WO2007100862A2 - Exercise network system and device - Google Patents

Abstract

A networked exercise communication system, includes at least one user hub disposable in an exercise room, the exercise room being simultaneously usable by a plurality of user athletes, the user hub including a user interface; and a computer system operably, communicatively coupled to the user hub, the computer system including a data base, the data base having a selected exercise program identifiable with each of a plurality of user athletes. A method of a user operating a networked exercise communication system and a method of forming a networked exercise communication system, are further included.

Description

EXERCISE NETWORK SYSTEM AND DEVICE

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 60/777,335, filed February 28, 2006 and US Provisional Application No. 60/819,046, filed July 7, 2006, both of which are respectively included herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to exercise equipment. More particularly, this invention relates to a networked exercise communication device and system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION School athletics are an important part of the educational experience in the United States.

Nearly seven million students participate in athletics each year. Many fans enjoy watching the students participate in athletic events. A successful athletic program can increase school image, student enrollment, ticket sales, and alumni and parent donations. Therefore, schools generally like to do whatever they can to increase their chance of success in athletics. One way schools try to gain an advantage over their competition is to become more physically prepared. Physical preparation for athletics includes both conditioning on the court or playing field and conditioning in the exercise room. Physical preparation in the school exercise room generally consists of a combination of strength training and power training. Most schools have a coach whose part time job is to manage the strength and power training for their student athletes. However, with an average of four hundred athletes to train and only an average often hours per week to train them, there is little time to organize, supervise, instruct, and motivate athletes efficiently and effectively.

Ideally, strength and power coaches would like to spend their allotted ten hours per week coaching exercise technique, encouraging their athletes to improve, and designing sport-specific and individualized exercise programs. However, in reality, they generally spend a majority of their time entering test and training data into a computer, printing and replacing exercise cards, monitoring attendance, implementing exercise tests, producing performance reports, and researching sport-specific programs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The exercise communication system of the various embodiments of the present invention provides a network communication system that eliminates or minimizes the work generally associated with the time-consuming activities of strength and power coaches. This enables the coaches to use their time coaching exercise technique, encouraging their athletes to improve, and designing sport-specific and individualized exercise programs.

A feature and advantage of the exercise communication system of the various embodiments of the present is that the system is low cost, enables a number of athletes to use one communication station at one time, and is not confined to specific types of exercises or tied to specific exercise stations.

A further feature and advantage of the exercise communication system of the various embodiments of the present invention is that the network communication system can be designed to survive the environmental conditions found in a school exercise room. These environmental conditions of a school exercise room include athletes sweating and spilling on the devices and possible impacts from heavy steel weights. The system can comprise a liquid resistant user interface and can comprise a user interface that could withstand impacts of heavy steel weights or blows from frustrated athletes.

Another further feature and advantage of the exercise communication system of the various embodiments of the present invention is that the network communication system can account for the behavioral profile of its users. The behavioral profile of the user includes being easily distracted and in some cases hitting the equipment due to anger or frustration. The system can comprise a computer program that could keep athletes on task.

An additional further feature and advantage of the exercise communication system of the various embodiments of the present invention is that the network communication system can meet the limitations of the exercise room's electric and network infrastructure. A typical school exercise room does not have enough Ethernet ports or power outlets to accommodate more than one or two computers. However, twenty five to fifty athletes can be using the school exercise at one time. The system can only need one or two Ethernet and power outlets to be implemented.

A further feature and advantage of the exercise communication system of the various embodiments of the present invention is that the network communication system can serve a number of athletes at one time without taking up much space. Most school exercise rooms do not have a lot of extra space due to the size and number of the exercise stations needed to train their athletes and the size of the room.

