Computer interface with remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine

• US 6,283,896 B1
• Filed: 09/17/1999
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Abraham Grunfeld, Sarah Grunfeld
• Original Assignee: Abraham Grunfeld, Sarah Grunfeld
• Inventors: Grunfeld, Sarah, Grunfeld, Abraham
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/398,614
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1-9, 482/51, 482/54, 482/900-902
• US Class Current: 482/54
• 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 2220/34 Angular speed
• 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 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine is disclosed, designed as a stationary exercise machine with provisions for an interactive approach with a predetermined program on a computer-controlled interface and with provisions for interfacing two or more such units to allow a sense of competition between two or more people. The present invention discloses a conventional, stationary exercise machine, a computer with a specialized program or programs, a series of apparatuses for interfacing with the individual exercising as well as the exercise machine itself, and a means for interfacing two or more such machines together.

Claims

1. A computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine, designed for use with a conventional exercise machine, said computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine comprising:

a computer, said computer being capable of running programs, and said computer having a computer monitor, and said computer and computer monitor located at a convenient eye level at the anterior of the exercise machine;

a mounting shelf, said mounting shelf releasably attached to the side rails of said exercise machine via a clamp and used to support said computer;

a speed adjustment mechanism, said speed adjustment mechanism located on a operating panel located on the exercise machine and electronically connecting the computer with the exercise machine;

a speed detection apparatus, said speed detection apparatus designed to monitor the speed generated by the exercise machine;

a first hand controller, said first hand controller located on the left-hand side of the conventional exercise machine, and designed to control sequences of the program run by the computer that are not capable of receiving input signals by the speed detection mechanism;

a second hand controller, said second hand controller located on the right-hand side of the conventional exercise machine, and designed to control sequences of the program run by the computer that are not capable of receiving input signals by the speed detection mechanism;

electronic interconnecting communication paths, said electronic interconnecting communication paths electronically connecting said speed adjustment mechanism, speed detection mechanism, first hand controller and the second hand controller to the computer.

2. The computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine described in claim 1, wherein said speed detection mechanism provides input status signals to the computer, and further comprises:

a rubber wheel, said rubber wheel held in close physical contact with said moving element by the weight of the speed detection mechanism and thus translates the linear motion of the moving element into a rotational motion;

a first gear, said first gear receiving the rotational motion of the rubber wheel by physical attachment as said rubber wheel turns about its axis;

a second gear, said second gear receiving the rotational motion of the first gear by physical contact as the first gear turns about its axis;

a transducer, said transducer connected to said second gear and said transducer converting the rotational energy of the second gear into an electrical signal which is transmitted on said interconnecting communication paths to said computer;

a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket releasably attached to said exercise machine via a set of attachment straps and a set of fastening means;

a mounting arm, said mounting arm attached to said mounting bracket, and used to secure and support the other components of the speed detection mechanism; and

an internal sensor, said internal sensor located in the transducer and designed to detect the level of angle adjustment that has been used on the moving element and send this information to the computer.

3. The computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine described in claim 1, wherein said speed adjustment mechanism further comprises:

a servo motor, said servo motor receiving an input signal from the interconnecting communication paths;

a tracking harness, said tracking harness driven by said servo motor;

a speed control slider, said speed control slider held against said tracking harness by friction and close physical contact.

4. The computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine of claim 3, wherein as an output signal is received from the computer on the interconnecting communication paths, the servo motor generates an appropriate mechanical output on the output strap, which locates the tracking harness and thus the speed control slider.

5. The computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the position of the speed control slider governs the speed of the moving element on the computer in a manner identical to that if the speed control slider was adjusted manually in a conventional exercise machine configuration.

6. The computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine described in claim 1, wherein first hand controller possesses a first “

X”

shaped rocker switch, similar to that found on video game consoles, thus enabling the user to activate one of four selections at any one time.

7. The computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine described in claim 1, wherein said second hand controller possesses a second “

X”

shaped rocker switch, similar to that found on video game consoles, thus enabling the user to activate one of four selections at any one time.

8. The computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine described in claim 1, wherein said interconnecting communication paths are selected from the group comprising cable, infrared, ultrasonic, microwave, and radio frequency (RF).

9. The computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine described in claim 1, further comprised of a remote interconnection communication path connected to said computer to establish a remote communication link between one or more computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine for the purpose of establishing competition or the engaging in game playing, said remote communication apparatus selected from the group comprising modem and network card connected via a serial cable to said interconnection communication path selected from the group comprising dial up connection, local area network, wide area network, packet system, and TCP/IP system using the Internet.

