating to a particular exercise equipment 2 may be stored in the smartphone 3 during a first gymnasium session for retrieval from the srnartphone memory when the srnartphone 3 reads the machine readable encoded identification in a later session. In addition, it may not always be possible for a srnartphone 3 to make a connection with the communications network 6 during a gymnasium session. In that event data relating to the user's achievement in a particular exercise may be stored in the smartphone 3 for subsequent transmission over the communications network 6 for storage in the second memory.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims I, A system for recording an exercise user's use of exercise equipment, comprising: an exercise equipment; a machine readable coded identification associated with the exercise equipment; a handheld device capable of reading the machine readable coded identification and of inputting and displaying data on the handheld device; a communications network to which the handheld device may be connected; a remote server coupled to the communications network, the server including a first memory storing information regarding potential use of the exercise equipment; the machine readable coded identification being adapted to direct a handheld device reading the machine readable coded identification to communicate with the remote server via the communications network to initiate a user session and to display on the said handheld device at least one of information stored in the first memory regarding potential use for the associated exercise equipment and information previously downloaded on to the handheld device from the first memory in a previous session regarding potentia' use for the associated exercise equipment; and a second memory for storing information relating to particular users, said second memory being included in one of said server, an additional server linked directly to said server, and an additional server linked to said server via the communications network, whereby a said user may input data recording the said user's use of the exercise equipment by at least one of selecting options displayed from the first memory and directly inputting alphanurnerical data using the handheld device, the user's data so inputted being transmitted via the communications network for store in the second rnemoiy in at least one of real time during the user session and subsequently to the user session.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A system according to Claim I. wherein there are a plurality of pieces of exercise equipment, each piece having a respective machine readable coded identification associated therewith.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A system according to Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the machine readable coded identification is affixed to the associated exercise equipment at a prominent position thereon.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the machine readable coded identification is displayed alnngside the exercise equipment.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A system according to any preceding Claim, wherein the machine readable coded identification includes at least one of a two-dimensional barcode, a Near Field Communication chip, and/or an image recognisable by the handheld device that may be read employing augmented reality or image recognition technology.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A system according to any preceding Claim, wherein the handheld device is a smartphone or tablet computer, and the system includes a plurality of such handheld devices associated with particular users.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A method for recording a user's use of exercise equipment, the method comprising the steps of: employing a handheld device to read a machine readable coded identification that is associated with an exercise equipment; the machine readable coded identification directing the handheld device to peiform at least one of the steps comprising: (a) communicating with a server, via a communications network, to access a first memory stored on the server for display on said handheld device of data stored in said first memory relating to use of the exercise equipment and (b) retrieving from memory in the handheld device data for display on said handhdd device relating to use of the exercise equipment, which data was previously retneved from said first memory and stored in said memory in the handheld device; and initiating a user session on the exercise equipment during which the user is prompted to input data via the handheld device by at least one of selecting options displayed thereon from the first memory and by directly inputting alphanumerical data using the handheld device; data inputted by a user during a said user session being transmitted via the communications network in one of real time and subsequently for storage in second memory associated with the server or with a second server.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A system for recording an exercise user's use of exercise equipment. the system being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A method for recording a user's use of exercise equipment, the method being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>