A further feature and advantage of the exercise communication system of the various embodiments of the present invention is that the network communication system can be priced to meet the budget constraints of school athletic departments. Depending on the success of individual athletic programs, funds to implement an exercise room communication system may be limited. The system can be constructed with low cost components so that it is affordable for schools. A further feature and advantage of the exercise communication system of the various embodiments of the present invention is that the network communication system can be flexible with regard to the type of exercises it can prescribe and monitor. Each athletic conditioning program may have different exercises that are to be prescribed and monitored based on the type of sport and philosophy of training that has been adopted. An additional feature and advantage of the exercise communication system of the various embodiments of the present invention is that the exercise communication system can automatically (1) prescribe workouts, (2) record exercise performance, (3) record workout date and the time that an exercise is completed, (4) produce performance reports that can be sent to coaches/athletes, and (5) produce sport-specific workouts. The present invention is a networked exercise communication system, including at least one user hub disposable in an exercise room, the exercise room being simultaneously usable by a plurality of user athletes, the user hub including a user interface; and a computer system operably, communicatively coupled to the user hub, the computer system including a data base, the data base having a selected exercise program identifiable with each of a plurality of user athletes. The present invention is further a method of a user operating a networked exercise communication system and a method of forming a networked exercise communication system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an exercise communication system of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of an exercise communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an exercise communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein a controller is coupled to an exercise rack;

Fig. 4 is the exercise communication device controller of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a computer board of the exercise communication device controller of the exercise communication device of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a front perspective exploded view of an exercise communication device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the stand comprises a hand detector for heart rate; Fig. 7 is a front perspective exploded view of a base of the exercise communication device stand of the exercise communication device of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a rear perspective fragmentary view of a base of the exercise communication device stand of the exercise communication device of Fig. 2, depicting a port plate covering one network port;

Fig. 9 is a rear perspective fragmentary view of a base of the exercise communication device stand of the exercise communication device of Fig. 2, depicting a port plate covering two network ports;

Fig. 10 is a rear perspective fragmentary view of a base of the exercise communication device stand of the exercise communication device of Fig. 2, depicting a port plate covering three network ports;

Fig. 11 is a flowchart for the exercise communication system, wherein two-dimensional objects with greater than four sides represent menus, objects with solid borders represent user entry logic, and objects with broken borders represent exercise communication system logic; Fig. 12 is a schematic view of an exercise communication system of the present invention, depicting a series of five user hubs daisy chained for both power and communication;

Fig. 13 is a schematic view of an exercise communication system of the present invention, depicting a series of four user hubs daisy chained for power; and

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of an exercise communication system of the present invention, depicting a series of four user hubs having wireless communication and remote power sources;

Fig. 15 is a front perspective view of an exercise communication device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, depicting first and second controllers in a first configuration; Fig. 16 is the exercise communication device of Fig. 15, depicting the first and second controllers in a second configuration; and

Fig. 17 is a close-up perspective view of a coupling mechanism of the exercise communication of Figs. 15 and 16;

Fig. 18 is a schematic of a communication overview; and Fig. 19 is a schematic of communications links with exemplary users of the communications of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to Fig. 1, the exercise communication system 10 generally comprises a user hub or exercise communication system device 12 comprising a networked computer or controller 14 and stand 16, and a computer system 18 operably connected to the networked computer or controller 14. Computer system 18 can comprise a telnet or HTTP-based Internet server application 19 (e.g., DS2® Server Application available from P.A. Interactive, LLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota), a data base 20, a web browser 22, or a specially designed web-based score board 24. The user hub or exercise communication system device 12 and computer 14 can be operably linked to the Internet server application 19, data base 20, web browser 22, or specially designed web-based score board 24 wirelessly or through a network communication cable. The computer system 18 can be at or in electronic communication with a datacenter (described below with reference to Figs. 18 and 19) at an offsite location. Referring to Fig. 2, as stated, the user hub or exercise communication system device 12 can comprise a networked computer or controller 14, such as a DS2® Computer available from P.A. Interactive, LLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and can be mounted on a stand-alone exercise room friendly computer stand 16. The user hub or exercise communication system device 12 can generally comprise a small footprint and thus the exercise communication system device 12 can be able to serve a number of athletes at one time without taking up a lot of space in an exercise or weight room.

