SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A BICYCLE TRAINER

• US 20140171266A1
• Filed: 12/19/2013
• Published: 06/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wahoo Fitness LLC
• Original Assignee: Wahoo Fitness LLC
• Inventors: Hawkins, Harold M. III, Lyle, Michael A., Collins, Bradley Jaymes
• Granted Patent: US 10,046,222 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/5
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0081 Coaching or training aspects related to a group of users
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/009 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled in synchronism with visualising systems, e.g. hill slope
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/165 rear wheel hub supports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0052 induced by electromagnets A63B21/0056 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/16 for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop

Abstract

A system and method for controlling an exercise device are provided herein. The system includes a memory having computer-executable instructions and at least one processor to execute the computer-executable instructions to wirelessly connect the exercise device, receive a training mode, receive at least one variable for determining a power set point, determine the power set point responsive to the training mode and the at least one variable and control a magnetic brake assembly in the exercise device responsive to the power set point.

Claims

1. An exercise device, comprising:

a memory having computer-executable instructions; and

at least one processor to execute the computer-executable instructions to;

wirelessly connect the exercise device;

receive a training mode;

receive at least one variable for determining a power set point;

determine the power set point responsive to the training mode and the at least one variable; and

control a magnetic brake assembly in the exercise device responsive to the power set point.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, the at least one processor further to:

measure an instantaneous speed of a rider of the exercise device;

determine a power that the rider is using to pedal the exercise device based on the instantaneous speed and a torque measurement; and

adjust electromagnetic braking provided by the magnetic brake assembly responsive to a difference between the power and the power set point.

3. The exercise device of claim 1, the at least one processor further to:

transmit realtime ride information including the power.

4. The exercise device of claim 1, the at least one processor further to:

receive an update to at least one of the training mode and the at least one variable via the wireless protocol; and

adjust the power set point responsive to the update to the at least one of the training mode and the at least one variable.

5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the memory comprises firmware for the exercise device.

6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the at least one variable comprises at least one of a static variable and a dynamic variable.

7. The exercise device of claim 6, wherein the at least one static variable comprises weight, coefficient of rolling resistance, coefficient of wind resistance, frontal area, and air density.

8. The exercise device of claim 6, wherein the at least one dynamic variable comprises speed and power and the dynamic variables comprises grade and wind speed.

9. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the speed and the power are measured by the exercise device and the grade and the wind speed are communicated to the exercise device.

10. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the training mode comprises one of a normal mode, a simulation mode, an ergometer mode, and a resistance mode.

11. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the training mode comprises simulation mode and the at least one variable comprises a grade, a wind speed, and a bicycle type, the at least one processor further to determine the power set point responsive to the simulation mode, the grade, the wind speed, and the bicycle type.

12. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the training mode comprises simulation mode and the at least one variable comprises course information for a course and a bicycle type, the at least one processor further to determine the power set point responsive to the simulation mode, the course information for the course, and the bicycle type.

13. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the training mode comprises normal mode and the at least one variable comprises a level from 0-9, the at least one processor further to determine the power set point responsive to the normal mode and the level from 0-9.

14. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the training mode comprises ergometer mode and the at least one variable comprises a target power, the at least one processor further to determine the power set point responsive to the ergometer mode and the target power.

15. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the training mode comprises resistance mode and the at least one variable comprises a percentage of resistance in a range of 0 to 100%, the at least one processor further to determine the power set point responsive to the resistance mode and the percentage of resistance in the range of 0 to 100%.

16. The exercise device of claim 1, the at least one processor further to pair the exercise device using a wireless protocol comprising one of ANT+ and Bluetooth and to receive the training mode and the at least one variable for determining the power in a message encoded according to an application programming interface.

50. The system of claim 1, the at least one processor further to:

configure a connection with a computing device;

execute a receiver that continually waits to receive a message having a particular format sent from the computing device;

receive by the receiver the message having the particular format, the message having the training mode and the at least one variable; and

transmit to the computing device in another message having the particular format realtime information responsive to the power and the power set point.

17. A device, comprising:

a memory comprising computer-executable instructions; and

at least one processor to execute the computer-executable instructions to;

wirelessly connect the device generate and display a user interface on a display of the device;

receive input of a training mode and at least one variable for determining a power set point; and

transmit the training mode and the at least one variable for determining power set point.

