Abstract:
A computer system, computer program product and method for calculating user fees associated with an amount of equipment usage. A server monitors usage a plurality of devices over a communications network, such as the Internet. Usage of the devices is charged to one or more users identified as using the devices. The user fees are preferably accumulated over a billing period before submitting an invoice of total user fees to each user. The amount of usage may be measured as a quantity selected from the group consisting of time, repetitions, workload and combinations thereof. The invention allows the possibility of having rate schedules that vary according to a factor selected from time of day, day of the week, device type, device features, device location, current demand conditions and combinations thereof. The system may further include an exercise profiler and a dietary profiler that provide fitness settings, programs and advice.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a method and system for determining a user fee to be charged by monitoring the service and equipment usage.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    The cost of equipment rentals, or other equipment sharing arrangements, are generally charged to the user on the basis of a cost per amount of time used. The practice of time-based user fees has a number of advantages. First, time is something that is easily tracked and monitored by both the user and the equipment provider so that disputes are less likely to arise. Second, people are accustomed to estimating the amount of time that the equipment may be needed. In fact, even the operators of the equipment are typically paid by the hour.  
           [0005]    However, there are certain inequities that arise as a result of time-based user fees. For example, a rental car may be quoted as costing a fixed amount per day of rental, regardless of whether the car is driven constantly during the rental period or whether the car is driven only a few miles before being sitting idle for the majority of the rental period. Accordingly, some rental agreements now provide a mileage cap at the fixed rental fee, but charge an additional amount for each mile driven beyond the mileage cap. This additional charge is an acknowledgement that the value of the rental car is not just a function of time, but is also a function of the extent of use.  
           [0006]    Quantifying or measuring an amount of car usage is relatively easy given the presence of an odometer and the fact that the number of cars, usually just one, is known at the outset of the rental period. However, there is a need to provide other services and equipment to users in an environment where the user can select the service or equipment as needed and use as much or as little of that service or equipment as determined necessary. For example, an executive suite arrangement can be configured where tenants have a number of business-related services, such as answering service, typing service and the like, and a number of equipment types, such as photocopiers, desks, and the like, made available to them. Charging for executive suite usage is much more complex than for a rental car, since the quantity of service and equipment used is more a function of the usage and less a function of time.  
           [0007]    However, some service and equipment usage is even more difficult and time-consuming to measure. In fact, the act of measuring usage of many common services and equipment would be so impractical as to make the measurement more expensive than the service and equipment being sought. As a result, many types of equipment are merely sold to the consumer so that the consumer can use the equipment as much as they want. For example, exercise machines and equipment are typically either sold to individuals for unlimited home use or “rented” to individuals through club memberships that give the consumer access to many exercise machines for a monthly fee. By charging a club membership, all of the various exercise equipment is essentially “bundled” together and the consumer&#39;s choice is simply to accept or reject the club membership fee that is offered. Unfortunately, this may be an ineffective pricing scheme for many consumers, such as a runner who will primarily use only one treadmill.  
           [0008]    Therefore, there is a need for a method and system for determining a user fee for using a service or equipment that is based on actual usage. Preferably, the user fee is determined by monitoring actual usage of the equipment, attributing the usage to an individual user, and calculating an appropriate user fee. It would be desirable if the usage were automatically measured by monitoring one or more characteristic of the equipment operation, features, or current demand. It would also be desirable if the user fee was calculated as a function of the usage amount and a rate schedule, wherein the rate schedule takes into account one or more rate factor selected from equipment purchase cost, equipment maintenance cost, building space utilization, features used, current usage or demand for the equipment, and the like.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention provides a system comprising a memory device and a processor in communication with the memory device. The memory device has one or more database therein for maintaining information relating to a plurality of users and a plurality of devices. The processor is configured to: identify one or more users using a device selected from the plurality of devices that are in communication with the processor, wherein the one or more users are selected from the plurality of users; identify the device used by each of the one or more users; determine, for each of the one or more users, a usage amount attributable to the device; and calculate a user fee for each of the one or more users based on the identity of the device and the usage amount attributable to the device and perhaps also the current demand for the device. Optionally, the processor may be further configured to repeat the foregoing steps for one or more devices, such as fitness equipment, subsequently used by each of the one or more users. Furthermore, the processor may be further configured to accumulate a total of user fees for each of the one or more users. The amount of usage may be measured as a quantity selected from the group consisting of time, repetitions, workload and combinations thereof. It is preferred that the one or more database maintains rate schedules for each of the plurality of devices. The invention allows the possibility that one or more of the rate schedules is variable according to a factor selected from time of day, day of the week, device type, device features, device location, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to display the user fee on the device during use.  
