Patent Application
20220176226
This application claims priority to and benefit of Italian Patent Application No. 102020000029972 filed Dec. 4, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The present invention generally relates to the field of fitness and, in particular, to a method and a system for improving the workout experience of a user. More, specifically, the present invention relates to a method and a system for enjoying an audio component of a multimedia content during a workout.
Nowadays, a user can use multimedia content during a workout on an exercise machine.
The multimedia content may be simple entertainment, for example a TV channel or a video on the Internet (YouTube), or preparatory to the workout, such as a film of a trainer who provides the user with voice messages to perform the workout according to an established workout program and other motivational messages and/or advice to help the user improve the workout performance.
The multimedia content has a video component which is used by the user by means of a display of the exercise machine, and an audio component which conventionally is used by the user by means of headsets connected in a wired or wireless manner directly to the exercise machine. Headsets are usually the ones the user already uses for mobile phone, tablet or multimedia reader (for example, a traditional MP3 audio file reader).
In order to connect the headsets to the exercise machine in a wireless manner (for example, by Bluetooth connection) or in a wired manner, the user has to follow a specific procedure to make the headsets operational.
Such procedure may be new to the user, not very intuitive and difficult to implement, especially when the user is not familiar with technology and/or not very lucid because he/she is tired from a preceding workout performed shortly before on another exercise machine.
This may result in a need for assistance or a waste of time, even if the procedure is autonomously performed, with a subsequent slowing down of the workout preparation operations which, within a workout class, without the possibility of immediately using the audio component of the video of the trainer, could compromise the correct outcome of the workout with respect to timely participants of the workout class.
Another drawback comes from the fact that an established workout program may require successive use of several exercise machines.
In that case, every time the user switches to a different exercise machine, the user is required to perform a new connecting operation of the headsets to the exercise machine to use the audio component, with the inevitable interruption thereof while switching from one exercise machine to the successive one, in addition to the above-mentioned drawbacks relative to the headset connection operation.
All this could cause further drawbacks in terms of time, in addition to possibly distracting the user from performance of the workout.
Moreover, a further drawback is due to the limited possibilities of personalizing the content which may be used during a workout on an exercise machine with these types of solutions.
Therefore, the user's experience during workout as a whole may appear discontinuous because of the difficulties that may be encountered. This certainly goes against today's ever increasing need to provide the user with a workout experience as performing, satisfactory and pleasant as possible.
One object of the present invention is to devise and provide a method for improving the workout experience of a user, in particular a method for enjoying an audio component of a multimedia content during the workout which allows at least partially solving the above prior art drawbacks and enjoying the audio component in the most reliable, simple and timely manner possible, ensuring an improved workout experience to the user.
Such an object is achieved by a method as described and claimed herein.
Preferred embodiments of said method are also described.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for enjoying an audio component of a multimedia content during a workout.
Further features and advantages of the method and system according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description which illustrates preferred embodiments, given by way of indicative, non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
It is worth noting that equivalent or similar elements are indicated by the same numerical and/or alphanumerical reference in the drawings.
With reference to the drawings, it is first described a system 200 for enjoying an audio component of a multimedia content during a workout, hereinafter also simply referred to as system.
The multimedia content, described in greater detail hereinafter, is indicated in the drawings by the alphanumeric reference CM1.
With reference to
The exercise machine 100 is any exercise machine which may be employed by a user to perform physical activity remotely, for example, from home, either alone or in a workout class, or in a gym, either alone or in a workout class.
Examples of the exercise machine 100 are a treadmill (
The following description, with reference in particular to
The exercise machine 100 comprises a user interface 101.
The user interface 101 comprises a data processing unit 102, for example a microprocessor or a microcontroller.
The user interface 101 further comprises a memory unit 103, operatively connected to the data processing unit 102.
The memory unit 103 can be either internal or external (for example, as shown in
It is worth noting that the memory unit 103 is configured to store one or more program codes which can be executed by the data processing unit 102 and data generated and processed following the execution of the one or more program codes.
As described in greater detail hereinafter, the memory unit 103 is configured to store the multimedia content CM1 which may be used by a user during the workout.