18. The device of claim 17, the at least one processor further to:

receive realtime ride information including a current power; and

display the realtime ride information within the user interface on the display of the device.

19. The device of claim 17, the at least one processor further to:

receive an update to at least one of the training mode and the at least one variable for determining the power set point; and

transmit the update to the at least one of the training mode and the at least one variable for determining the power set point.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the at least one variable comprises at least one of a static variable and a dynamic variable.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the at least one static variable comprises weight, coefficient of rolling resistance, coefficient of wind resistance, frontal area, and air density.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the at least one dynamic variable comprise grade and wind speed.

23. The device of claim 17, wherein the training mode comprises one of a normal mode, a simulation mode, an ergometer mode, and a resistance mode.

24. The device of claim 17, wherein the training mode comprises simulation mode and the at least one variable comprises a grade, a wind speed, and a bicycle type, the at least one processor further to transmit the simulation mode, the grade, the wind speed, and the bicycle type.

25. The device of claim 17, wherein the training mode comprises simulation mode and the at least one variable comprises course information for a course and a bicycle type, the at least one processor further to transmit the simulation mode, the course information for the course, and the bicycle type.

26. The device of claim 17, wherein the training mode comprises normal mode and the at least one variable comprises a level from 0-9, the at least one processor further to transmit the normal mode, and the level from 0-9.

27. The device of claim 17, wherein the training mode comprises ergometer mode and the at least one variable comprises a target power, the at least one processor further to transmit the ergometer mode and the target power.

28. The device of claim 17, wherein the training mode comprises resistance mode and the at least one variable comprises a percentage of resistance in a range of 0 to 100%, the at least one processor further to transmit the resistance mode and the percentage of resistance in the range of 0 to 100%.

29. The device of claim 17, the at least one processor further to pair the device using a wireless protocol comprising one of ANT+ and Bluetooth and to transmit the training mode and the at least one variable for determining the power in a message encoded according to an application programming interface.

51. The device of claim 17, the at least one processor further to:

configure a connection with an exercise device;

transmit the training mode and the at least one variable to the exercise device in a message having a particular format; and

receive from the exercise device in another message having the particular format realtime information responsive to a current power and the power point set point.

30. A system, comprising:

a computing device comprising a second memory and at least one second processor to receive input comprising a training mode and at least one variable for determining a power set point, and to transmit the training mode and the at least one variable for determining the power set point to an exercise device via a wireless interface using an application programming interface; and

an exercise device comprising a first memory and at least one first processor to receive the training mode and the at least one variable for determining the power set point, the training mode and the at least one variable received via the wireless interface using the application programming interface.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the at least one first processor determines the power set point responsive to the training mode and the at least one variable, and controls a magnetic braking assembly in the bicycle trainer responsive to the power set point.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the at least one first processor measures an instantaneous speed of a rider of the bicycle trainer, determines a power that the rider is using to pedal the bicycle trainer based on the instantaneous speed and a torque measurement and adjusts electromagnetic braking provided by the magnetic braking assembly responsive to a difference between the power and the power set point.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein the at least one first processor in the bicycle trainer transmits realtime ride information including the power to the at least one second processor in the computing device using the application programming interface.

34. The system of claim 30, wherein the at least one second processor in the computing device displays a user interface to receive the training mode and the at least one variable.

35. The system of claim 30, wherein the at least one second processor receives an update to one of the training mode and the at least one variable and transmits the update to one of the training mode and the at least one variable to the at least one first processor in the exercise device using the application programming interface.

36. A method, comprising:

wirelessly connecting, by at least one processor, an exercise device;

receiving, by the at least one processor, a training mode and at least one variable for determining a power set point;

determining, by the at least one processor, the power set point responsive to the training mode and the at least one variable; and

controlling, by the at least one processor, a magnetic brake assembly in the exercise device responsive to the power set point.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

measuring an instantaneous speed of a rider of the exercise device;

determining a power that the rider is using to pedal the bicycle trainer based on the instantaneous speed and a torque measurement from the exercise device; and

adjusting electromagnetic braking provided by the magnetic brake assembly responsive to a difference between the power and the power set point.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

transmitting realtime ride information including the power.

39. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

receiving an update to at least one of the training mode and the at least one variable; and

adjusting the power set point responsive to the update to the at least one of the training mode and the at least one variable.

40. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

pairing the exercise device using a wireless protocol comprising one of ANT+ and Bluetooth; and

transmitting the training mode and the at least one variable for determining the power in a message encoded according to an application programming interface.

41. A device, comprising:

a memory comprising an application having computer-executable instructions; and

at least one processor to execute the application to;

pair the device using a wireless protocol;

generate and display a main user interface on a display of the device;

display a training mode selection user interface as a sub-interface within the main user interface;

receive a training mode responsive to a selection from the training mode selection user interface;

display a variable selection user interface;

receive at least one variable for determining a power set point responsive to a selection from the variable selection user interface;

transmit via the wireless protocol the riding mode and the at least one variable in a message encoded according to an application programming interface; and

receive via the wireless protocol and display within the main user interface realtime information sent in a message encoded according to the application programming interface.

42. A method, comprising:

pairing, by at least one processor, a computing device using a wireless protocol;

generating and displaying, by the at least one processor, a main user interface on a display of the computing device;

displaying, by the at least one processor, a training mode selection user interface as a sub-interface within the main user interface;

receiving, by the at least one processor, a training mode responsive to a selection from the training mode selection user interface;

displaying, by the at least one processor, a variable selection user interface as a sub-interface within the main user interface;

receiving, by the at least one processor, at least one variable for determining a power set point responsive to a selection from the variable selection user interface;

transmitting, by the at least one processor, via the wireless protocol the riding mode and the at least one variable in a message encoded according to an application programming interface; and

receiving via the wireless protocol and displaying within the main user interface, by the at least one processor, realtime information sent in a message encoded according to the application programming interface.

43. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one computing device, cause the at least one computing device to perform operations comprising:

pairing the at least one computing device using a wireless protocol;

generating and displaying a main user interface on a display;

displaying a training mode selection user interface as a sub-interface within the main user interface;

receiving a training mode responsive to a selection from the training mode selection user interface;

displaying a variable selection user interface as a sub-interface within the main user interface;

receiving at least one variable for determining a power set point responsive to a selection from the variable selection user interface;

transmitting via the wireless protocol the riding mode and the at least one variable in a message encoded according to an application programming interface; and

receiving via the wireless protocol and displaying within the main user interface realtime information sent in a message encoded according to the application programming interface.

44. A method, comprising:

pairing an exercise device having at least one first processor with a computing device having at least one second processor using a wireless protocol;

executing, by the at least one second processor, an application and displaying a user interface for interacting with the exercise device;

receiving, by the at least one second processor, input comprising a training mode and at least one variable for determining a power set point;

transmitting, by the at least one second processor, the training mode and the at least one variable via the wireless protocol using an application programming interface;

receiving, by the at least one first processor, the training mode and the at least one variable via the wireless protocol using the application programming interface;

determining, by the at least one first processor, the power set point responsive to the riding mode and the at least one variable; and

controlling, by the at least one first processor, a magnetic brake assembly in the exercise device responsive to the power set point.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

measuring, by the at least one first processor, an instantaneous speed of a rider of the exercise device;

determining, by the at least one first processor, a power that the rider is using to pedal the bicycle trainer based on the instantaneous speed and a torque measurement from the exercise device; and

adjusting, by the at least one first processor, electromagnetic braking provided by the magnetic brake assembly responsive to a difference between the power and the power set point.

46. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

transmitting, by the at least one first processor, realtime ride information including the power using the application programming interface;

receiving, by the at least one second processor, the realtime ride information including the power using the application programming interface; and

displaying, by the at least one second processor, the realtime ride information including the power within the user interface.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein the wireless protocol comprises one of ANT+ and Bluetooth.

48. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

adjusting, by the at least one first processor, electromagnetic braking provided by the magnetic brake assembly responsive to at least one of a cadence of the exercise device and a heart rate of a user of the exercise device.

49. The method of claim 44, wherein the application programming interface is part of a framework bundled within the application.