           [0010]    Similarly, the invention provides a computer program product including instructions embodied on a computer readable medium. The instructions comprise: storing instructions for storing information relating to a plurality of users and a plurality of devices; identifying instructions for identifying one or more users using a device selected from the plurality of devices that are in communication with the processor, wherein the one or more users are selected from the plurality of users; identifying instructions for identifying the device used by each of the one or more users; determining instructions for determining, for each of the one or more users, a usage amount attributable to the device; and calculating instructions for calculating a user fee for each of the one or more users based on the identity of the device and the usage amount attributable to the device. The computer program product may further include instructions carry out the same steps as the processor as configured above.  
           [0011]    More generally, the invention provides a method comprising: storing information relating to a plurality of users and a plurality of devices; identifying one or more users using a device selected from the plurality of devices that are in communication with the processor, wherein the one or more users are selected from the plurality of users; identifying the device used by each of the one or more users; determining, for each of the one or more users, a usage amount attributable to the device; and calculating a user fee for each of the one or more users based on the identity of the device and the usage amount attributable to the device. The method may further include steps that are carried out by the processor as configured above.  
           [0012]    The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numbers represent like parts of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a distributed data processing system illustrating the relationship of a server with a plurality of equipment users or clients.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 illustrates an equipment user or client communicating with a server in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a client-server system connected through a network.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is an example of a client computer system in which the present invention may be implemented.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is an exercise apparatus having a plurality of resistance mechanisms, wherein the exercise equipment is shown as a treadmill.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a block diagram representation of the controller of the Internet-connected programmable fitness device.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the steps taken by the fitness server in accounting for equipment usage.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a structural diagram illustrating fitness equipment communicating through the network to the integrated server.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the steps taken by the integrated server  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the steps taken by the electronic exercise profiler.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the steps taken by the electronic dietary profiler. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a distributed data processing system  10  illustrating the relationship of a central server  11  with multiple equipment clients or devices  12  for communication over a communications system or network  13 , such as the Internet. The system  10  includes programmable equipment  12  interactively coupled with the integrated server  11  that may be disposed at the same location or a location that is geographically remote from the server  11 . The system  10  of the present invention includes a user database  16  and an equipment database  18  containing instructions for determining a user fee. The equipment devices  12  access the integrated server  11  through the communications system  13 . The interactive coupling permits the equipment  12  to transmit various kinds of user location information to the server  11 . It also permits the server  11  to transmit control information to the equipment  12 . Information can be transmitted between the equipment  12  and the server  11  at any time, specifically including immediately prior to, during, or immediately after use of the equipment. A preferred equipment device or system  12  is shown in more detail in FIG. 6.  
         [0025]    Network  13  is the medium used to provide communications links between various devices and computers connected together within distributed data processing system  10 . Network  13  may include permanent connections, such as wire or fiber optic cables, or temporary connections made through telephone or wireless communications. Clients and servers may be represented by a variety of computing devices, such as mainframes, personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smart phones, and Internet-connected exercise equipment. Distributed data processing system may include additional servers, clients, routers and other devices not shown. In the depicted example, the distributed data processing system  10  may include the Internet with network  13  representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the TCP/IP suite of protocols to communicate with one another. Of course, the distributed data processing system may also include a number of different types of networks, such as, for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).  
         [0026]    The present invention could be implemented on a variety of hardware platforms and could be implemented in a variety of software environments. A typical operating system may be used to control program execution within the data processing system. Furthermore, although the preferred embodiment described below includes a “browser” at the client as the agent which exchanges data in the security protocols with the Web Application Server, the agent at the client does not have to be a conventional browser, e.g., Netscape Navigator® or Microsoft Internet Explorer®. In order to secure the information transmitted to and from the server, the client may be capable of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology exchanged in a security protocol such as the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) version  3 . 0  and above.  