Referring to Fig. 3, in other embodiments, the controller 14 can be mounted on a multi rack 16', such as the Multi Rack EZTrak Station™ available from P. A. Interactive, LLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the controller 14 can be mounted on other various pieces of exercise and strength training equipment, such as, for example, a squat rack, bench press bench, universal weight system, jump trainer, treadmill, stair master, elliptical machine, and an exercise bicycle. The controller 14 can be mounted on a treadmill sled such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,575,879 to Harney et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The controller 14 can also be mounted on an agility platform such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 10/752,296 entitled "Automated Physical Training System," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The controller 14 can also be mounted on a wall, table, desk, counter or other structure within or proximate an exercise or weight room. In other embodiments, the controller 14 is a hand-held unit and not coupled to a stand or other equipment. In such an embodiment, the controller 14 can be taken home or otherwise off-site for use.

Referring to Fig. 4, the controller 14 generally comprises a front panel 20, which can comprise a display 22 and a key pad 24. The controller 14 also comprises a rear 26 generally opposed the front panel 20, a top 28, a generally opposed bottom 30, and a pair of generally opposed sides 32, 34. Although the controller 14 is depicted as having a generally linear three- dimensional shape, those skilled in the art will recognize that the controller 14 can be curvilinear three-dimensional shape, such as a sphere, or any other geometric three-dimensional shape. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other functional structures can be included on the controller 14, such as, for example, a speaker, microphone, speaker port, microphone port.

The bottom 30, top 28, and/or sides 32, 34 can comprise a serial port 36 that can be used for operably coupling monitoring equipment, such as, for example, a heart rate monitor or a pedometer data download. Referring to Fig. 5, the controller 14 also generally comprises a computer board 18, such as a DS2® Computer Board available from P. A. Interactive, LLC,

Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The controller can comprise, for example, a liquid resistant user interface and an interface that can withstand impacts of heavy steel weights or blows from frustrated athletes. These features can also be included for the controller 14 to survive the environmental conditions found in a school exercise room. Such environmental conditions include athletes sweating and spilling on the devices.

Referring to Fig. 5, computer board 38 is depicted. Computer board 38 can generally comprise an electrical power supply input 40, a processor 42, a key pad connector 44, a display connector 46, a sensor connector 48, a buzzer 50, a serial connector 52, a heart rate detector port 54 to operably connect to a hand detector for heart rate hand sensor 66 that can be included on the stand (Fig. 6), a heart rate - telemetry 56, and a network communications port 58. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other components can be included on the computer board 38 depending on the various features included on the exercise communication system device 12. The computer board 38 is generally contained within the controller and protected from the environmental conditions found in a school exercise room, such as athletes sweating on the devices, spilling on the devices, and potential impacts from heavy steel weights. Other features and functions that can be included in the controller 14 are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 10/210,507, entitled "Automated Physical Training System," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Referring again to Fig. 2, an exercise room friendly computer stand 16 is depicted. Stand 16 generally comprises a stand post or support beam 60, a base 62, and a computer or controller protector 64. Referring to Fig. 6, in another embodiment, stand 16 can also comprise a hand sensor or detector 66 for monitoring a user's heart rate.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 6-8, the post 60 of the stand 16 generally comprises a front 68, a generally opposed rear 70, and a pair of generally opposed sides 72, 74. Although the post 60 of the stand 16 is depicted as having a generally square cross-section, those skilled in the art will recognize that the cross-section of the post 60 of the stand 16 can be circular, rectangular, or any other geometric shape. Referring to Fig. 7, the front 68, rear 70, and/or one or both of the sides 72, 74 can comprise a serial communication port 76 for operably coupling the controller via the stand to a body weight scale or a standing height scale (not depicted). The base 62 of the stand 16 can comprise a cap 78 that can be threaded, a washer (e.g., rubber washer) SO, a plate 82 (such as a weight room plate, e.g., one or more of a 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 35, 45, or 90-pound plate), a rod 84 that can be threaded, a collar 86, and a base plate 88. The base 62 can include an amount of weight and width, such that the user hub 12 can comprise stability to inhibit the user hub from tipping or falling when exposed to the environmental conditions generally present in an exercise or weight room. Referring to Fig. 8, the front 68, rear 70, and/or one or both of the sides 72, 74 of the stand support beam 70 can comprise a digital communication switch 90 to enable daisy chaining devices, a plate 92 to block unused ports (inhibits unauthorized access), a power strip 94 having multiple outlets 96 to daisy chain electrical power, a power strip ON/OFF switch 100, and a power cord 102. As depicted in Figs. 8-10, the exercise communication system device 12 can also comprise a first network communication cable 104 operably coupled to the controller 14 and a communication port 106 at the rear of the post. A second network communication cable 108 operably coupled to the stand 16 can be operably coupled on the other end to a network port on a wall or directly to the computer system 18. The first and second network communication cables 104, 106 enable connecting the controller to the network port on a wall or directly to the computer system 18 via the stand. This configuration can also enable daisy chaining two or more devices 12.

