System and method for selective adjustment of exercise apparatus
DCFirst Claim
1. A virtual trail system for use on a selectively adjustable exercise apparatus having a support structure, the virtual trail system simulating a trail to be traversed by a user as the user exercises using the exercise apparatus, the virtual trail system comprising:
- interface means for receiving workout related control inputs;
processor means, configured to be connected to the support structure of the exercise apparatus, for electronically computing operational information based at least in part on control inputs received from the interface means;
feedback means for conveying information concerning the amount of exercise performed by the user to the processor means;
indicator means, configured to be connected to the support structure of the exercise apparatus, for displaying workout information to the user at a rate proportional to the rate at which exercise is performed by the user, the indicator means being adapted for displaying a topographical representation of a trail to be traversed by a user as the user exercises using the exercise apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A display controller system for use with a selectively adjustable exercise apparatus is disclosed. The hiking display controller system comprises a display device, a controller, and a selectively adjustable exercise device. The controller enables adjustments in the exercise apparatus according to a mountain exercise profile having trail workout segments that are digitally coded to enable the selectively adjustable exercise device. The mountain exercise profile may use topographical maps, GPS coordinates, or portable hike monitors to design the actual exercise program. A mountain exercise profile may also be obtained through an external interface located in the controller. The user can develop a virtual trail. These preprogrammed trail workouts are created by a trail workout designer who identifies the density of the trails and digitally codes the necessary adjustments for a specific exercise device. Once the mountain exercise profile has been selected, a motivational display panel provides segment length, vertical distance traveled, upcoming grade changes and total length traveled in one identifiable display panel. As such the disclosed method for selective adjustment of an exercise apparatus allows a user to enjoy the advantages of a natural hike according to the constraints of modern society.
438 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A virtual trail system for use on a selectively adjustable exercise apparatus having a support structure, the virtual trail system simulating a trail to be traversed by a user as the user exercises using the exercise apparatus, the virtual trail system comprising:
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interface means for receiving workout related control inputs;
processor means, configured to be connected to the support structure of the exercise apparatus, for electronically computing operational information based at least in part on control inputs received from the interface means;
feedback means for conveying information concerning the amount of exercise performed by the user to the processor means;
indicator means, configured to be connected to the support structure of the exercise apparatus, for displaying workout information to the user at a rate proportional to the rate at which exercise is performed by the user, the indicator means being adapted for displaying a topographical representation of a trail to be traversed by a user as the user exercises using the exercise apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 47)
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23. A selectively adjustable exercise system, comprising:
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(a) a support base;
(b) an operable member movably coupled to the support base; and
(c) a user interface console electrically coupled to the operable member, the interface console comprising a display device capable of displaying trail workout information on said user interface console, said display device displaying a topographical representation of a trail to be traversed by a user, the displayed representation reflecting movement of the operable member. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
a direct incline adjustment interface that with one touch allows the incline of the selectively adjustable exercise system to be automatically adjusted upon selection of one of several preset grade levels.
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29. A selectively adjustable exercise system as recited in claim 28, wherein the user interface console further comprises:
a direct speed adjustment interface that with one touch allows the selectively adjustable exercise system speed to automatically shift upon selection to one of several preset speed levels.
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30. A selectively adjustable exercise system as recited in claim 23, wherein the exercise system is a hiking exercise apparatus.
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31. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein the workout information displayed by the display device comprises a simulated trail elevation of the user.
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32. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein said display device displaying at least one of a percentage of trail workout completion, an elevation, a distance traveled along, workout segment difficulty, and a selected workout routine.
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33. A selectively inclining hiking system, comprising:
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(a) a support base;
(b) a treadbase having a proximal end, a distal end, and an intermediate portion therebetween, the treadbase being pivotally coupled to the support base; and
(c) a virtual trail system connected to the support base, the virtual trail system comprising;
(i) a controller module which selectively controls the inclination and speed of the treadbase based on input signals generated or received by the virtual trail system;
(ii) a control interface comprising direct adjustment keypads for selecting a desired grade and a desired speed of said treadbase; and
(iii) a display device capable of displaying trail workout information on a panel of said virtual trail system, the display device displaying a topographical representation of a trail to be traversed by a user, the displayed representation reflecting inclination of the treadbase, percentage of trail workout completion, distance traveled along trail, and selected workout routine. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. A selectively variable trail exercise system, comprising:
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(a) a support base;
(b) an operable member movably coupled to the support base; and
(c) a user interface console, comprising;
(i) a controller module which selectively controls the resistance and speed of the operable member based on input signals generated or received by the user interface console, said controller module comprising a means for selecting a predesigned trail containing topographically based workout routines;
(ii) a control interface comprising a direct adjustment keypad for selecting at least one of a desired grade and speed of said operable member; and
(iii) a display device capable of displaying trail workout information on at least one display panel of said user interface console. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
upon initial user authentication, a means for displaying at least one positional element from the last preselected trail workout routine;
said means for displaying including means for turning on additional lighting segments behind the one which displays the user'"'"'s position on the preselected trail workout routine, the number of turned on segments being proportional to the percentage of the workout routine completed.
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41. A selectively variable trail exercise system as recited in claim 40, wherein the user interface console further comprises:
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means for selecting a trail workout routine from an external database, the external database electronically sending control codes that govern grade changes and overall trail distances for the trail workout routine to the controller module;
means for displaying electronically transmitted trail workout routine parameters on the display device.
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42. A selectively variable trail exercise system as recited in claim 41, wherein the means for selecting a trail workout routine from an external database comprises a communication line connection selected from the group consisting of PSTN, DSL, G-Lite, cable modem, wireless, WAN line, radio frequency transmission.
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43. A selectively adjustable exercise system, comprising:
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(a) a support base;
(b) an operable member movably coupled to the support base;
(c) a user interface console electrically coupled to the operable member; and
(d) a display device electrically coupled to user interface console, the display device being capable of displaying trail workout information on a panel of said user interface console, said display device displaying a topographical representation of a trail to be traversed by a user, the displayed representation reflecting movement of the operable member. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45)
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46. A selectively adjustable exercise device, comprising:
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(a) a support structure configured to support an operable member movably coupled to the support structure; and
(b) a user interface console connected to the support structure and electrically coupled to the operable member, the interface console comprising a display device capable of displaying a topographical representation of a trail to be traversed by a user, the display device further being configured to display the progress of the user following the trail and workout information that changes at a rate proportional to the rate at which the user follows the trail and while the operable member is moved in accordance with the changes in the trail.
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Specification