INTERACTIVE FITNESS EQUIPMENT

• US 20020055418A1
• Filed: 08/13/1999
• Published: 05/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Epix Incorporated (Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Epix Incorporated (Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation)
• Inventors: PYLES, NATHAN, STANZIANO, STEVEN M.
• Application Number:
  US09/374,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20020055418A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/305 Remote servicing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular fitness device consisting of a stationary fitness device with a video display mounted thereon, an electronic media interface and an exercise sensor. The interface enables connection of the display to one or more of a variety of electronic media, including PC, video/audio recorder, set top box, games console etc. Preferably, a connection to the internet can be provided. User interfaces for control of the device can include a combination of voice-activation, a touch mouse pad or a keyboard movably attached to the device.

Claims

1. A modular fitness device comprising:

a stationary exercise device;

a video display monitor mounted on the exercise device; and

an electronic media interface mounted on the exercise device.

2. The modular fitness device of claim 1, and further comprising:

an exercise sensor mounted on the exercise device, for generating signals corresponding to an exercise condition; and

the electronic media interface for receiving the signals from the exercise sensor.

3. The modular fitness device of claim 2, wherein the exercise sensor generates signals corresponding to a plurality of exercise conditions.

4. The modular fitness device of claim 2, wherein the exercise sensor is selected from the group consisting of:

a tachometer;

a heart rate monitor;

an odometer;

a variable resistance mechanism;

belt speed monitor;

tilt monitor; and

torque sensor.

5. The modular fitness device of claim 2, wherein the electronic media interface further comprises an activity-based controller for processing exercise condition signals and generating exercise device control signals.

6. The modular fitness device of claim 5, wherein the activity-based controller includes a programmable operator interface.

7. The modular fitness device of claim 1, wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to an Internet site.

8. The modular fitness device of claim 1, wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to a digital playback device.

9. The modular fitness device of claim 1, and further comprising:

a data processor in signal communication with the electronic media interface.

10. The modular fitness device of claim 1, and further comprising:

a voice-activated operator input.

11. The modular fitness device of claim 1, and further comprising:

a second display monitor mountable on an exercise device.

12. The modular fitness device of claim 1, wherein the video display monitor is a flat screen television.

13. The modular fitness device of claim 1, and further comprising:

a touch mouse pad mounted on the exercise device.

14. The modular fitness device of claim 1, and further comprising:

a keyboard movably attached to the exercise device.

16. The modular fitness device of claim 15, wherein the exercise sensor generates signals corresponding to a plurality of exercise conditions.

17. The modular fitness device of claim 15, wherein the exercise sensor is selected from the group consisting of:

a tachometer;

a heart rate monitor;

an odometer;

a variable resistance mechanism;

belt speed monitor;

tilt monitor; and

torque sensor.

18. The modular fitness device of claim 15, wherein the electronic media interface further comprises an activity-based controller for processing exercise condition signals and generating exercise device control signals.

19. The modular fitness device of claim 18, wherein the activity-based controller is a programmable operator interface.

20. The modular fitness device of claim 15, wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to an Internet site where the signals from the exercise sensor are analyzed.

21. The modular fitness device of claim 15, wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to a data display unit.

22. The modular fitness device of claim 15, and further comprising:

a data processor in signal communication with the electronic media interface.

23. The modular fitness device of claim 15, and further comprising:

an voice-activated operator input.

24. The modular fitness device of claim 15, and further comprising:

a second display monitor mountable on the exercise device.

25. The modular fitness device of claim 15, wherein the video display monitor is a flat screen television.

26. The modular fitness device of claim 15, and further comprising:

a touch mouse pad mounted on the exercise device.

27. The modular fitness device of claim 15, and further comprising:

a keyboard movably attached to the exercise device.

29. The modular fitness device of claim 28, wherein the exercise sensor generates signals corresponding to a plurality of exercise conditions.

30. The modular fitness device of claim 28, wherein the exercise sensor is selected from the group consisting of:

a tachometer;

a heart rate monitor;

an odometer;

a variable resistance mechanism;

belt speed monitor;

tilt monitor; and

torque sensor.

31. The modular fitness device of claim 28, wherein the electronic media interface further comprises an activity-based controller for processing exercise condition signals and generating exercise device control signals.

32. The modular fitness device of claim 31, wherein the activity-based controller includes a programmable operator interface.

33. The modular fitness device of claim 28, wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to an Internet site.

34. The modular fitness device of claim 28, wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to a digital playback device.

35. The modular fitness device of claim 28, and further comprising:

a data processor in signal communication with the electronic media interface.

36. The modular fitness device of claim 28, and further comprising:

a second display monitor mountable on the exercise device.

37. The modular fitness device of claim 28, wherein the video display monitor is a flat screen television.

38. The modular fitness device of claim 28, and further comprising:

a touch mouse pad mounted on the exercise device.

39. The modular fitness device of claim 28, and further comprising:

a keyboard movably attached to the exercise device.

15. A modular fitness device comprising:

an exercise sensor mountable to an exercise device, for generating exercise signals corresponding to an exercise condition; and

an electronic media interface for receiving the signals from the exercise sensor.

28. A modular fitness device comprising:

a stationary exercise device;

a video display monitor mounted on the exercise device;

an electronic media interface mounted on the exercise device;

an exercise sensor mounted on the stationary exercise device, for generating signals corresponding to an exercise condition; and

a voice-activated operator input for controlling electronic media.

40. A modular fitness device comprising:

a stationary exercise device;

a video display monitor mounted on the exercise device;

an electronic media interface mounted on the exercise device;

an exercise sensor mounted on the stationary device, for generating signals corresponding to an exercise condition;

a voice-activated operator input for controlling electronic media; and

a personal computer mounted on the exercise device, the personal computer including digital data drives.

41. The modular fitness device of claim 40, wherein the exercise sensor generates signals corresponding to a plurality of exercise conditions.

42. The modular fitness device of claim 40, wherein the exercise sensor is selected from the group consisting of:

a tachometer;

a heart rate monitor;

an odometer;

a variable resistance mechanism;

belt speed monitor;

tilt monitor; and

torque sensor.

43. The modular fitness device of claim 40, wherein the electronic media interface further comprises an activity-based controller for processing exercise condition signals and generating exercise device control signals.

44. The modular fitness device of claim 43, wherein the activity-based controller includes a programmable operator interface.

45. The modular fitness device of claim 40, wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to an Internet site.

46. The modular fitness device of claim 40, wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to a digital playback device.

47. The modular fitness device of claim 40, and further comprising:

a data processor in signal communication with the electronic media interface.

48. The modular fitness device of claim 40, and further comprising:

a second display monitor mountable on the exercise device.

49. The modular fitness device of claim 40, wherein the video display monitor is a flat screen television.

50. The modular fitness device of claim 40, and further comprising:

a touch mouse pad mounted on the exercise device.

51. The modular fitness device of claim 40, and further comprising:

a keyboard movably attached to the exercise device.