Referring to Figs. 8-10, the stand support beam can also comprise a port cover plate to block unused ports (inhibit unauthorized access). Cover plate can be configured to block one (92), two (92¹), three (92"), or more unused communication ports 106.

Referring to Figs. 15 and 16, a user hub or exercise communication system device 12' according to a third embodiment is depicted. The user hub 12' generally comprises a first networked computer or controller 14', a second networked computer or controller 14", and a stand 16'. The stand can comprise one or more a computer or controller protectors 64'. While depicted as being generally vertically oriented, the protectors 64' can alternatively be oriented in a different direction, such as horizontal or at an angle relative to the stand 16'. Protectors 64' can also serve as a handle for moving or rotating the user hub 12'.

Referring to Fig. 16, the first and second controllers 14', 14" can be operably coupled to the stand 16 with a coupling mechanism 124. The first controller 14' can be operably coupled to the stand 16 with a static or fixed arm portion 126 of the coupling mechanism 124. The second controller 14" can be operably coupled to the stand 16 with an adjustable arm portion 128 of the coupling mechanism 124. Referring to Fig. 17, the adjustable arm portion 128 can include a plurality of posts 130 and a plurality of slots 132. The posts 130 and slots 132 are usable to enable the second controller 14" to be selectively swiveled, rotated, or otherwise moved on the stand 16 with the adjustable arm portion 128. In addition, the controllers 14', 14" can be mounted at respective ends of the arms 126, 128 with a hinge or pivot mechanism enabling for the adjustment of the controllers' 14', 14" angles upwardly and downwardly.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that in further embodiments, more than two controllers can be operably coupled to the stand 16. For example, three, four, five, or any number of multiple controllers can be operably coupled to the stand 16. In addition, those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative coupling mechanisms can be used to operably couple the first and second controllers, 14', 14" can be operably coupled to the stand 16. Moreover, while the first controller 14' is depicted as being operably coupled to the stand 16 with a static arm 126 and the second controller is depicted as being operably coupled to the stand 16' with an adjustable arm 128, both controllers 14', 14" can be fixed and/or adjustably coupled to the stand 16' with the coupling mechanism 124.

