Patents by Inventor Mark E. Ainsworth

Mark E. Ainsworth 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).

  • Patent number: 9418349
    Abstract: A system and method manage distribution of fitness equipment units based upon automatically collected usage information for the fitness equipment units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark E. Ainsworth, Robert J. Silbernagel, Susan W. M. Bell, James S. Birrell
  • Publication number: 20150120348
    Abstract: A system and method manage distribution of fitness equipment units based upon automatically collected usage information for the fitness equipment units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Mark E. Ainsworth, Robert J. Silbernagel, Susan W. M. Bell, James S. Birrell
  • Patent number: 8944961
    Abstract: A system and method manage distribution of fitness equipment units based upon automatically collected usage information for the fitness equipment units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark E. Ainsworth, Robert J. Silbernagel, Susan W. M. Bell, James S. Birrell
  • Publication number: 20140351150
    Abstract: A system and method manage distribution of fitness equipment units based upon automatically collected usage information for the fitness equipment units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Mark E. Ainsworth, Robert J. Silbernagel, Susan W.M. Bell, James S. Birrell
  • Patent number: 8882637
    Abstract: A system and method manage distribution of fitness equipment units based upon automatically collected usage information for the fitness equipment units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark E. Ainsworth, Robert J. Silbernagel, Susan W. M. Bell, 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: 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
  • Patent number: 7988599
    Abstract: An electronic method of obtaining a service alert pertaining to exercise equipment uses a control server associated with a fitness facility to gather service information from at least one fitness equipment unit. The method further includes determining whether the service information gathered is significant, automatically sending a service alert message to at least one predefined recipient regarding service information that is significant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark E. Ainsworth, Robert J. Silbernagel, Susan W. M. Bell
  • 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: 20100035723
    Abstract: An electronic method of obtaining a service alert pertaining to exercise equipment uses a control server associated with a fitness facility to gather service information from at least one fitness equipment unit. The method further includes determining whether the service information gathered is significant, automatically sending a service alert message to at least one predefined recipient regarding service information that is significant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Mark E. Ainsworth, Robert J. Silbernagel, Susan W.M. Bell
  • Patent number: 7621846
    Abstract: A service tracking and alerting system for fitness equipment (18) includes one or more subsystems of multiple control servers (20) (ICS) to gather real time information from one or more fitness equipment units (22, 24) (FEU) via wireless connection and store such information in a temporary database (25). Multiple ICSs are linked to a remotely located accumulated data storage unit or silo (26) having a permanent storage database (27). One or more silos (26) and their corresponding ICSs are controlled, accessed, and interrogated through an enterprise level platform (32). Service alert messages may be generated and sent to one or more recipients if an FEU experiences a significant service event. Also, a reporting interface (190) allows users to access, enter, update and/or alter, service usage, warranty, and other information from the data storage units (26) and ICSs (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark E. Ainsworth, Robert J. Silbernagel, Susan W. M. Bell
  • Publication number: 20040229730
    Abstract: A service tracking and alerting system for fitness equipment (18) includes one or more subsystems of multiple control servers (20) (ICS) to gather real time information from one or more fitness equipment units (22, 24) (FEU) via wireless connection and store such information in a temporary database (25). Multiple ICSs are linked to a remotely located accumulated data storage unit or silo (26) having a permanent storage database (27). One or more silos (26) and their corresponding ICSs are controlled, accessed, and interrogated through an enterprise level platform (32). Service alert messages may be generated and sent to one or more recipients if an FEU experiences a significant service event. Also, a reporting interface (190) allows users to access, enter, update and/or alter, service usage, warranty, and other information from the data storage units (26) and ICSs (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Precor Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark E. Ainsworth, Robert J. Silbernagel, Susan W.M. Bell