Interactive exercise system and attachment module for same
First Claim
1. An interactive exercise system, attachable to an existing piece of conventional exercise equipment having at least one periodically moving part, comprising:
- a central processing unit (CPU);
a memory device connected to said CPU, with information being stored on said memory device in discrete packets of information;
a user sensory interface, connected to said CPU, presenting said information from said memory device to the user in discrete packets of information, said CPU accessing said memory device to control the presentation of said information by said user sensory interface;
a sensor attached to the periodically moving part of the equipment and connected to said CPU, said sensor detecting motion of the moving part and sending a first signal to said CPU; and
at least one touch switch attachable to the equipment and connected to said CPU, said touch switch selectively sending a second signal to said CPU, wherein said CPU controls said information presented by said user sensory interface based on at least one of said first and second signals.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved interactive exercise system is disclosed. A simplified device for connecting fitness equipment such as an exercise bicycle to a computer is equipped with a game control device (e.g. industry standard computers equipped with a joystick or game port adapter). The invention also includes a self-contained exercise device. The act of exercising is converted into signals by a sensor which are then counted by the software and used to control an audio-visual display in such a way that pedaling speed can control the speed of what is been viewed. Hand operated switches allow the user to chose directions when the display indicates the user has come to a turning point. Various exercise parameters and progress towards goals are shown in a window on the display. Parameters and exercise data can be stored, reviewed, and used during other sessions. When used as an interactive exercise touring system, the user can literally pedal his way around the world, through the universe, or even through the human body, seeing the sights on the display screen and listening to a narrator describe what is being seen. By depressing the appropriate touch switches, the user can retrieve more information about a particular area and has the ability to pause the presentation at any time independent of the exercise activity. The device is linkable to other devices so that multiple users can tour a place together or compete against each other.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. An interactive exercise system, attachable to an existing piece of conventional exercise equipment having at least one periodically moving part, comprising:
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a central processing unit (CPU);
a memory device connected to said CPU, with information being stored on said memory device in discrete packets of information;
a user sensory interface, connected to said CPU, presenting said information from said memory device to the user in discrete packets of information, said CPU accessing said memory device to control the presentation of said information by said user sensory interface;
a sensor attached to the periodically moving part of the equipment and connected to said CPU, said sensor detecting motion of the moving part and sending a first signal to said CPU; and
at least one touch switch attachable to the equipment and connected to said CPU, said touch switch selectively sending a second signal to said CPU, wherein said CPU controls said information presented by said user sensory interface based on at least one of said first and second signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
pause the refreshment of said information;
access more detailed aspects of said information;
change said second rate independently of said first rate; and
present secondary exercise information on said user sensory interface based on said first signal, wherein said CPU calculates said secondary exercise information based on said first signal.
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6. An interactive exercise system according to claim 5, further comprising memory, connected to said CPU, upon which said secondary exercise information is storable and retrievable.
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7. An interactive exercise system according to claim 3, said CPU being directly connected to the periodically moving part and controlling a degree of difficulty the user has in moving the periodically moving part, wherein said second signal further instructs said CPU to alter the degree of difficulty in response to the user activating said touch switch.
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8. An interactive exercise system according to claim 1, further comprising a memory device connected to said CPU, said information being stored on said memory device, said CPU accessing said memory device to control the presentation of said information by said user sensory interface.
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9. An interactive exercise system according to claim 8, wherein said CPU is connectable to at least one other CPU of at least one other interactive exercise system thereby enabling a plurality of users to selectively access said information from said memory device simultaneously.
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10. An interactive exercise system according to claim 8, wherein said CPU is connectable to at least one other CPU of at least one other interactive exercise system via the Internet thereby enabling a plurality of users to selectively access said information from said memory device simultaneously.
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11. An interactive exercise system according to claim 1, wherein said user sensory interface comprises at least one of a visual display, an audio speaker, and a tactile response unit.
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12. An interactive exercise system according to claim 1, said sensor comprising:
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a first element attached to the moving part of the equipment;
a second element attached to a fixed part of the equipment and adapted to detect motion of said first element, wherein when said second element detects motion of said first element, said sensor sends said first signal to said CPU.