In other embodiments, the controllers 14', 14" can be mounted on a multi rack, such as the Multi Rack EZTrak Station™ available from P.A. Interactive, LLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the controllers 14', 14" can be mounted on other various pieces of exercise and strength training equipment, such as, for example, a squat rack, bench press bench, universal weight system, jump trainer, treadmill, stair master, elliptical machine, and an exercise bicycle. The controllers 14', 14" can be mounted on a treadmill sled such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,575,879 to Harney et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The controllers 14', 14" can also be mounted on an agility platform such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 10/752,296 entitled "Automated Physical Training System," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The controllers 14', 14" can also be mounted on a wall, table, desk, counter, or other structure within or proximate an exercise or weight room. The controllers 14', 14" can also be mounted on any combinations of the above devices (muiti rack, such as the Multi Rack EZTrak Station™, squat rack, bench press bench, universal weight system, jump trainer, treadmill, stair master, elliptical machine, exercise bicycle, treadmill sled, agility platform, wall, table, desk, counter or other structure within or proximate an exercise or weight room).

By including more than one controller on each user hub, space can be saved in a workout room or facility. For example, in a workout room with limited floor space, a user hub having multiple controllers can be positioned at a selected position in the room. More than one person can be using the user hub at any given time (user 1 at a first controller, user 2 at a second controller, and so on). Also, because one or more of the controllers can be adjustably coupled to the stand, the controllers can be adjusted for easy access regardless of the position within the workout facility. Referring to Fig. 1 1 , a flowchart of operation of the system, device, and system firmware is depicted. While generally depicted and described in a numerical order, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain functions can be bypassed or certain functions can be added to or eliminated from the flowchart without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. At (I)₅ a simple screen on the display of the controller depicts the name of the product

(e.g., the DS2® brand logo) and any advertisement messages.

At (2), the user list on the display of the controller depicts a list of "slots" that are available for logging on to the system. There can be any number of slots available per station (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 . . . x). Any available slot that has not been logged into will be indicated as available to the user. Any slot occupied by a logged-in user will indicate that user's personal and workout information. Users wishing to log in can select an available slot and then begin the login process.

At (3), the "login" screen on the display of the controller asks for unique user login information, such as a phone number combined with a personal identification number. If the user declines to enter the asked for data, the result of (3) is considered "no." Otherwise, the result is "yes."

At (5), the exercise communication system communicates with the computer datacenter to validate the user's login information.

At (6), the display of the controller displays various menu items, such a "logout" option [item 13], an "enter result" option [item 9], and a "list activities" option [item 7], with an escape option available to the user to take no further action. If the user has not selected any exercise [item 8], the "enter result" option [item 9] will not be available.

At (7), the exercise communication system controller communicates with the datacenter to determine which activities are currently prescribed for the user, but not yet completed. At (8), the user can cancel an activity selection and return to the user list [item 6] or choose to begin a specific activity [item 12 - Get (Next) Set].

At (9), exercise communication system controller collects the variables of the user's activity and prepares the variable for submission to the datacenter. At (10), the exercise communication system controller gathers data from peripheral devices such as a heart rate monitor, pedometer, etc. and prepares the data for submission to the datacenter

At (11), the user identification data, variables of the user's activity, and data from peripheral devices are sent to the datacenter.

At (12), the variables of the next set of the selected activity are retrieved from the datacenter and are presented to the user.

At (13), after the user logs out of the system, the user's data is cleared from the user hub 12, thus making the station slot available to a new user. The exercise communication system 10 of the various embodiments of the present invention can eliminate or minimize the work generally associated with the time-consuming activities of strength and power coaches. This enables strength and power coaches to use their time coaching exercise technique, encouraging their athletes to improve, and designing sport- specific and individualized exercise programs. As stated, each of the components of the exercise communication system 10, such as the user hub 12, the controller 14, the stand 16, and the computer system 18 can be designed to survive the environmental conditions found in a school exercise rooms. These environmental conditions of a school exercise room include athletes sweating on the devices and possible impacts from heavy steel weights. In addition, the network communication system can account for the behavioral profile of its users. The behavioral profile of the user includes the user being easily distracted and in some cases hitting the user hub 12, the controller 14, or the stand 16 due to anger or frustration.

