NFC Integrated Treadmill Module

Abstract

In general, the present invention relates to exercise devices and systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a treadmill exercise machine that embodies with an integrated Near Field Communication (NFC) device for receiving both the user preferences and user exercise plan from an NFC enabled Smartphone before starting the exercise, and transmitting the realized exercise information back to the same NFC enabled Smartphone after the exercise is performed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]A treadmill is a stationary device for making exercises such as walking and running They became a popular tool over time; include many features to enhance the exercise experience; and give detailed data on performed exercises. State of the art treadmills have an embedded screen to provide feedbacks to users such as exercise duration, covered distance, and calorie expenditure.[0002]NFC is a short-range wireless communication technology that is emerged a decade ago, but rapidly gained appreciation. NFC fulfills the need to provide short distance and implicit paired communication capability in Smartphones. The strength of NFC technology arises from its ease of use by triggering the communication just with a simple touch. In NFC communication, bringing two devices close starts the communication and separating them terminates the communication immediately. There exist three types of NFC devices, which can involve in NFC communication: Smartphone, NFC tag,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]People with different physical properties such as age and weight need to use such treadmills in different settings including speed, exercise period, treadmill deck inclination, workout plan, etc. Contemporary treadmills mostly include a computerized framework that includes buttons and similar items to manually apply such settings. In this way, a user can adjust the preferred settings before using the treadmill.

[0006]Setting user preferences in treadmill exercise machines is an important issue. Users apply different settings to the same treadmill before using it. Hence, settings of the same treadmill are changed over and over by different users. Similarly, a user needs to re-apply the same settings to the same treadmill again and again in different times. This scenario creates redundancy for adjusting the treadmill by the same user each time before the usage. Additionally, adjusting the settings of a treadmill is a boring process. An easy, fast, and user-friendly solution would be appreciated that automatically adjusts a treadmill exercise machine's settings based on user's preferences. Such a solution would help a user to adjust treadmill settings based on his / her preferences in an instant and enjoyable way. Our model aims the user to enter a long-term exercise plan to his / her Smartphone using an application on the Smartphone; the application decomposes the plan to daily exercise plans; and the daily plan is transferred to the treadmill just before using it. As the user puts the Smartphone to the provided slot of the treadmill, the daily plan together with the personal settings such as age and weight are transferred to the treadmill. The treadmill settings will be adjusted automatically without any other input from the user.

[0007]After user finishes his / her treadmill exercise, the performed values such as completed exercise period, running distance, calorie burned are transferred to user's Smartphone. The Smartphone application then deducts the performed exercise from the long-term exercise plan automatically. Users may even share the performed exercise in social networks, or show their friends, and even share with another Smartphone using a wireless communication such as NFC or Bluetooth. It is desirable to transmit the data from a treadmill exercise machine to a Smartphone in an easy to use and enjoyable fashion. Such a system may also highly motivate users on exercises.

Problems solved by technology

This methodology is actually somewhat cumbersome.

Setting user preferences in treadmill exercise machines is an important issue.

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