Method and apparatus to track rest time during a fitness exercise

• US 20050219956A1
• Filed: 03/30/2004
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vladimir Gershman
• Original Assignee: Vladimir Gershman
• Inventors: Gershman, Vladimir
• Application Number:
  US10/708,898
• Publication Number:
  US 20050219956A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/110
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/005 using electronic timing, e.g. counting means pulse time delay arrangements H03K5/13; modifications of electronic switches for introducing a time delay before switching H03K17/28

Abstract

Device in the present invention is a rest timer is that is easy to use and can be mounted on a frame of a weight lifting equipment. The device comprises four preset buttons, which set commonly used rest times. The time is displayed on LCD display. Pressing a button starts the rest time countdown. After the countdown reaches zero an audio signal sounds and the display shows the preset value again. The rest value can be adjusted by using up/down buttons. The device uses a microprocessor to control LCD display, timing and buttons. This allows for a very low component count and ease of manufacturing. User-friendly buttons layout makes the device suitable to use by any level or skill fitness club participant. The device is powered by a battery and can last a long time thanks to power-saving logic of a computer program running on the microprocessor.

Claims

1. A method and apparatus to track rest time during a fitness exercise and comprising:

LCD display with a driver,

Preset buttons,

Up/down increment/decrement buttons,

Audio device,

An enclosure,

A battery holder,

A battery,

A microprocessor,

A program executing on the microprocessor.

2. A method and apparatus in claim 1 where a program executing on the said microprocessor comprises functions:

To count down from 999 seconds to zero,

To countdown and display the value in decrements of 1 second

To display the rest time during countdown and set up

To generate audio signal upon countdown completion

To control all buttons, LCD, and initiate standby mode

3. A method and apparatus in claim 1, where a user-friendly interface layout for set up and viewing is used comprising:

Large LCD digits

Buttons with preset popular rest times to allow one button set up

Ability to set custom rest time

Easy battery replacement

Automatic resets to a default at the end of countdown after audio alarm

Start at default value

Keeping the unit continuously ready with no need for a power switch

4. A method and apparatus in claim 1, where the device is easy to mount on existing equipment using Velcro, epoxy or magnetized backing

5. A method and apparatus in claim 1, where buttons with presetpopular rest times allow one button set up and quick start

6. A method and apparatus in claim 1, where energy saving is done using standby mode and low power microprocessor and LCD display

7. A method and apparatus in claim 1, where labeling on the panel is used for preset buttons.

8. A method and apparatus in claim 1 where a single microprocessor comprising internal ROM, RAM and flash memories, internal clock and timers is used to control all external input/outputs.

9. A method and apparatus in claim 1, where no power switch is used and the unit is always on.