The data processing unit 102 of the user interface 101 is configured to control operation of the exercise machine 100.
Moreover, the data processing unit 102 of the user interface 101 is configured to perform the steps of the method for enjoying an audio component of a multimedia content during the workout, according to the present invention, as described hereinafter.
Referring back to the user interface 101, the user interface 101 is configured to allow a user to interact with the exercise machine 100 and to use the multimedia contents while performing the workout.
The multimedia content may be for entertainment purposes only (for example, Internet browsing, entertainment videos, audio/video music files, and so on), or for workout purposes (for example, audio messages and/or video clips which explain the user how to use the exercise machine and/or perform the workout on the exercise machine according to a set workout program).
For the purposes of the present invention, reference will be made to multimedia content as a video of a trainer preparatory to the performance of a set workout program on the exercise machine. The video component, as described hereinafter, may be used by a user through the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
In this regard, the multimedia content may be an audio and/or video of a trainer who provides the user with voice and/or gestural messages to perform the workout according to a set workout program (for example, how to change settings of the exercise machine), with motivational messages and/or useful tips to help the user to perform the workout correctly and improve performance.
As diagrammatically shown in
According to a further embodiment, in combination with the preceding one, the multimedia content CM1 preferably comprises a video component V1, in combination with the audio component A1.
With reference again to
The display module 104 is operatively connected to the data processing unit 102 of the user interface 101.
With reference again to
The portable electronic device 1 comprises a data processing module 2, for example a microcontroller or microprocessor.
The portable electronic device 1 further comprises a memory module 3 operatively connected to the data processing module 2.
The memory module 3 may be internal or external (as shown in
It is worth noting that the memory module 3 is configured to store one or more program codes which can be executed by the data processing module 2 and data generated and processed following the execution of the one or more program codes.
In addition to being configured to control operation of the portable electronic device 1, the data processing module 2 is configured to perform the steps of the method for enjoying an audio component of a multimedia content during the workout, according to the present invention, as described hereinbelow.
With reference again to
In an embodiment, shown in
According to a further embodiment, shown in
Referring back to the system 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the exercise machine 100 (the data processing unit 102 of the user interface 103, in particular) is configured to receive a video component V1 of a multimedia content CM1 which may be used during the workout.
In this embodiment, the user interface 101 (the data processing unit 102, in particular) is configured to play the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 by means of the display module 104 of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
In this embodiment, the portable electronic device 1 of the user (the data processing module 2, in particular) is configured to establish a data connection with the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 which may be employed by the user during a workout.
In this regard, both the portable electronic device 1 and the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 are configured to establish a data connection in wireless technology, for example Bluetooth, Wi-Fi technology or similar.
It is worth noting that the data connection in wireless technology between the portable electronic device 1 of the user and the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 is preferably established when the user is authenticated on the exercise machine 100.
This may automatically occur via Bluetooth and/or by reading a code (a QR type code, for example) displayed on the exercise machine 100 and captured or photographed by the user by the portable electronic device 1.
Moreover, the portable electronic device 1 of the user (the data processing module 2, in particular) is configured to receive the streamed audio component A1, as described below according to various embodiments, of the multimedia content CM1.
The portable electronic device 1 of the user (the data processing module 2, in particular) is further configured to play, by means of an audio speaker 4 operatively associated with the portable electronic device 1 of the user, the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 during the playing time of the video component V1 of the multimedia content by the display module 104 of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
Therefore, the user may play the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 on his/her own portable electronic device 1, thus avoiding connecting the portable electronic device 1 to the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
In an embodiment, in combination with the preceding one, the user interface 101 (therefore, the data processing unit 102) of the exercise machine 100 and the portable electronic device 1 (therefore, the data processing module 2) of the user are configured to synchronize the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 and the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 with each other during respective playing time.
Therefore, possible delays or early playing of the audio component A1 with respect to the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 (and vice versa), which could make comprehension of the multimedia content CM1 by the user difficult, are reduced or even eliminated.