An exercise room might not have enough Ethernet ports or power outlets to accommodate more than one or two computers. However, 25 to 50 athletes can be using the school exercise are at one time. Each of the athletes can log into one or more hubs at a time.

Figures 12-14 depict examples of how devices can be used in an exercise room having only one

Ethernet ports and/or power outlet.

Referring to Fig. 12, a series of two or more user hubs 12 can be daisy chained for both power and communication. A first user hub 12 is operably coupled to an Ethernet port 1 10 and power outlet 1 12 with cables 114 and 116, respectively. The second through fifth user hubs (12',

12", 12'", 12"") can be daisy chained for both communication and power using additional

Ethernet and power cables (122, 122', 122", 122'"), (120, 120', 120", 120'").

Referring to Fig. 13, a series of two or more user hubs 12 can be daisy chained for power while communication is provided wirelessly. A first user hub 12 is operably coupled to a power outlet 1 12 with cables 1 14. A wireless hub is operably coupled to the Ethernet port 110 and each of the user hubs comprises wireless communication capability. The second through fourth user hubs 12', 12", 12'" can be daisy chained for power using additional power cables 120, 120', 120'".

Referring to Fig. 14, a series of two or more user hubs 12 can comprise internal power sources, such as batteries, while communication is provided wirelessly. A wireless hub is operably coupled to the Ethernet port 1 10 and each of the user hubs 12', 12", 12'", 12"" comprises wireless communication capability.

In the embodiments in which the controller 14 coupled to a piece of exercise or strength training equipment, the controller can be used to control and/or monitor the exercise or strength training equipment, such as the controller disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 10/210,507, entitled "Automated Physical Training System," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In these embodiments, the controller 14 can monitor the user's activity, collect the variables of the user's activity, and prepare the variable for submission to the datacenter. This can eliminate any need for the user to manually enter the variables into the controller during and/or after the activity. Referring to Figs. 18 and 19, the EZtrakfitness.com website is accessible via any device that has a web browser. This includes many cell phones, desktop and laptop computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). These devices communicate with the site via the internet and the HTTP/TCP/IP protocol.

(B). The EZtrak Station may also communicate with the internet via HTTP/TCP/IP or a simple Telnet-Based protocol that we nickname LWP (Lightweight Protocol). LWP/TCP/IP is made an option because it is less verbose than HTTP. HTTP is supported to make the system compatible with networks that require content filtering and HTTP Proxy servers.

(C). The datacenter is also compatible with the DS2 JumpTrainer, JumpTrainer II, and future DS2/EZtrak fitness products all of which will support communication via HTTP or LWP. (D). "The internet" refers to any TCP/IP or IPv6 network, including private internets or

"Intranets". All devices that have Ethernet Connections or "WiFi" connectivity via a wireless access point or Bluetooth gateway are potentially supportable for Intranets and the internet. Some cell phones may not be supportable on Intranets unless the intranet server has a public forwarded internet IP. (E). Forwarding Server: The first stop when data reaches our datacenter the forwarding server collects the HTTP or LWP request and forwards it to what it believes is the least-busiest Web Server on the network. It takes into account the relative power of all the web servers and the number of connections already being forwarded to each particular server and chooses the least-busiest accordingly. It also inspects server responses for critical errors and flags malfunctioning servers as such, removing them from the balance, and then retrying the request on a different server. Using this scheme, when servers go up and down, the end-user experience may not be affected.

(F) The web server processes HTTP and LWP requests. Most HTTP responses will be in the form of HTML documents. But static files may also be streamed as responses, as well as dynamically generated Stylesheets, JavaScript, GIF, JPEG, plan-text, XML, PNG, or other files. It employs a simple proprietary scripting language to process HTML templates and merge them with dynamic data from various sources including XML documents or from a database or database broker. It also performs last-minute HTML processing, effectively interpreting and regenerating HTML to better match standards of various devices. For example, devices that do not support PNG files will receive GIF files instead. Devices with small screens will see all graphics automatically reduced in size to create a better experience. For some versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer the server will substitute JavaScript in the place of images to allow 8-bit alpha transparency to be properly displayed.

