Internet Enabled Motivational Exercise System and Apparatus

• US 20080032864A1
• Filed: 08/04/2006
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ayman Hakki
• Original Assignee: Ayman Hakki
• Inventors: Hakki, Ayman
• Application Number:
  US11/462,522
• Publication Number:
  US 20080032864A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/065 within a certain range
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/067 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0035 on the spot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means

Abstract

An exercise apparatus and method comprises an internet enabled display device operatively connected to the exercise apparatus such as a treadmill allowing a user to exercise while using the internet for emailing, shopping or general browsing. At least one thumb activated input device is disposed on a gripping area of the apparatus allowing a user to control a pointing device while exercising. In order to motivate the user to maintain and meet optimum physiological reading parameters, the apparatus utilizes a control system that varies the output to the display device depending on the user'"'"'s activity. If the heart-rate or other physiological reading indicator is outside of selected goal parameters, the display becomes less useable. As the user adjusts the level of exercise output and returns within the acceptable parameters, the display is restored to optimum usability.

Claims

1. An internet enabled exercise system and apparatus comprising:

a frame;

an exercise element moveably attached to said frame;

a display adapted to display information to a user;

at least one sensor to detect at least one physiological reading of said user;

a control system to analyze and operate on said at least one physiological reading;

said control system also being adapted to vary the usability of said display based on said at least one physiological reading;

at least one handrail disposed on said frame adapted to support said user; and

at least one input device disposed on said at least one handrail adapted to input information to said control system.

2. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said exercise element is a treadmill track.

3. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said exercise element is a stair stepper.

4. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said exercise element is stationary bicycle.

5. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the usability of said display is varied by defocusing said display when said at least one physiological reading is outside a predetermined range.

6. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the usability of said display is varied by fading the output of said display when said at least one physiological reading is outside a predetermined range.

7. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the usability of said display is varied by flashing said display when said at least one physiological reading is outside a predetermined range.

8. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the usability of said display is varied by displaying a message on top of said information displayed when said at least one physiological reading is outside a predetermined range.

9. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one physiological reading includes a heart-rate reading.

10. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one input device is a thumb activated input device.

11. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor is a motion sensor.

12. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising a console disposed on a visible portion of said at least one handrail whereby said at least one physiological reading is displayed to said user.

13. An internet enabled exercise system and apparatus comprising:

an exercise apparatus capable of being connected to an electronic network;

means for sensing at least one physiological reading from a user and for preparing the sensed reading for use as a control signal;

means for displaying networked information to said user; and

means for adjusting the usability of said network information based on said control signal.

14. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said means for sensing at least one physiological reading is a rotary motion sensing device.

15. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said means for sensing at least one physiological reading is a heart-rate sensing device.

16. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said at least one physiological reading includes a heart-rate reading.

17. An exercise system and apparatus comprising:

at least one CPU with associated hardware and software for controlling said exercise system and apparatus;

an internet access device operatively connected to said CPU;

at least one sensing device for converting at least one physiological reading into useable input for said CPU; and

a display for displaying internet information wherein said display usability is varied based on the output from said at least one sensing device.

18. The exercise system and apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said internet access device is a modem.

19. The exercise system and apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising a console whereby at least one physiological reading is displayed to a user.

20. The exercise system and apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said at least one physiological reading includes a heart-rate reading.