In an embodiment, in combination with the preceding one, the user interface 101 (therefore, the data processing unit 102) of the exercise machine 100 and the portable electronic device 1 (therefore, the data processing module 2) of the user are configured to synchronize, during the respective playing time, the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 and the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 by comparing timestamps distributed along a playing time axis of the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 and timestamps distributed along a playing time axis of the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1.
Moreover, if the user momentarily pauses the playing time of the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1, for example by means of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, the portable electronic device 1 of the user is configured to interrupt the playing time of the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 up to a successive resumption of the playing time of the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1.
Vice versa, if the user momentarily pauses the playing time of the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1, for example by means of the portable electronic device 1 of the user, the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 is configured to interrupt the playing time of the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 up to a successive resumption of the playing time of the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1.
In an embodiment, shown in
The connection between the remote electronic calculator 400 and the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 is a wired or wireless connection, by means of a data communication network (not shown in the drawings), for example Internet.
In this embodiment, in order to provide the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1, the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, therefore the data processing unit 102, is configured to:
receive the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 from the remote electronic calculator 400 operatively connected to user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100; and
play the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 received from the remote electronic calculator 400 operatively connected to the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
In an embodiment, in combination with the preceding one, the remote electronic calculator 400 operatively connected to the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 is configured to stream the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1.
According to an embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above, the above-described memory unit 103 of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 is configured to store the multimedia content CM1.
In this embodiment, the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 (therefore, the data processing unit 102) is configured to play the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 by playing the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 stored in the memory unit 103 of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 is not provided by the remote electronic calculator 400 of the user interface 101, as in the embodiment described above, but it is already stored in the memory unit 103 of the user interface 101.
In an embodiment, in combination with the preceding one, the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 (therefore, the data processing unit 102), is configured to stream the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 stored in the memory unit 103 of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the portable electronic device 1 of the user receives the streamed audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 from the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
According to an embodiment, alternatively to the preceding ones, the system 200 comprises a remote electronic calculator 400 operatively connected to the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
In this embodiment, the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, therefore the data processing unit 102, can be configured to:
receive the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 from the remote electronic calculator 400 operatively connected to the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100;
play the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 received from the remote electronic calculator 400 operatively connected to the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100; and
stream the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1.
In this embodiment, the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 is stored in the memory unit 103 of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 because the multimedia content CM1 was previously downloaded from the remote electronic calculator 400 (cloud).
According to a further embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above, as already mentioned above, the multimedia content CM1 is a video of a trainer preparatory to the performance of the workout.
In an embodiment, shown in
In an embodiment, in combination with the preceding one, the portable electronic device 1 of the user, therefore the data processing module 2, is configured to allow the user to select, as background music to be played together with the at least one first audio sub-component S1 representative of the voice of the trainer, a further audio component S3 representative of a background music available in the portable electronic device 1 of the user.
In an embodiment, alternatively to or in combination with the preceding one, the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 (therefore the data processing unit 102) is configured to allow the user to select, as background music to be played together with the at least one first audio sub-component S1 representative of the voice of the trainer, the further audio component S3 representative of a background music available in the portable electronic device 1 of the user.
According to a further embodiment, in combination with any one of the preceding ones, the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 further comprises at least one second audio sub-component S2 representative of a background music.
The at least one second audio component S2 is selected, for example from an audio streaming platform.
In an embodiment, in combination with the preceding one, the portable electronic device 1 of the user, therefore the data processing module 2, is configured to allow the user to select, as background music to be played together with the at least one first audio sub-component S1 representative of the voice of the trainer, one of the at least one second audio sub-component S2 representative of a background music of the audio sub-component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 and a further audio component S3 representative of a background music available in the portable electronic device 1 of the user.
In an embodiment, alternatively to or in combination with the preceding one, the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 (therefore the data processing unit 102) is configured to allow the user to select, as background music to be played together with the at least one first audio sub-component S1 representative of the voice of the trainer, one of the at least one second audio sub-component S2 representative of a background music of the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 and the further audio component S3 representative of a background music available in the portable electronic device 1 of the user.