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13. An interactive exercise system according to claim 12, said first element comprising one of at least one magnet and at least one magnetic reed switch, and said second element comprising the other of at least one magnet and at least one magnetic reed switch,
wherein when said magnet comes into proximity with said magnetic reed switch, said magnet causes said reed switch to close and send a pulse to said CPU, a plurality of said pulses creating said first signal. -
14. An interactive exercise system according to claim 12, said first element comprising one of at least one light source and at least one photodetector, and said second element comprising the other of at least one light source and at least one photodetector,
wherein when said light source comes into proximity with said photodetector, said light source causes said photodetector to send a pulse to said CPU, a plurality of said pulses creating said first signal. -
15. An interactive exercise system according to claim 1, further comprising a second sensor attached to a movable part of the equipment, said second sensor detecting movement of the movable part and sending a third signal to said CPU, wherein said CPU controls said information presented by said user sensory interface based on at least one of said first, second, and third signals.
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16. An interactive exercise system according to claim 15, said second sensor being attached to handlebars of the equipment, wherein movement of the handlebars by the user causes said second sensor to send said third signals to said CPU to control presentation of said information.
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17. An interactive exercise system according to claim 1, wherein the piece of exercise equipment comprises one of a bicycle, a treadmill, a rowing machine, a stair climber, a skiing machine, an elliptical machine, a stepper machine, a resistance training machine, and a weight lifting machine.
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18. An interactive exercise system, comprising:
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a piece of conventional exercise equipment having at least one periodically moving part;
a central processing unit (CPU) in communication with said equipment;
a user sensory interface, connected to said CPU, presenting information from said CPU to the user in discrete packets of information;
a memory device connected to said CPU, said information being stored on said memory device in discrete packets of information, said CPU accessing said memory device to control the presentation of said information by said user sensory interface;
a sensor attached to said periodically moving part and connected to said CPU, said sensor detecting motion of said periodically moving part and sending a first signal to said CPU, said first signal indicates a first rate at which the user is exercising; and
at least one touch switch attachable to said equipment and connected to said CPU, said touch switch selectively sending a second signal to said CPU, said second signal including instructions to said CPU to enable the user to present selectable portions of said information on said user sensory interface, wherein said CPU controls said information presented by said user sensory interface based on at least one of said first and second signals, and wherein said CPU refreshes said information presented by said user sensory interface at a second rate proportional to said first rate. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
pause the refreshment of said information;
access more detailed aspects of said information;
change said second rate independently of said first rate; and
present secondary exercise information on said user sensory interface based on said first signal, wherein said CPU calculates said secondary exercise information based on said first signal.
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21. An interactive exercise system according to claim 20, further comprising memory, connected to said CPU, upon which said secondary exercise information is storable and retrievable.
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22. An interactive exercise system according to claim 18, wherein said user sensory interface comprises at least one of a visual display, an audio speaker, and a tactile response unit.
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23. An interactive exercise system according to claim 18, said sensor comprising:
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a first element attached to the moving part of said equipment;
a second element attached to a fixed part of said equipment and adapted to detect motion of said first element, wherein when said second element detects motion of said first element, said sensor sends said first signal to said CPU.
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24. An interactive exercise system according to claim 23, said first element comprising one of at least one magnet and at least one magnetic reed switch, and said second element comprising the other of at least one magnet and at least one magnetic reed switch,
wherein when said magnet comes into proximity with said magnetic reed switch, said magnet causes said reed switch to close and send a pulse to said CPU, a plurality of said pulses creating said first signal. -
25. An interactive exercise system according to claim 23, said first element comprising one of at least one light source and at least one photodetector, and said second element comprising the other of at least one light source and at least one photodetector,
wherein when said light source comes into proximity with said photodetector, said light source causes said photodetector to send a pulse to said CPU, a plurality of said pulses creating said first signal. -
26. An interactive exercise system according to claim 18, wherein said CPU is connectable to at least one other CPU of at least one other interactive exercise system thereby enabling a plurality of users to selectively access said information from said memory device simultaneously.
