Patents by Inventor Eric S. Watterson

Eric S. Watterson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220280857
    Abstract: Generating a video workout program. In one aspect of the disclosure, a method may include capturing a first video that includes a depiction of a trainer performing a workout, combining the depiction of the trainer in the first video with a second video that moves through an environment to form a combined video in which the trainer appears to move through the environment; and encoding exercise machine control commands into a subtitle stream of the combined video to create the video workout program, execution of the video workout program on a first exercise machine configured to display the combined video and continually control one or more moveable members of the first exercise machine according to the exercise machine control commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventor: Eric S. Watterson
  • Patent number: 11426633
    Abstract: Controlling an exercise machine using a video workout program. In one aspect of the disclosure, a method may include capturing a video, encoding exercise machine control commands into a subtitle stream of the video to create the video workout program, decoding the subtitle stream of the video to access the exercise machine control commands, periodically determining at least that an actual heart rate zone of a user is not equal to a current programmed heart rate zone and that the actual heart rate of the user is not trending toward the current programmed heart rate zone by at least a threshold heart rate trend rate, and in response adaptively scaling the video workout program by adjusting a current difficulty level upward or downward depending on if the actual heart rate zone is lower or higher than the current programmed heart rate zone, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: iFIT Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Watterson, Chase Brammer, Christian Hathaway, Rebecca Lynn Capell
  • Patent number: 11338175
    Abstract: Stationary exercise machine. In one aspect of the disclosure, a stationary exercise machine may include one or more moveable members configured to be moved by a user, an actuator configured to selectively adjust the speed of, or the amount of resistance on, the one or more moveable members, and one or more processors. The one or more processors may be configured to receive a video, execute the video set to a first difficulty level, receive a second difficulty level, and execute the video reset to the second difficulty level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: iFIT
    Inventors: Eric S. Watterson, Chase Brammer, Christian Hathaway, Rebecca Lynn Capell
  • Publication number: 20220080265
    Abstract: Stationary exercise machine. In one aspect of the disclosure, a stationary exercise machine may include one or more moveable members configured to be moved by a user, an actuator configured to selectively adjust the speed of, or the amount of resistance on, the one or more moveable members, and one or more processors. The one or more processors may be configured to receive a video, execute the video set to a first difficulty level, receive a second difficulty level, and execute the video reset to the second difficulty level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Watterson, Chase Brammer, Christian Hathaway, Rebecca Lynn Capell
  • Publication number: 20210213332
    Abstract: Stationary exercise machine. In one aspect of the disclosure, a stationary exercise machine may include one or more moveable members configured to be moved by a user, an actuator configured to selectively adjust the speed of, or the amount of resistance on, the one or more moveable members, and one or more processors. The one or more processors may be configured to receive a video workout program, execute the video workout program set to a first difficulty level, receive a second difficulty level, and execute the video workout program reset to the second difficulty level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Eric S. Watterson, Chase Brammer, Christian Hathaway, Rebecca Lynn Capell
  • Patent number: 11058918
    Abstract: Stationary exercise machine. In one aspect of the disclosure, a stationary exercise machine may include one or more moveable members configured to be moved by a user, an actuator configured to selectively adjust the speed of, or the amount of resistance on, the one or more moveable members, and one or more processors. The one or more processors may be configured to receive a video workout program, execute the video workout program set to a first difficulty level, receive a second difficulty level, and execute the video workout program reset to the second difficulty level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: ICON HEALTH & FITNESS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric S. Watterson, Chase Brammer, Christian Hathaway, Rebecca Lynn Capell
  • Patent number: 11033777
    Abstract: Stationary exercise machine. In one aspect of the disclosure, a stationary exercise machine may include one or more moveable members configured to be moved by a user, an actuator configured to selectively adjust the speed of, or the amount of resistance on, the one or more moveable members, and one or more processors. The one or more processors may be configured to receive a video workout program, execute the video workout program set to a first difficulty level, receive a second difficulty level, and execute the video workout program reset to the second difficulty level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: ICON HEALTH & FITNESS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric S. Watterson, Chase Brammer, Christian Hathaway, Rebecca Lynn Capell
  • Publication number: 20210170234
    Abstract: Stationary exercise machine. In one aspect of the disclosure, a stationary exercise machine may include one or more moveable members configured to be moved by a user, an actuator configured to selectively adjust the speed of, or the amount of resistance on, the one or more moveable members, and one or more processors. The one or more processors may be configured to receive a video workout program, execute the video workout program set to a first difficulty level, receive a second difficulty level, and execute the video workout program reset to the second difficulty level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Eric S. Watterson, Chase Brammer, Christian Hathaway, Rebecca Lynn Capell
  • Publication number: 20200254311
    Abstract: Controlling an exercise machine using a video workout program. In one aspect of the disclosure, a method may include capturing a video, encoding exercise machine control commands into a subtitle stream of the video to create the video workout program, decoding the subtitle stream of the video to access the exercise machine control commands, periodically determining at least that an actual heart rate zone of a user is not equal to a current programmed heart rate zone and that the actual heart rate of the user is not trending toward the current programmed heart rate zone by at least a threshold heart rate trend rate, and in response adaptively scaling the video workout program by adjusting a current difficulty level upward or downward depending on if the actual heart rate zone is lower or higher than the current programmed heart rate zone, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Eric S. Watterson, Chase Brammer, Christian Hathaway, Rebecca Lynn Capell