(G) Query Broker: The query broker interprets and separates a SQL statement into its components to allow the distribution of a database across multiple generic databases. It employs the use of a database dictionary to pinpoint the locations of various tables on the network and queries each table individually via the Storage Engine Server (H) instead of sending the entire query straight to the SQL server. It also allows a single table to be spread out amongst multiple, potentially hundreds, of SQL servers. The end result is a database with virtually unlimited scalability options. It will be slightly slower when databases are small and traffic is low but will not be limited in performance when load is high. It supports standard SQL statements, including SELECT, UPDATE, INSERT queries, Joined tables and summary queries via count( ), avg( ), max( ), min( ), sum( ). In order to accomplish its task in an efficient manner, the query is first examined to find and resolve all fields from all tables that would be required to execute the query. A list of field dependencies is built and then resolved against the database dictionary to determine the tables. Then the filter conditions are split from being a collective filter condition into a filter condition that can be applied to each individual table. To accomplish this, for each table the field dependencies in the collective filter are resolved against the dictionary, if a field is in a foreign table, it is erased from the filter along with all adjacent operators and parents until a "hard" operator is found. Hard operators include the "and" and "in" keywords. In this example if a filter condition is "where (tl.id=l) or (t2.id=l)" the system will initially have to query all of tl or t2 because records from tl could potentially be needed in the result (depending on the value of t2.id).

On the other hand, given the following expression: "where (tl .id=l) and (t2.id=l)", the filter (tl .id=l) may be applied to the first query because "and" is a "hard" operator. In order to accomplish queries with joined tables, the broker must plan and optimize the order in which tables are queried. To do this a system of metrics was developed. The table with the lowest metric score at the end of the calculation is queried first. The database dictionary will periodically update a stored record count for all the tables in the database. This is used as a starting point for the metric score. A table with 1 million records will have a metric score of 1 million. The score is then affected by various tests.

1. If the query applies an absolute filter condition ("WHERE field=x" or field in(x,y,z)) that targets the table, the score is divided by a configurable integer.

2. If the query applies a relative condition ("WHERE field<x or field>x") then the score is divided by a configurable integer (generally less than #1 above).

3. If the table is joined to a table that has already been queried, and the results of that query can be applied to narrow down the size of the result of the current table, the score is divided by a configurable integer.

Tables with summary functions are always processed after the other table results are in. The join fields are added to the group by clause of the subquery then the returned grouped values are regrouped at the end of processing. Avg() is translated initially to return countO and sum() then is reevaluated during final processing of the rowset. After each table is queried, the rowsets from each host are merged together, applicable filters are applied to queries for tables joined and all metrics are recalculated omitting already queried tables. . The merged rowsets are then joined together in accordance with the join statements.

Summary functions are then evaluated and rolled up, count() results are summed, sum() results are summed, and min() and max() are compared. Avg generates dependencies for countO and sum() and then is evaluated as sum()/count(). All this is done in accordance with the original GROUP BY statement. Finally the single resulting joined rowset is converted to the final rowset by evaluating the original expressions requested from the original query using the joined and grouped rowset returned after identifying the query's field dependencies.

(H). Storage Engine Server - The storage engine server serves a very simple primary puφose. It implements the "GetRows" remote procedure call for a SINGLE database instance. There will be one Storage Engine Server for each database instance on the network. GetRows() queries a SINGLE table using a list of fields, and a set of filter, order, and group specifications which are ALL local to the single table. This makes it very easy to implement for a variety of databases and makes it generally compatible with any SQL database on the market (as they generally don't vary from the SQL standard on single-table, unjoined queries). Similarly it also implements Begin Transaction, Commit, Rollback, UpdateRows and InsertRows for single tables. There are no plans to support multi-table inserts and updates. The storage engine server could potentially spawn variants that are non SQL storage engines. For example it could be connected to proprietary or 3rd-party storage engines such as (InnoDB) directly.

