Patents by Inventor James S. Birrell

James S. Birrell 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: 20140073485
    Abstract: An exercise guidance system displays either a workout option or different exercise options based on a person's exercise objectives. In one embodiment, the displayed option or options is additionally based at least partially upon a metabolic equivalent. In another embodiment, the displayed option or options is additionally based at least partially upon the time current available time for the workout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: David E. Dyer, James S. Birrell, Brady A. Olason, Brian D. Wilson, David W. Flynt, Autumn L. Stroupe
  • Patent number: 8663068
    Abstract: An exercise guidance system displays either a workout option or different exercise options based on a person's exercise objectives. In one embodiment, the displayed option or options is additionally based at least partially upon a metabolic equivalent. In another embodiment, the displayed option or options is additionally based at least partially upon the time current available time for the workout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: David E. Dyer, James S. Birrell, Brady A. Olason, Brian D. Wilson, David W. Flynt, Autumn L. Stroupe
  • Patent number: 8613689
    Abstract: An exercise guidance system and method display either a workout option or different exercise options based on a person's exercise objectives. In one embodiment, the displayed option or options is additionally based at least partially upon a metabolic equivalent. In another embodiment, the displayed option or options is additionally based at least partially upon the time current available time for the workout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: David E. Dyer, James S. Birrell, Brady A. Olason, Brian D. Wilson, David W. Flynt, Autumn L. Stroupe
  • Publication number: 20130225370
    Abstract: A method and exercise system obtain at least one parameter of ongoing exercise on a fitness equipment unit and adjust at least one operational characteristic of the user interface while a person is exercising and based upon the obtained at least one parameter of ongoing exercise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: David W. Flynt, Salman A. Khilji, Piet H. Schouten, James S. Birrell
  • Publication number: 20130210578
    Abstract: An apparatus and method concurrently present one or more visible tracings on a display, each of the one or more visible tracings being based upon one of a plurality of available paths actually taken by a member of an exercise device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: PRECOR INCORPORATED
    Inventor: James S. BIRRELL
  • Patent number: 8419593
    Abstract: An electronic method of obtaining exercise equipment information. The method including using a first control server associated with a first fitness facility to gather first usage information from a first fitness equipment unit, sending the first usage information from the control server to an accumulated data storage unit, and using the first control server associated with the first fitness facility to gather second usage information from a second fitness equipment unit. The method further including sending the second usage information from the control server to the accumulated data storage unit, and sending the first usage information from the accumulated data storage unit information to a requester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark E. Ainsworth, Robert J. Silbernagel, Susan W. M. Bell, James S. Birrell
  • Publication number: 20120188094
    Abstract: An electronic method of obtaining exercise equipment information. The method including using a first control server associated with a first fitness facility to gather first usage information from a first fitness equipment unit, sending the first usage information from the control server to an accumulated data storage unit, and using the first control server associated with the first fitness facility to gather second usage information from a second fitness equipment unit. The method further including sending the second usage information from the control server to the accumulated data storage unit, and sending the first usage information from the accumulated data storage unit information to a requester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: PRECOR INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James S. Birrell, Mark E. Ainsworth, Robert J. Silbernagel, Susan W.M. Bell
  • Patent number: 8221292
    Abstract: A user status notification system and method indicate to non-users proximate the fitness equipment unit status information pertaining to the user while the user is using the fitness equipment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert J. Barker, James S. Birrell
  • Patent number: 8157706
    Abstract: A system and method control usage of exercise equipment by: using a control server remote from a first fitness equipment unit to gather usage information at a fitness facility including the first fitness equipment unit; using the control server to communicate a maximum available individual workout time setting to the first fitness equipment unit based on the gathered usage information; and applying the maximum available individual workout time setting to the first fitness equipment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark E. Ainsworth, Robert J. Silbernagel, Susan W. M. Bell, James S. Birrell
  • Publication number: 20120077641
    Abstract: An exercise guidance system and method display either a workout option or different exercise options based on a person's exercise objectives. In one embodiment, the displayed option or options is additionally based at least partially upon a metabolic equivalent. In another embodiment, the displayed option or options is additionally based at least partially upon the time current available time for the workout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: PRECOR INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David E. Dyer, James S. Birrell, Brady A. Olason, Brian D. Wilson, David W. Flynt, Autumn L. Stroupe