In an embodiment, shown with dashed lines in
In an embodiment, alternatively to the preceding one, shown with dashed lines in
The audio which may be streamed is preferably provided by the user to the portable electronic device 1 from a further remote electronic calculator 500 (diagrammatically shown in
Therefore, in this embodiment, the user has the possibility of listening to the voice of the trainer with a background music selected by the user from the one already present in the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 (second sub-component S1) and a preferred one (further audio component S3) already stored beforehand in the portable electronic device 1 of the user or which may be streamed from a further remote electronic calculator 500.
In a further embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above, the audio speaker 4 operatively associated with the portable electronic device comprises a loudspeaker 4′ of the portable electronic device 1 of the user.
In this embodiment, the portable electronic device 1, therefore the data processing module 2, of the user is configured to play the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 by means of the loudspeaker 4′ of the portable electronic device 1 of the user during the playing time of the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 by the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 by means of the display module 104.
In a further embodiment, alternatively to or in combination with the preceding one, the audio speaker 4 operatively associated with the portable electronic device 1 of the user comprises a headset 4″ configured to be operatively connected to the portable electronic device 1 of the user in a wireless (for example, by means of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi connection technology and so on) or wired (for example, by means of cable with jack coupling) manner.
In this embodiment, the portable electronic device 1 of the user is configured to play the audio component A1 of the multimedia content by means of the headset 4″ operatively connected to the portable electronic device 1 of the user in a wireless or wired manner during the playing time of the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 by the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 by means of the display module 104.
According to a further embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above and shown with dashed lines in
In this embodiment, the portable electronic device 1, therefore the data processing module 2, of the user is configured to receive and recognize the activation command CT provided by the user by means of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
An example of activation command CT may be a start session command or a start workout class with the trainer command, following the selection by the user, by means of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
The user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 and the portable electronic device 1 of the user adapted to perform the workout at the exercise machine 100 are configured to receive the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 which may be used during the workout and receive the streamed audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1, respectively, following the establishment, by the portable electronic device 1 of the user, of the data connection with the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, which may be employed by the user during a workout, in response to an activation command CT provided by the user by means of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 and received and recognized by the portable electronic device 1 of the user.
According to a further embodiment, alternatively to or in combination with the preceding one and shown with dashed lines in
In this embodiment, the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, therefore the data processing unit 102, is configured to receive and recognize the activation command CT provided by the user by means of the portable electronic device 1.
An example of activation command CT may be a start session command or a start workout class with the trainer command, following the selection by the user, by means of the portable electronic device 1 of the user.
The user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 and the portable electronic device 1 of the user adapted to perform the workout at the exercise machine 100 are configured to receive the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 which may be used during the workout and receive the streamed audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1, respectively, following the establishment, by the portable electronic device 1 of the user, of the data connection with the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, which may be employed by the user during a workout, in response to the activation command CT provided by the user by means of the portable electronic device 1 of the user.
With reference now to
The method 300 comprises a symbolic step of starting ST.
The method 300 comprises a step of establishing 301, by a portable electronic device 1 of the user, a data connection with a user interface 101 of an exercise machine 100 which may be employed by the user during a workout.
The portable electronic device 1 of the user and the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 were already described above.
The method 300 further comprises a step of providing 302 a video component V1 of a multimedia content CM1 which may be used during the workout at the exercise machine 100, which may be employed by the user for the workout.
The method 300 further comprises a step of streaming 303 an audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 to the portable electronic device 1 of the user adapted to perform the workout at the exercise machine 100.
The multimedia content CM1 was already described above.
The method 300 further comprises a step of playing 304, by the portable electronic device 1 of the user, the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 by means of an audio speaker 4 operatively associated with the portable electronic device 1 of the user during a playing time, by the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, of the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 by means of a display module 104 of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
In an embodiment, shown with dashed lines in
The advantages of synchronizing were already described above with reference to the description of the system 200.
Moreover, if the user momentarily pauses the playing time of the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1, for example by means of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, the step of playing 304 may comprise a step of interrupting 305′, by the portable electronic device 1 of the user, the playing time of the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 up to a successive resumption of the playing time of the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1.