(I). Database - Current implementations use MYSQL 5.0. as the underlying database. Feature requirements of the database are very limited by the Storage Engine server and therefore it would be very easy to use any number of simple databases, storage engines, or develop a proprietary storage engine in the future.

The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. In addition, although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A networked exercise communication system, comprising: at least one user hub disposable in an exercise room, the exercise room being simultaneously usable by a plurality of user athletes, the user hub including a user interface; and a computer system operably, communicatively coupled to the user hub, the computer system including a data base, the data base having a selected exercise program identifiable with each of a plurality of user athletes.

2. The networked exercise communication system of claim 1, the user hub being communicatively couplable to sensors, the sensors for sensing selected data on the performance and physical characteristics of a certain user athlete.

3. The networked exercise communication system of claim 2, sensor data provided to the user hub being identified with a selected user athlete and being communicated to the data base for storage therein.

4. The networked exercise communication system of claim 1, the user hub providing for a plurality of user athletes sequentially having access to the selected exercise program identifiable with the user athlete presently accessing the user interface during a common exercise period.

5. The networked exercise communication system of claim 1, the user hub including a controller, the controller having a keypad and a visual display.

6. The networked exercise communication system of claim 1, the user hub being alternatively hand held or coupled to a stand or directly to exercise equipment.

7. The networked exercise communication system of claim 1, the user hub stand being weighted proximate a bottom portion of a stand structure to provide the ability to withstand forces imparted to the stand structure.

8. The networked exercise communication system of claim 5, the user hub controller including a computer board.

9. The networked exercise communication system of claim 8, the user hub controller computer board being a DS2 Computer Board.

10. The networked exercise communication system of claim 8, the user hub controller computer board comprising one or more components selected from a list consisting of an electric power supply, a processor, a key pad connector, a display connector, a sensor connector, an audible alert, a serial connector, a heart rate detector port, a heart rate telemetry, and a network communications port.

1 1. The networked exercise communication system of claim 1, the user hub being selectively handheld or operably coupled to a stand or to exercise equipment.

12. The networked exercise communication system of claim 1, the at least one user hub being operably communicatively coupled to an Ethernet port and operably coupled to a power source.

13. The networked exercise communication system of claim 1, further including a plurality of user hubs.

14. The networked exercise communication system of claim 13, a first user hub being operably communicatively coupled to an Ethernet port by a cable and operably coupled to a power source by a cable, the remainder if the plurality of user hubs being daisy chained for both communications and power by cables.

15. The networked exercise communication system of claim 13, a first user hub being wirelessly operably communicatively coupled to an Ethernet port and operably coupled to a power source by a cable, the remainder if the plurality of user hubs being daisy chained for wireless communications and for power by cables.

16. A method of a user operating a networked exercise communication system, comprising: selecting a slot depicted on a user display; responsive to the selection, a data center displaying a first set of a menu of activities specific to the user on the display; entering a result of activities performed by the user; and sending a report of the results torn the data center.

17. The method of claim 16 including collecting user specific data from peripherals and sending the data to the datacenter.

18. The method of claim 17 including retrieving a next set of the menu of activities for the datacenter and presenting the set on the user display.

19. A method of forming a networked exercise communication system, comprising: disposing at least one user hub in an exercise room, the exercise room being simultaneously usable by a plurality of user athletes, and providing the user hub with a user interface; and operably, communicatively coupling a computer system to the user hub, including a data base in the computer system, and providing a selected exercise program identifiable with each of a plurality of user athletes in the data base.

20. The method of claim 19, including selecting components for a the user hub controller computer board from a list consisting of an electric power supply, a processor, a key pad connector, a display connector, a sensor connector, an audible alert, a serial connector, a heart rate detector port, a heart rate telemetry, and a network communications port.