  • Patent number: 8105213
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a foot member configured to pivot about a horizontal pivot axis, the foot member supporting a footpad, a first surface coupled to the foot member to pivot with the foot member about the horizontal pivot axis, a second surface stationarily supported by the frame, and a bumper between the first surface and the second surface. The bumper resiliently compresses during pivoting of the first surface in the arc towards the second surface while in contact with the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Stewart, Rodney P. West, David E. Dyer, James S. Birrell, Sean Horita
  • Publication number: 20110183813
    Abstract: A user status notification system and method indicate to non-users proximate the fitness equipment unit status information pertaining to the user while the user is using the fitness equipment unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert James Barker, James S. Birrell
  • Patent number: 7955219
    Abstract: An exercise system provides incentives for individuals by providing either a collective exercise goal or a sponsored exercise reward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: James S. Birrell, Brady A. Olason, David W. Flynt, Autumn L. Stroupe, David E. Dyer
  • Publication number: 20110090092
    Abstract: A system and method control usage of exercise equipment by: using a control server remote from a first fitness equipment unit to gather usage information at a fitness facility including the first fitness equipment unit; using the control server to communicate a maximum available individual workout time setting to the first fitness equipment unit based on the gathered usage information; and applying the maximum available individual workout time setting to the first fitness equipment unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: PRECOR INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James S. Birrell, Mark E. Ainsworth, Robert J. Silbernagel, Susan W.M. Bell
  • Publication number: 20110082010
    Abstract: An exercise guidance system and method dynamically adjusts an exercise route for meeting a fitness objective based upon a comparison of the route and actual received exercise metrics on an exercise device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: David E. Dyer, James S. Birrell, Brady A. Olason, Brian D. Wilson, David W. Flynt, Autumn L. Stroupe
  • Publication number: 20110082007
    Abstract: An exercise system provides incentives for individuals by providing either a collective exercise goal or a sponsored exercise reward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: James S. Birrell, Brady A. Olason, David W. Flynt, Autumn L. Stroupe, David E. Dyer
  • Publication number: 20110028275
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a foot member configured to pivot about a horizontal pivot axis, the foot member supporting a footpad, a first surface coupled to the foot member to pivot with the foot member about the horizontal pivot axis, a second surface stationarily supported by the frame, and a bumper between the first surface and the second surface. The bumper resiliently compresses during pivoting of the first surface in the arc towards the second surface while in contact with the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Stewart, Rodney P. West, David E. Dyer, James S. Birrell, Sean Horita
  • Patent number: 7833133
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus for a user. The exercise apparatus includes a frame, a crank system coupled to the frame, a pivotal linkage pendulum system, a foot member and a foot member end of travel apparatus. The crank system includes one or more crank members. The pivotal linkage pendulum system comprises at least a first link member. The first link member is coupled to the crank system through at least a first pivot point. The first pivot point of the first link member is configured to move in a path during use. The foot member is coupled to the at least one first link member. The foot member end of travel apparatus provides a two-stage stiffness profile to the foot member indicating the end of travel to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Stewart, Rodney P. West, David E. Dyer, James S. Birrell, Sean Horita
  • Patent number: 7758469
    Abstract: An exercise device includes a member that moves through a selected one of a plurality of differently available paths. A display provides a visual representation of the movement of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: David E. Dyer, Sean Horita, James S. Birrell, Rodney P. West, Jonathan M. Stewart
  • Patent number: 7691034
    Abstract: An elliptical exercise device includes a frame having a first pivot axis and a longitudinal axis, at least one foot link and at least one swing arm. The foot link is coupled to the frame and is constrained to move in an orbital path approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis. The swing arm is also coupled to the frame and has a reciprocating movement whereby a natural “stride” movement of the arm of a user is replicated. The swing arm operates independently from the foot link. The natural “stride” movement of the arm of the user grasping the arm link follows a generally concave motion relative to the ground. The length of the movement of the arm of the user is defined by the user. A different resistive load can be applied on the arm apparatus than on the foot links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory B. May, James S. Birrell, Peter J. Arnold, Thomas H. Moran, Phillip S. Lamb