Non-strenuous under furniture exercise device

Abstract

An under-furniture exercise device is presented that provides a non-strenuous workout that allows user to concentrate on day-to-day tasks. The exercise device interacts with computer software operating on a general purpose computer in order to provide an incentive for users to continue their exercise. The software receives data signals from the exercise device that allows the software to determine whether the exercise has fallen below a certain threshold. If so, the software issues a command to entertainment software or driver software that controls a device external to the computer. The command causes the entertainment software to alter its performance so that the alteration would be noticed by the user, and causes the driver software to change the operation of the external device in a similar manner. Multiple devices can be networked together for central monitoring, which can be used by health insurance providers to provide incentives to exercise.

1 . A exercise system comprising: 
 a) an item of furniture having 
 i) a generally horizontal work surface, and  
 ii) at least one support that keeps the work surface above a ground surface;  
   b) an exercise device located underneath the work surface and having 
 i) data gathering electronics that gather exercise data, and  
 ii) a data link through which data signals containing the exercise data are transmitted from the exercise device;  
   c) a general purpose computer resting on the work surface, connected to the data link, and having 
 i) a general purpose operating system capable of operating a plurality of application programs;  
 ii) a control and analysis software program that receives the data signals from the data link and that transmits a command via the general purpose operating system, the command being sent only when the data signals indicate that a level of exercise currently being performed on the exercise device does not meet a minimal level;  
 iii) a second program that receives the command and changes its functioning in response to the command.  
   
   
   
       2 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the second program is an audio application program that creates an audible sound, and in which the changed functioning relates to the audible sound.  
   
   
       3 . The exercise system of  claim 2 , wherein the audible sound is music, and in which the changed functioning is to discontinue the playing of the music.  
   
   
       4 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the second program is a visual application program that creates a visual image on a display controlled by the general purpose computer, and in which the changed functioning relates to the visual image display.  
   
   
       5 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the second program is a driver program that controls a device external to the general purpose computer, and wherein the changed functioning is to alter the operation of the external device.  
   
   
       6 . The exercise system of  claim 5 , wherein the external device is a remote controlled electrical outlet, and wherein the changed functioning is to turn off the outlet.  
   
   
       7 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein after the command is sent, the control and analysis software senses when the level of exercise meets a restarting level, after which a second command is sent to the second program that reverses the change in functioning.  
   
   
       8 . The exercise system of  claim 7 , wherein the minimal level and the restarting level are the same.  
   
   
       9 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the control and analysis software sends a control signal over the data link to the exercise device in order to change the operation of the exercise device.  
   
   
       10 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device is chosen from the set including an elliptical machine, a bicycle-type machine, a skiing-type machine, and a leg-extension machine.  
   
   
       11 . The exercise system of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device is a leg exercise device having a vertical range of motion of less than 4.5 inches.  
   
   
       12 . An exercise system comprising: 
 a) an exercise device having 
 i) an outer housing;  
 ii) an electrically controlled resistance mechanism that determines a resistance level for the exercise device,  
 iii) data gathering electronics that gather exercise data, and  
 iv) a data link passing through the outer housing through which data signals containing the exercise data are transmitted from the exercise device and through which control signals that alter the resistance control mechanism are received by the exercise device; and  
   b) a general purpose computer external to the outer housing of the exercise device having 
 i) a general purpose operating system capable of operating a plurality of application programs;  
 ii) a word processing productivity software program operating on the general purpose operating system and that provides word processing capabilities;  
 iii) a control and analysis software program operating on the general purpose operating system, that 
 (1) receives the data signals from the data link,  
 (2) receives input relating to the resistance of the exercise device through a user input,  
 (3) sends control signals to the exercise device through the data link to control the resistance of the resistance mechanism, and  
 (4) transmits a command via the general purpose operating system, the command being sent only when the data signals indicate that a level of exercise currently being performed on the exercise device does not meet a minimal level;  
 
 iv) an entertainment control program operating on the general purpose operating system that 
 (1) controls an entertainment related output that is perceptible outside the general purpose computer, and  
 (2) receives the command and changes its functioning in response to the command, wherein the change in functioning changes the entertainment related output.  
 
   
   
   
       13 . An exercise system for workers in a workplace comprising: 
 a) a plurality of desks used by the workers;    b) an exercise device under each desk, the exercise device having 
 i) data gathering electronics that gather exercise data, and  
 ii) a data link through which data signals containing the exercise data are transmitted from the exercise device;  
   c) a general purpose computer on each desk that is connected to the data link, each general purpose computer having 
 i) a general purpose operating system capable of operating a plurality of application programs,  
 ii) a control and analysis software program that 
 (1) receives the exercise device from the data link in real time,  
 (2) controls the functioning of a second software program operating on the general purpose computer based upon the exercise data, and  
 (3) creates exercise summary data based upon the exercise data;  
 
   d) a computer network linking together each of the general purpose computers; and    e) a central analysis computer different than the general purpose computers and linked to the computer network, the central analysis computer receiving exercise summary data from each general purpose computer over the computer network.    
   
   
       14 . The exercise system of  claim 13 , wherein the central analysis computer is operated for the benefit of a healthcare insurance provider, and wherein the exercise summary data is used to determine whether a financial incentive has been earned that effectively reduces the cost of providing health insurance for workers using the exercise devices.