Patent ID: 7556590

Claim:
A system configured to enable a plurality of users to compete in a virtual race, the system comprising: a first exercise device communicatively connected to a first computer device, the first exercise device being adapted to communicate using an exercise communication protocol and the first computer device being adapted to communicate using a computer communication protocol, the exercise communication protocol and the computer communication protocol being different types of communication protocols, wherein the first computer device is configured to monitor use of the first exercise device relative to a first start time, and wherein the communication of the first exercise device and the first computer device is facilitated by a first translator device adapted to translate data between the exercise communication protocol and the computer communication protocol; a second exercise device communicatively connected to a second computer device, the second exercise device being adapted to communicate using the exercise communication protocol and the second computer device being adapted to communicate using the computer communication protocol, wherein the second computer device is configured to monitor use of the second exercise device relative to a second start time, and wherein the communication of the second exercise device and the second computer device is facilitated by a second translator device adapted to translate data between the exercise communication protocol and the computer communication protocol; means for comparing the use of the first exercise device relative to the first start time with the use of the second exercise device relative to the second start time; and means for providing communication between the first computer device, the second computer device and the comparing means.