         [0027]    Web application server  11  includes a conventional server software program such as International Business Machines&#39; Websphere®, for administering the interaction with equipment users. The server software includes application programs that enable the server  11  to manage the equipment database, user database and any other databases and execute various instructions in response to communications from various equipment users or clients  12 .  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 is an example of a client attempting to access a server according to the present invention. As illustrated, the user of equipment or workstation  20  seeks access over a computer network  26  to an exercise, usage or dietary record  30  located in a database  28  on a server  22  through the user&#39;s web browser  24 . The computer network  26  may be the Internet, an intranet, or other network. Server  22  may be a Web Application Server (WAS) such as WAS  11  shown in FIG. 1, a server application, a servlet process or the like. Optionally, client  20  submits the required user information to identify itself as being authorized to access the requested information. User information can include data such as a password or a combination of a user identification and password assigned by the server  22 . Web server  22  generates a graphical user interface that is displayed by the browser  24  providing the individual options to the client.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 depicts an example of a client-server system connected through the Internet  13 . In this example, a remote server system  42  is connected through the Internet to client system  40 . The client system  40  includes conventional components such as a processor  44 , memory  45  (e.g. RAM), a bus  46  which couples the processor  44  and memory  45 , a mass storage device  47  (e.g. a magnetic hard disk or an optical storage disk) coupled to the processor and memory through an I/O controller  48  and a network interface  49 , such as a conventional modem. The server system  42  also includes conventional components such as a processor  54 , memory  55  (e.g. RAM), a bus  56  which couples the processor  54  and memory  55 , a mass storage device  57  (e.g. a magnetic or optical disk) coupled to the processor  54  and memory  55  through an I/O controller  58  and a network interface  59 , such as a conventional modem. It will be appreciated from the description below that the present invention may be implemented in software that is stored as executable instructions on a computer readable medium on the client and server systems, such as mass storage devices  47  and  57  respectively, or in memories  45  and  55  respectively.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 shows a client computer system  60  that can run a browser. The computer system  60  includes a display device  62  (such as a monitor), a display screen  64 , a cabinet  66  (which encloses components typically found in a computer, such as CPU, RAM, ROM, video card, hard drive, sound card, serial ports, etc.), a keyboard  68 , a mouse  70 , and a modem  61 . Mouse  70  may have one or more buttons, such as buttons  65 . The computer requires some type of communication device such as modem  61  that allows computer system  60  to be connected to the Internet. Other possible communication devices include ethernet network cards.  
         [0031]    Centralized Fitness System  
         [0032]    The following section describes a centralized fitness system in accordance with the present invention. This description should be taken as an example of the invention as implemented and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an exercise apparatus  12  having a plurality of resistance mechanisms, wherein the exercise equipment  12  is shown as a treadmill. Specifically, the resistance mechanisms are a treadmill drive motor for controlling the speed of the belt  23  and an incline (lift) motor for controlling the lift arm  25 . As previously described, it will be understood that the system of the present invention can be applied to any type of equipment. Thus, the fitness device  12  is set forth only as an illustrative example of the type of equipment wherein the present invention can be advantageously applied. Furthermore, the fitness device  12  set forth is only a single example of the many types of fitness devices that can be used within the fitness system  10 . Additionally, the device  12  may be fully or partially manually operated, such as a handheld personal data assistant (“PDA”) into which the user types in data to log his running distance, time, repetitions and the like. The console  94  will include a display that is coupled to a controller located somewhere within the fitness device  12 . Most preferably, the controller will operate a browser to facilitate Internet communications with the server and other web sites.  
         [0034]    Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a block diagram representation of the controller  20  of the programmable fitness device  12 . The controller  20  can include a microprocessor  72 , a memory  74 , a timer  75  and input/output (I/O) circuitry  76  connected in a conventional manner. The memory  74  can include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), or any other type of storage means. The I/O circuitry  76  can include conventional buffers, drivers, relays and the like, such as for driving the motors  23 A,  25 A with sufficient power. Conventional circuitry for latching output signals from the microprocessor  72  is also ordinarily included in the output circuitry  76 . Thus, output signals from the microprocessor  72 , interfaced though the output circuitry  76 , control the drive motor  23 A and incline motor  25 A.  
         [0035]    The output signals of the microprocessor  72  also control the display  98  which can be located on a console  94  of the exercise equipment  12 . It will be understood that information representative of the operation of any of the devices included in the controller  20  can be interactively transmitted from the controller  20  to the server  11  by way of I/O circuitry  76  that is coupled to the Internet or other network system  13 .  
         [0036]    Since the speed and incline of the fitness device  12  is determined by the controller  20 , the controller  20  normally has all speed and grade information required to operate the fitness control device  12 . However, it is preferable to include a speed sensor for detecting the actual speed of the fitness device  12  and an incline sensor for determining the actual grade. Sensors suitable for this purpose are well known to those skilled in the art. For example, a speed sensor  78  can be a conventional Hall effect type sensor adapted to provide a value to the controller  20  that indicates the revolutions per minute of the drive roller  21 . The controller  20  can then convert the value received from speed sensor  78  to miles per hour. The incline sensor  80  can be any conventional sensor suitable for the purpose.  
