METHODS AND APPARATUS TO DETERMINE BELT CONDITION IN EXERCISE EQUIPMENT

• US 20080242510A1
• Filed: 07/11/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Life Fitness LLC
• Original Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Inventors: Hough, Jack, Golen, Emil, Halsted, Kimberly, Skleba, James, Topel, Gregory John, Oglesby, Gary E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,814,804 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/30 Maintenance
• 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 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 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases

Abstract

Systems, methods and machine readable media related to determining a condition of an exercise machine belt are disclosed. An example system includes a sensor to detect an event related to the exercise machine belt. The example system also includes a counter to selectively change a count based on the event as well as an output device to output a notification associated with the condition of the exercise machine belt based on the count.

Claims

1. A system to determine a condition of an exercise machine belt, the system comprising:

a sensor to detect an event related to the exercise machine belt;

a counter to selectively change a count based on the event; and

an output device to output a notification associated with the condition of the exercise machine belt based on the count.

2. A system to determine a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 1, wherein the event is an increase in a time to reach a selected speed.

3. A system to determine a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 1, wherein the counter is to selectively change the count based on the event and a user'"'"'s speed.

4. A system to determine a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 3, wherein the user'"'"'s speed is below a threshold.

5. A system to determine a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 1, wherein the counter is to selectively change the count based on the event and a mileage associated with the exercise machine belt.

6. A system to determine a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 1, wherein the counter is to selectively change the count based on the event and a user'"'"'s weight per speed.

7. A system to determine a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 6, wherein the user'"'"'s weight per speed is below a maximum weight per speed at which the event is expected to occur.

8. A system to determine a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 1, wherein the notification is at least one of an audio signal or a visual signal.

9. A system to determine a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 1, further comprising a log including a history of notifications.

10. A system to determine a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 1, further comprising a motor controller to limit current in response to the event.

11. A method for determining a condition of an exercise machine belt, the method comprising:

sensing an event associated with the exercise machine belt;

selectively changing a count based on the event; and

outputting a notification associated with the condition of the exercise machine belt based on the count.

12. A method for determining a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 11, wherein the event is an increase in a time to reach a selected speed.

13. A method for determining a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 11, wherein selectively changing the count comprises changing the count based on the event and a user'"'"'s speed.

14. A method for determining a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 13, wherein the user'"'"'s speed is below a threshold.

15. A method for determining a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 11, wherein selectively changing the count comprises changing the count based on the event and a mileage associated with the exercise machine belt.

16. A method for determining a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 11, wherein selectively changing the count comprises changing the count based on the event and a user'"'"'s weight per speed.

17. A method for determining a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 16, wherein the user'"'"'s weight per speed is below a maximum weight per speed at which the event is expected to occur.

18. A method for determining a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 11, wherein the notification is at least one of an audio signal or a visual signal.

19. A method for determining a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 11, further comprising storing the notification in a log.

20. A method for determining a condition of an exercise machine belt as defined in claim 11, further comprising using a motor controller to limit current in response to the event.

21. A machine readable medium which, when read, causes a machine to:

detect an event associated with the exercise machine belt;

selectively change a count based on the event; and

output a notification associated with a condition of the exercise machine belt based on the count.

22. A machine readable medium as defined in claim 21, wherein the event is an increase in time to reach a selected speed.

23. A machine readable medium as defined in claim 21 which, when read, causes the machine to selectively change the count based on the event and a user'"'"'s speed.

24. A machine readable medium as defined in claim 23, wherein the user'"'"'s speed is below a threshold.

25. A machine readable medium as defined in claim 21 which, when read, causes the machine to selectively change the count based on the event and a mileage associated with the exercise machine belt.

26. A machine readable medium as defined in claim 21 which, when read, causes the machine to selectively change the count based on the event and a user'"'"'s weight per speed.

27. A machine readable medium as defined in claim 26, wherein the user'"'"'s weight per speed is below a maximum weight per speed at which the event is expected to occur.

28. A system to determine a condition of an exercise machine belt, the system comprising:

means to detect an event related to the exercise machine belt;

means to change a count based on the event; and

means to output a notification associated with the condition of the exercise machine based on the count.