  • Patent number: 10702736
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to exercise systems, and more particularly to adjustable exercise cycles. In accordance with at least some aspects, a stationary exercise cycle includes an incline mechanism that adjusts an incline of an upright support structure. The incline mechanism is aligned with a portion of an upright support structure on which a handle bar assembly is mounted. In some cases, the exercise cycle includes a console that can be rotated for viewing when not riding on the exercise cycle. The exercise cycle can also include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of a seat or the handle bar assembly. The adjustment mechanism can include a cam-based locking mechanism for selectively securing the seat or handle bar assembly in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Weston, William T. Dalebout, Greg W. Law, Keith A. Taylor, Steven J. Kresie, Eric S. Watterson
  • Patent number: 10493349
    Abstract: Display on exercise device. In one embodiment, an exercise device includes a frame, a movable engagement surface connected to the frame and movable in the performance of an exercise, and a display located adjacent to or below at least a portion of the movable engagement surface relative to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric S. Watterson
  • Publication number: 20180200566
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to exercise systems, and more particularly to adjustable exercise cycles. In accordance with at least some aspects, a stationary exercise cycle includes an incline mechanism that adjusts an incline of an upright support structure. The incline mechanism is aligned with a portion of an upright support structure on which a handle bar assembly is mounted. In some cases, the exercise cycle includes a console that can be rotated for viewing when not riding on the exercise cycle. The exercise cycle can also include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of a seat or the handle bar assembly. The adjustment mechanism can include a cam-based locking mechanism for selectively securing the seat or handle bar assembly in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Jared Weston, William T. Dalebout, Greg W. Law, Keith A. Taylor, Steven J. Kresie, Eric S. Watterson
  • Patent number: 10010756
    Abstract: An exercise machine includes a frame and a movable element movably attached to the frame that is movable in a performance of an exercise. The exercise machine also includes a friction reducing assembly with a first part attached to the movable element and a second part attached elsewhere on the exercise machine. The friction reducing assembly includes a non-ferromagnetic material and a magnet that moves relative to the non-ferromagnetic material as the movable element moves. The relative movement of the non-ferromagnetic material and the magnet generate a force that reduces friction between the non-ferromagnetic material and the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric S. Watterson
  • Publication number: 20180111034
    Abstract: An exercise machine may include a frame, a movable element movably connected to the frame and movable during a performance of an exercise, a transmitter in communication with a media system, the media system having a receiver and a display in communication with the receiver and capable of depicting video content received through the receiver, a processor, and a memory having programmed instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to send data relating to the exercise to the receiver to be depicted over the video content during the performance of the exercise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventor: Eric S. Watterson
  • Publication number: 20180104543
    Abstract: An exercise machine includes a frame and a movable element movably attached to the frame that is movable in a performance of an exercise. The exercise machine also includes a friction reducing assembly with a first part attached to the movable element and a second part attached elsewhere on the exercise machine. The friction reducing assembly includes a non-ferromagnetic material and a magnet that moves relative to the non-ferromagnetic material as the movable element moves. The relative movement of the non-ferromagnetic material and the magnet generate a force that reduces friction between the non-ferromagnetic material and the magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventor: Eric S. Watterson
  • Publication number: 20170266532
    Abstract: An exercise device includes a frame, a movable engagement surface connected to the frame and movable in the performance of an exercise, and a display located adjacent to or below at least a portion of the movable engagement surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventor: Eric S. Watterson
  • Publication number: 20160092909
    Abstract: A method of advertising includes placing an advertising module on a football field where the advertising module includes a platform, an exercise device positioned on the platform, and an advertisement attached to the platform. The location of the advertising module on the football field is between a goal line and a 25 yard line and proximate a side line of a playing region of the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Eric S. Watterson
  • Patent number: 7815550
    Abstract: Exercise devices, components for exercise devices and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, an exercise device is provided in the form of a treadmill including a frame, a platform or deck, a continuous or circuitous belt surrounding the platform, and at least one columnar member coupled with e frame and extending generally upwards from the frame when the exercise device is in an intended operating orientation. A cushioning device is directly coupled to the columnar member and in contact with an underlying support surface. In one embodiment, the cushioning device may include a first end member coupled with the columnar member, a second end member in contact with the supporting surface, and one or more compression members disposed between the first end member and the second end member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Icon Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Watterson, Keith A. Taylor, Gordon L. Cutler
  • Publication number: 20090082176
    Abstract: Exercise devices, components for exercise devices and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, an exercise device is provided in the form of a treadmill including a frame, a platform or deck, a continuous or circuitous belt surrounding the platform, and at least one columnar member coupled with e frame and extending generally upwards from the frame when the exercise device is in an intended operating orientation. A cushioning device is directly coupled to the columnar member and in contact with an underlying support surface. In one embodiment, the cushioning device may include a first end member coupled with the columnar member, a second end member in contact with the supporting surface, and one or more compression members disposed between the first end member and the second end member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: ICON HEALTH & FITNESS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric S. Watterson, Keith A. Taylor, Gordon L. Cutler