         [0037]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the resistance levels of the resistance mechanisms  23 A,  25 A of the fitness device  12  can be varied with respect to one another according to the heart rate of the user. Additionally, the heart rate can be monitored for safety reasons by the controller  20  or the server  11 . Accordingly, the fitness device pulse detection circuitry  82  secured to the user by a strap  92  detects the user heart rate. A suitable timer, such as a timer  75 , is used to determine the rate of the pulse signals received from the detection circuitry  82 . Any conventional pulse detection circuitry  82  can be used provided it can supply a signal corresponding to the user heart rate for the input circuitry  76  of the controller  20 . The pulse detection circuitry  82  can include an electrocardiograph-type detection device that senses electric currents or electrical potentials on the user in order to provide a signal corresponding to the heart rate, or any other type of device that senses user heart rate and provides corresponding signals. The output of a transducer  84  within the pulse detection circuitry  82  can be amplified by an amplifier  86  and transmitted by a transmitter  88  to an I/O receiver  90 .  
         [0038]    Using the fitness system, a user at a user location can interact on-line with a live or programmable fitness expert located at the server  11  to engage in a real time two way communication regarding matters related to fitness, including matters such as exercise routines and exercise equipment. For example, the user can obtain advice on modifying an exercise routine as well as technical support information for various kinds of exercise equipment. In addition to interacting with a live fitness expert, a user of the fitness system at the user location can interactively obtain the control information from the server  11 . The communication can include the uploading and downloading of control information, as well as video and audio information, to the fitness device  12 . Such communications can be transmitted over fiber optics, wire or utilize wireless technology, such as Wireless Application Protocol (“WAP”) or Bluetooth based communication mechanisms.  
         [0039]    The control information transmitted from the server  11  can include control signals for directly controlling the fitness device  12 . However, in a preferred embodiment of the fitness system  10 , the control information from the server  11  can be a fitness equipment control program for execution by the controller  20 . In this preferred embodiment, the controller  20  provides the control signals required for controlling motors  23 A,  25 A according to the control program received from the server  11 . Additionally, a digest of information for each user of fitness system  10  can be accumulated by the server  11  and the control information can be determined according to the digest as well as the current user location information. For example, the web site can store a plurality of control programs and select a control program from the plurality according to the digest and the current user location information.  
         [0040]    Although user location information includes both user and location information it will be understood that the user location information at the server  11  can be associated with the actual user rather than any particular geographic location. In this way the user can use fitness system  10  from any location or piece of exercise equipment.  
         [0041]    Using the network  13  the user of the fitness system  10  can provide user location information, such as personal identification, heart rate, weight, age and gender, from the user location to the server  11 . The user location interactively applies and receives the interactive information from the server through the network  
         [0042]    Device information such as speed, incline and suspension can also be communicated by the user or automatically by way of the Internet system  13 . Any other information useful for interaction between the user location and the server  12  can also be applied to the Internet system  13 . The user information and the device information can be used by the server  11 , as well as by the controller  20 , to calculate, for example, calorie information. Calorie information calculated in this manner can be used to provide control signals for controlling the fitness device  12  according to the calorie information, both in a current exercise session and in a future one. Information within the fitness system  10  can also be interactively communicated to and from third party applications. An Internet browser  17  permits the user of equipment  12  to browse the Internet system  13  both during and between exercise sessions.  