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27. An interactive exercise system according to claim 18, further comprising a second sensor attached to a movable part of said equipment, said second sensor detecting movement of said movable part and sending a third signal to said CPU, wherein said CPU controls said information presented by said user sensory interface based on at least one of said first, second, and third signals.
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28. An interactive exercise system according to claim 27, said equipment comprising handlebars, said second sensor being attached to said handlebars, wherein movement of said handlebars by the user causes said second sensor to send said third signals to said CPU to control presentation of said information.
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29. An interactive exercise system according to claim 18, wherein said piece of exercise equipment comprises one of a bicycle, a treadmill, a rowing machine, a stair climber, a skiing machine, an elliptical machine, a stepper machine, a resistance training machine, and a weight lifting machine.
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30. An interactive exercise system according to claim 18, said CPU being directly connected to the periodically moving part and controlling a degree of difficulty the user has in moving the periodically moving part, wherein said second signal further instructs said CPU to alter the degree of difficulty in response to the user activating said touch switch.
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31. An interactive exercise system, comprising:
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a conventional stationary exercise bicycle, having a frame, movable pedals mounted on said frame, a rotatable element mounted on said frame connected to said pedals, said rotatable element moving in response to user force being applied to said pedals;
a central processing unit (CPU) in communication with said rotatable element;
a user sensory interface, connected to said CPU including at least one of a visual display, an audio speaker, and a tactile response unit, said interface presenting information from said CPU to the user in discrete packets of information;
a memory device connected to said CPU, said information being stored on said memory device in discrete packets of information, said CPU accessing said memory device to control the presentation of said information by said user sensory interface;
a sensor attached to said rotatable element and connected to said CPU, said sensor detecting rotation of said rotatable element and sending a first signal to said CPU, said first signal indicates a first rate at which the user is exercising; and
at least one touch switch attachable to said frame and connected to said CPU, said touch switch selectively sending a second signal to said CPU, said second signal including instructions to said CPU to enable the user to present selectable portions of said information on said user sensory interface, wherein said CPU controls said information presented by said user sensory interface based on at least one of said first and second signals, and wherein said CPU refreshes said information presented by said user sensory interface at a second rate proportional to said first rate.
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32. A kit for retrofitting an existing piece of conventional exercise equipment having at least one periodically moving part into an interactive exercise device, comprising:
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a central processing unit (CPU);
a memory device connected to said CPU, with information being stored on said memory device in discrete packets of information;
a user sensory interface, connected to said CPU, presenting said information from said memory device to the user in discrete packets of information, said CPU accessing said memory device to control the presentation of said information by said user sensory interface;
a sensor attached to the periodically moving part of the equipment and connected to said CPU, said sensor detecting motion of the moving part and sending a first signal to said CPU; and
at least one touch switch attachable to the equipment and connected to said CPU, said touch switch selectively sending a second signal to said CPU, wherein said CPU controls said information presented by said user sensory interface based on at least one of said first and second signals. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. A kit for retrofitting an existing piece of conventional exercise equipment having at least one periodically moving part into an interactive exercise device, comprising:
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a sensor attached to the periodically moving part of the equipment and connectable to a computer, the computer having a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory device, said sensor detecting motion of the moving part and sending a first signal to said CPU;
at least one touch switch attachable to the equipment and connected to the CPU of the computer, said touch switch selectively sending a second signal to the CPU; and
a memory medium readable by the memory device of the computer, said memory medium having discrete packets of information stored thereon, said information being compatible with a user sensory interface, wherein the computer controls the information transmitted to the user sensory interface based on at least one of said first and second signals. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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36. An interactive exercise system, comprising:
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a piece of exercise equipment having at least one periodically moving part;
a sensor attached to the periodically moving part of the equipment and connectable to a computer, the computer having a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory device, said sensor detecting motion of the moving part and sending a first signal to said CPU;
at least one touch switch attachable to the equipment and connected to the CPU of the computer, said touch switch selectively sending a second signal to the CPU; and
a memory medium readable by the memory device of the computer, said memory medium having discrete packets of information stored thereon, said information being compatible with a user sensory interface, wherein the computer controls the information transmitted to the user sensory interface based on at least one of said first and second signals.
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Specification