10. The computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine described in claim 1, further comprised of a local interconnection communication path connected to said computer to establish a local communication link between one or more computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine for the purpose of establishing competition or the engaging in game playing, said local interconnection communication path consists of a serial cable.

11. The computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine described in claim 1, wherein said programs consists of software universal in nature to be played upon said computer for different games or challenge situations subject to revision and supplied on a suitable computer storage medium selected from the group comprising CD'"'"'s, DVD, cartride type “

memory”

packs through an input port to said computer, or direct download from the Internet via said modem or via said network card from a network or other source connected to the Internet.

12. The computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine described in claim 11, further comprised of a set of sensors to track the user'"'"'s heart rate and blood pressure as part of a health advisor software approach to be used in conjunction with said software for said games or simulations that would be run on said computer interface with a remote communication apparatus.

13. An exercise machine with a built in computer interface with a remote communication apparatus, said computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for said exercise machine comprising:

a computer, said computer being capable of running programs, and said computer having a computer monitor, and said computer and computer monitor located at a convenient eye level at the anterior of the exercise machine;

a speed adjustment mechanism, said speed adjustment mechanism designed to adjust the speed of the exercise machine electronically connecting the computer with the exercise machine;

a speed detection apparatus, said speed detection apparatus designed to monitor the speed generated by the exercise machine;

a first hand controller, said first hand controller located on the left-hand side of the conventional exercise machine, and designed to control sequences of the program run by the computer that are not capable of receiving input signals by the speed detection mechanism;

a second hand controller, said second hand controller located on the right-hand side of the conventional exercise machine, and designed to control sequences of the program run by the computer that are not capable of receiving input signals by the speed detection mechanism;

electronic interconnecting communication paths, said electronic interconnecting communication paths electronically connecting said speed adjustment mechanism, speed detection mechanism, first hand controller and the second hand controller to the computer.

14. The exercise machine with a built in computer interface with a remote communication apparatus described in claim 13, wherein said speed detection mechanism provides input status signals to the computer.

15. The exercise machine with a built in computer interface with a remote communication apparatus of claim 14, wherein as an output signal is received from the computer on the interconnecting communication paths, the speed adjustment mechanism adjusts the speed of the moving element on the exercise machine.

16. The exercise machine with a built in computer interface with a remote communication apparatus of claim 15, wherein the position of the speed control slider governs the speed of the moving element on the computer in a manner identical to that if the speed control slider was adjusted manually in a conventional exercise machine configuration.

17. The exercise machine with a built in computer interface with a remote communication apparatus of claim 16, wherein first hand controller possesses a first “

X”

shaped rocker switch, similar to that found on video game consoles, thus enabling the user to activate one of four selections at any one time.

18. The exercise machine with a built in computer interface with a remote communication apparatus of claim 17, wherein said second hand controller possesses a second “

X”

shaped rocker switch, similar to that found on video game consoles, thus enabling the user to activate one of four selections at any one time.

19. The exercise machine with a built in computer interface with a remote communication apparatus of claim 18, wherein said interconnecting communication paths are selected from the group comprising cable, infrared, ultrasonic, microwave, and radio frequency (RF).

20. The exercise machine with a built in computer interface with a remote communication apparatus of claim 19, further comprised of a remote interconnection communication path connected to said computer to establish a remote communication link between one or more computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine for the purpose of establishing competition or the engaging in game playing, said remote communication apparatus selected from the group comprising modem and network card and connected via a serial cable to said interconnection communication path selected from the group comprising dial up connection, local area network, wide area network, packet system, and TCP/IP system using the Internet.

21. The exercise machine with a built in computer interface with a remote communication apparatus of claim 20, further comprised of a local interconnection communication path connected to said computer to establish a local communication link between one or more computer interface with a remote communication apparatus for an exercise machine for the purpose of establishing competition or the engaging in game playing, said local interconnection communication path consisting of a cable.

22. The exercise machine with a built in computer interface with a remote communication apparatus of claim 21, wherein said programs consists of software universal in nature to be played upon said computer for different games or challenge situations subject to revision and supplied on a suitable computer storage medium selected from the group comprising CD'"'"'s, DVD'"'"'s, cartridge type “

memory”

packs through an input port to said computer, or direct download from the Internet via said modem or via said network card from a network or other source connected to the Internet.

23. The exercise machine with a built in computer interface with a remote communication apparatus of claim 22, further comprised of a set of sensors to track the user'"'"'s heart rate and blood pressure as part of a health advisor software approach to be used in conjunction with said software for said games or simulations that would be run on said computer interface with a remote communication apparatus.