         [0043]    In a preferred embodiment, the rate schedule includes instructions for adjusting the rate charged to users on the basis of current demand for the equipment being used. The current demand may be monitored in various ways, including the use of a pressure-sensitive mat or demand sensor  81  placed on the floor adjacent the equipment on which someone waiting for use of the equipment can stand. Alternatively, demand may be registered by a PDA-operated reservation-type system in which individual&#39;s that want to use the equipment transmit a request to the equipment controller to reserve a place in line. The controller may communicate to the PDA how many other individuals are waiting on the equipment, estimate the wait time, and notify the individual when it is their turn. In some contexts, it may be appropriate to have an auction-type system that awards use of the equipment to the highest bidder.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the steps taken by the fitness server  11  in accounting for equipment usage. In state  102 , the server receives a transmission that allows the server to identify the user and the equipment being used. In state  104 , the server determines the rate schedule to be applied based upon the identified user, the identified equipment, current demand conditions, and any promotional considerations. In state  106 , the server monitors the amount of usage attributable to the user and the identified equipment. Only upon detecting that the equipment has become idle in state  108 , does the server create an event record to be stored in the accounting database in state  110 . At a minimum, the event record will debit the users account. More preferably, the event record will record the identified user, identified equipment, user performance information (such as distance, calories, weight, etc.), a time stamp, and any special pricing considerations. The server utilizes the data in the event record to calculate the user fee, preferably using an algorithm that considers demand conditions at the time the equipment was used. In this later manner, the user can be provided with a fully detailed accounting that explains the amounts charged to him. If the user is identified as moving to another device in state  112 , then the process returns to state  102 . However, if the user is not identified as using any equipment for a timeout period, then the server in state  114  considers the user&#39;s session to be complete. Accordingly, the user&#39;s health and fitness profile may be updated.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 8 is a structural diagram illustrating fitness equipment  12  communicating through the network  13  to the integrated server  11 . The integrated server  11  includes, or is in communication with, an accounting system or server  130  for determining the user fees to be charged for using one or more fitness device  12 . In making a user fee determination, the accounting server  130  must execute certain instructions maintained in the usage pricing database  132  relating to the extent of usage, but preferably also including other instructions relating to the demand for the equipment. These other instructions include, but are not limited to, charging more during busy periods or when there is a long waiting line (high user demand), charging more for the most popular devices, charging less during off-peak hours, charging less during a promotional period, preferential treatment for identified customers, and the like. The usage pricing database  132  is also responsible for maintaining user event records, or at a minimum accumulating total user fees, so that the appropriate amounts can be charged to each user.  
         [0046]    The structure in FIG. 8 illustrates a preferred fitness system that includes, or is in communication with, an exercise profiler or server  134  and a dietary profiler or server  138 . The electronic exercise profiler  134  maintains the exercise habits and activity database  136  that tracks exercise habits of individual users by storing prior exercise data to create a user exercise profile. Preferably, the fitness profiler  134  communicates with the equipment  12  that is identified as being used by a user that has a fitness profile therein. The communication may include a control signal that automatically performs fitness settings, selected exercise programs and settings (such as duration, level, and type of exercise), or acts as a consultant providing advice. The electronic dietary profiler  138  maintains the diet profile database  140  for making appropriate diet suggestions or menus and, optionally, receiving and storing calorie intake information such as by scanning food items.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the steps taken by the integrated server  11 . In states  150  and  152 , the integrated server consults the electronic exercise profiler and the electronic dietary profiler, although the order of these steps is not important. In state  154 , the integrated server creates a representation of an integrated profile. The user is then advised, in state  156 , regarding fitness settings, as well as fitness and dietary advise. Upon conclusion of the exercise event as set out in FIG. 7, the server  11  updates, in state  158 , the exercise database  136  and the dietary database  140  with data about the user&#39;s activity. Specifically, the exercise database  136  may be given data about speed, incline, duration, and heart beat, while the dietary database  140  may be given data about the number of calories burned and the manually entered weight of the user. If there are no other detected events for the user, as determined in state  160 , then the process exits in state  162 . However, if the user begins another exercise or requests additional advise, then the process may return to state  150 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the steps taken by the electronic exercise profiler  134  during state  150  of FIG. 9. In state  170 , the electronic exercise profiler tracks exercise habits and activities that are either manually entered or automatically received from the equipment  12 . In state  172 , the profiler communicates fitness settings and/or programs to the fitness equipment  12  that are selected on the basis of the exercise habits and activities tracked in state  170  and stored in database  136  during previous exercise sessions. The user&#39;s exercise profile is then updated in state  174 . If there are no other detected events for the user, as determined in state  176 , then the process exits in state  178  (moving to state  152 ). However, if the user begins another exercise or requests additional advise, then the process may return to state  172 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the steps taken by the electronic dietary profiler  138  during state  152  of FIG. 9. The profiler  138  consults with the users dietary profile stored in the database  140  in state  180 . Based upon the dietary profile, perhaps including the user&#39;s weight, exercise frequency and calories burned, and any nutritional information scanned or manually provided, the profiler  138 , in state  182 , provides dietary advise or suggestions to the user on the display  94  of equipment  12 . The user&#39;s dietary profile in database  140  is then updated in state  184 . If there are no other detected events for the user, as determined in state  186 , then the process exits in state  188  (moving to state  154 ). However, if the user begins another exercise or requests additional advise, then the process may return to state  182 .  
         [0050]    It will be understood from the foregoing description that various modifications and changes may be made in the preferred embodiment of the present invention without departing from its true spirit. It is intended that this description is for purposes of illustration only and should not be construed in a limiting sense. The scope of this invention should be limited only by the language of the following claims.