System and method for selective adjustment of exercise apparatus

• US 6,447,424 B1
• Filed: 02/02/2000
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Original Assignee: Icon-Ip Pty Limited
• Inventors: Ashby, Darren C., Lorrigan, Kirk, Watterson, Scott R.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US09/496,560
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1-9, 482/51, 482/54, 482/57, 482/900-902
• US Class Current: 482/8
• 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 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0641 with a marker advancing in function of the exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0691 Maps, e.g. yardage maps or electronic maps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/005 using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0242 with speed variation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/025 electrically, e.g. D.C. motors with variable speed control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/14 Geo-tagging, e.g. for correlating route or track location data with specific information related to that specific location
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• 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 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 : Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 : Employing specific graphic or video display

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.

Claims

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.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the workout information displayed by the indicator means comprises a simulated trail elevation of the user.

3. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 1, wherein the workout information displayed by the indicator means comprises:

percentage of trail workout completion and simulated trail elevation on the same display panel.

4. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 1, wherein the selectively adjustable exercise apparatus comprises:

a support base; and

an operable member movably coupled to the support base.

5. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 4, wherein the feedback means comprises an odometer coupled to the operable member to record traveled distances, the odometer being electronically attached to the processor means.

6. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 5, wherein the indicator means comprise a vertical display panel electrically associated with the odometer such that said vertical display panel illuminates indicators to report vertical distance traveled based on grade and distance measurements taken during a trail workout session.

7. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 4, wherein the interface means comprises at least one direct adjustment keypad for selecting a desired grade of said operable member.

8. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 7, wherein the interface means comprises at least one direct adjustment keypad for selecting a desired speed of said operable member.

9. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 4, wherein the virtual trail system further comprises a braking means for electronically slowing the speed of the operable member.

10. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 9, wherein the braking means comprises a means for dissipating power generated by the virtual trail system, wherein said means for dissipating power is activated at operational points that are partially dependent on user attributes including user mass and force exerted by user and partially dependent on virtual trail system parameters including inclination or declination positions, operating speed, and overall virtual trail system resistance.

11. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the braking means dissipates excess power generated by the virtual trail system when the power generated by the system exceeds approximately 100 Watts.

12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the braking means dissipates excess power generated by the virtual trail system when the power generated by the system exceeds approximately 100 Watts to approximately 700 Watts.

13. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the braking means dissipates excess power generated by the virtual trail system when the power generated by the system exceeds approximately 500 Watts.

14. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 1, wherein the indicator means comprises a single panel display device that illuminates indicators to report horizontal, vertical, and total trail distances traveled during the trail workout session by the user.

15. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 14, wherein the single panel display device of the indicator means further comprises indicators to report to the user which trail workout is selected.

16. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 15, wherein the single panel display device of the indicator means further comprises indicators to report percentage of completion for selected trail workout.

17. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 1, wherein the interface means comprises at least one external database input interface for personalizing trail workout options according to the user.

18. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a means for dissipating power, said means for dissipating power being electronically coupled with the processor means.

19. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 18, wherein the means for dissipating power includes a switch coupled to a power resistor for dissipating excess power generated by the virtual trail system at excessive inclinations.

20. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 19, wherein said power resistor is a heating coil.

21. The virtual trail system as recited in claim 1, wherein the selectively adjustable exercise apparatus comprises at least one of a treadmill, a skier exercise apparatus, an exercise bicycle, an aerobic elliptical exercise apparatus, a rowing apparatus, and a climbing exercise apparatus.

22. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the indicator means comprises a plurality of workout segments represented between two points on a trail.

47. The system as recited in claim 22, wherein the segments reflect an average slope change between said two points on said trail.

23. A selectively adjustable exercise system, comprising:

(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.

24. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein the user interface console comprises a controller which selectively controls the inclination and speed of the operable member based on input signals generated or received by the user interface console.

25. The selectively adjustable exercise system as recited in claim 23, wherein said user interface console further comprises a control interface comprising a direct adjustment keypad for selecting a desired grade of said operable member.

26. The selectively adjustable exercise system as recited in claim 23, wherein the control interface further comprises a second direct adjustment keypad for selecting a desired speed of said operable member.

27. The selectively adjustable exercise system as recited in claim 26, wherein the control interface further comprises a third direct adjustment keypad for selecting a preprogrammed trail workout routine for application to said operable member.

28. The selectively adjustable exercise system as recited in claim 23, wherein the user interface console further comprises:

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.

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.

30. A selectively adjustable exercise system as recited in claim 23, wherein the exercise system is a hiking exercise apparatus.

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.

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.

33. A selectively inclining hiking system, comprising:

(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.

34. The selectively inclining treadmill system as recited in claim 33, wherein the treadbase selectively inclines between a −

15% grade and a 60% grade.

35. A selectively variable trail exercise system, comprising:

(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.

36. The selectively variable trail exercise system as recited in claim 35, wherein said predesigned trail has at least a beginning point and an end point, said predesigned trail selectively including at least one midway point;

the beginning point, end point, and midway point being topographically related to a corresponding point along a naturally occurring trail.

37. The selectively variable trail exercise system as recited in claim 35, wherein said topographically based routines include the average grade and distance to be traveled between the beginning point, the end point, and the selective midway points.

38. The selectively variable trail exercise system as recited in claim 35, wherein said trail workout information comprises at least one of:

elevation, distance traveled, and progress along a trail of selected workout routine.

39. The selectively variable trail exercise system as recited in claim 35, wherein said topographically based routines include moderate, challenging, or extreme workout trails, wherein the moderate trails contain grade adjustments ranging from negative 5% to positive 20%, challenging trails include grade adjustments ranging from negative 10% to positive 40%, and extreme trails include adjustments ranging from negative 15% to positive 60%.

40. A selectively variable trail exercise system as recited in claim 35, wherein the user interface console further comprises:

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.

41. A selectively variable trail exercise system as recited in claim 40, wherein the user interface console further comprises:

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.

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.

43. A selectively adjustable exercise system, comprising:

(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.

44. A selectively adjustable exercise system as recited in claim 43, wherein the interface console comprises a controller which selectively controls the inclination and speed of the operable member based on input signals generated or received by the user interface console.

45. A system as recited in claim 43, wherein the workout information displayed by the display comprises:

percentage of trail workout completion and elevation on the same panel.

46. A selectively adjustable exercise device, comprising:

(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.