Vice versa, if the user momentarily pauses the playing time of the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1, for example by means of the portable electronic device 1 of the user, the step of playing 304 comprises a step of interrupting 305″, by the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, the playing time of the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 up to a successive resumption of the playing time of the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1.
Referring back to
According to a further embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above, shown with dashed lines in
receiving 307, by the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 from a remote electronic calculator 400 operatively connected to the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100; and
playing 308, by the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 received from the remote electronic calculator 400 operatively connected to the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
In an embodiment, in combination with the preceding one, the step of streaming 303 the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 is performed by the remote electronic calculator 400 operatively connected to the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
According to an embodiment, alternatively to the preceding ones in which the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 is provided by the remote electronic calculator 400, shown with dashed lines in
storing 309 the multimedia content CM1 in a memory unit 103 of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100; and
playing 310, by the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 stored in the memory unit 103 of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
In this embodiment, the step of streaming 303 the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 stored in the memory unit 103 of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 is performed by the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
According to an embodiment, alternatively to the preceding ones in which the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 is provided by the remote electronic calculator 400 or is stored in the memory unit 103 of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, the step of providing 302 the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 comprises steps of:
receiving 307, by the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, therefore the data processing unit 102, the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 from the remote electronic calculator 400 operatively connected to the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100; and
playing 308, by the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 received from the remote electronic calculator 400 operatively connected to the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
In this embodiment, the step of streaming 303 the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 is performed by the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
In this embodiment, the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 is stored in the memory unit 103 of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 because the multimedia content CM1 was previously downloaded from the remote electronic calculator 400 (cloud).
In an embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above, the multimedia content CM1 is a video of a trainer preparatory to the performance of the workout.
The audio component A1 of the multimedia content comprises at least one first audio sub-component S1 representative of the voice of the trainer.
In this embodiment, shown with dashed lines in
selecting 311, by the user, by means of the portable electronic device 1 or the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, as background music to be played together with the at least one first audio sub-component S1 representative of the voice of the trainer, a further audio component S3 representative of a background music.
The further audio component S3 representative of a background music is available in the portable electronic device 1 of the user.
According to a further embodiment, in combination with any one of the preceding ones, the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 further comprises at least one second audio sub-component S2 representative of a background music.
The at least one second audio sub-component S2 is, for example provided by an audio streaming platform.
In this embodiment, shown with dashed lines in
In an embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above, the further audio component S3 representative of a background music available in the portable electronic device 1 of the user is stored in the memory module 3 of the portable electronic device 1 of the user.
In an embodiment, alternatively to the preceding one, the further audio component S3 representative of a background music available in the portable electronic device 1 of the user is an audio which may be streamed on the portable electronic device 1 of the user (for example, Spotify).
The audio which may be streamed is preferably provided by the user to the portable electronic device 1 from a further remote electronic calculator 500 (diagrammatically shown in
According to an embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above, wherein the step of playing 304 the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 by means of an audio speaker 4 operatively associated with the portable electronic device 1 of the user is performed by means of a loudspeaker 4′ of the portable electronic device 1 of the user.
According to a further embodiment, alternatively to or in combination with the preceding one, the step of playing 304 the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 by means of an audio speaker 4 operatively associated with the portable electronic device 1 of the user is performed by means of a headset 4″ operatively connected to the portable electronic device 1 of the user in a wireless or wired manner.
According to a further embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above and shown with dashed lines in
In this embodiment, the method 300 further comprises a step of receiving and recognizing 314, by the portable electronic device 1 of the user (therefore, by the data processing module 2) the activation command CT provided by the user by means of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
An example of activation command CT was provided above.
In this embodiment, the step of providing 302 the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1, which may be used during the workout at the exercise machine 100 which may be employed by the user for the workout, and the step of streaming 303 the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 to the portable electronic device 1 of the user adapted to perform the workout at the exercise machine 100, are performed following the establishment, by the portable electronic device 1 of the user, of the data connection with the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, which may be employed by the user during a workout in response to an activation command CT provided by the user by means of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 and received and recognized by the portable electronic device 1 of the user.
According to a further embodiment, alternatively to or in combination with the preceding one and shown with dashed lines in
In this embodiment, the method 300 further comprises a step of receiving and recognizing 316, by the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 (therefore, by the data processing unit 102), the activation command CT provided by the user by means of the portable electronic device 1 of the user.
An example of activation command was provided above.
According to this embodiment, the step of providing 302 the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1, which may be used during the workout at the exercise machine 100 which may be employed by the user for the workout, and the step of streaming 303 the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 to the portable electronic device 1 of the user, adapted to perform the workout at the exercise machine 100, are performed following the establishment, by the portable electronic device 1 of the user, of the data connection with the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 which may be employed by the user during a workout in response to an activation command CT provided by the user by means of the portable electronic device 1 of the user and received and recognized by the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
The method 300 ends with a symbolic step of ending ED.
With reference to an embodiment and the drawings, an example is now described of the implementation, by the system 200, of a method for enjoying an audio component of a multimedia content during a workout.
A user gets on an exercise machine 100, for example, a treadmill like the one shown in
The user, by means of an activation command CT of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100, requests to use a multimedia content CM1, that is a video of a trainer preparatory to the performance of the workout he/she is starting on the exercise machine 100.
The multimedia content CM1 comprises an audio component A1 (voice of the trainer) and a video component V1 (video of the trainer).
Following reception and recognition of the activation command CT, the portable electronic device 1 (smartphone) of the user establishes a data connection with the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
The user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 receives a video component V1 of a multimedia content CM1 from a remote electronic calculator 400 operatively connected to the exercise machine 100 and plays the video component V1 of the multimedia content CM1 on a display module 104.
Moreover, the portable electronic device 1 of the user receives an audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 streamed by the remote electronic calculator 400 operatively connected to the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100.
During the workout, the user uses the mutually synchronized video component V1 and audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1 by means of the display module 104 of the user interface 101 of the exercise machine 100 and the audio speaker 4 operatively connected to the portable electronic device 1 of the user, for example a headset connected in a wireless manner (for example, in Bluetooth) to the smartphone, respectively.
If, in addition to the voice of the trainer (first audio sub-component S1), the audio component A1 also has a background music (second audio sub-component S2), the user can select the second audio sub-component S2 or a further audio component S3 available in the portable electronic device 1, that is the music which may be streamed on the smartphone (for example, Spotify), as background music by means of the portable electronic device 1.
Once the workout program is complete, also use of the multimedia content CM1 ends and the user gets off the exercise machine 100.
It is worth noting that the scope of the invention is fully achieved.
Indeed, the user is capable of enjoying the audio component A1 (voice of the trainer) directly on his/her portable electronic device 1 (smartphone) without any specific and complicated connection procedure of the headset or the speaker of the portable electronic device 1 of the user to the user interface of the exercise machine 100, therefore avoiding asking for help or wasting time with subsequent slowing down of the workout preparation operations.
Therefore, a timely enjoyment of the multimedia content CM1 is ensured within a workout class, which does not compromise the proper outcome of the workout with respect to the other timelier components of the workout class.
Moreover, the fact of receiving the streamed audio component A1 of the multimedia content allows quickly switching several exercise machines, if required within a set workout program.
Indeed, at each switching from one exercise machine to another, when the portable electronic device 1 of the user is in the vicinity of the exercise machine 100, the data connection is established between the portable electronic device 1 of the user and the successive streaming, by the portable electronic device 1 of the user, of the audio component A1 of the multimedia content CM1.
Switching from one exercise machine to the successive one, therefore, occurs in the most natural manner possible, without distracting the user from the actual performance of the workout, thus making the user's experience during the workout as continuous, performing, satisfactory and pleasant as possible.
Moreover, being able to select between the background music S2 of the content CM1 and the further background music S3 stored in the electronic device 1 of the user or usable by an audio streaming platform allows the user to personalize the content by selecting his/her favorite music.
A person skilled in the art may make changes and adaptations to the embodiments of the method and system described above or replace elements with others which are functionally equivalent to satisfy contingent needs, without departing from the scope of protection as described and claimed herein. Each of the features described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented irrespective of the other embodiments described.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102020000029972 | Dec 2020 | IT | national |
