Electronic exercise system

• US 6,450,922 B1
• Filed: 10/29/1998
• Issued: 09/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Graber Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Graber Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Henderson, Scott J., Nichols, Jeffrey Q., Marthaler, Tyler C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/182,977
• Time in Patent Office: 1,419 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1-9, 482/51, 482/54, 482/900-902
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0009 Computerised real time comparison with previous movements or motion sequences of the user
• 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 2071/0691 Maps, e.g. yardage maps or electronic maps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0052 induced by electromagnets A63B21/0056 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• 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 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• 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 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/24 Angular displacement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/065 within a certain range
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/205 : P-CO2, i.e. partial CO2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/207 : P-O2, i.e. partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/42 : rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/20 : Swimming
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• 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 69/16 : for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry

Abstract

A physical activity monitor, during a first period, records data characterizing a physical activity by a user, and an exercise device uses the recorded data of the physical activity monitor to simulate the physical activity for the user during a second period.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a physical activity monitor including a sensing and recording arrangement that during a first period of physical activity senses and records data characterizing the physical activity performed by a user; and

an exercise device configured to simulate the physical activity, wherein the exercise device has a control and wherein the sensing and recording arrangement of the monitor is separate from the control of the exercise device, wherein the recorded data from the physical activity monitor is supplied to the control of the exercise device, and wherein the control of the exercise device uses the recorded data from the physical activity monitor

to control operation of the exercise device and simulate the physical activity of the first period for the user during a second period of physical activity using the exercise device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the physical activity monitor measures a first index of physical exertion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first index of physical exertion comprises an index of a distance traveled by the user.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first index of physical exertion comprises an index of an inclination of the user.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first index of physical exertion comprises an index of a force exerted by the user.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first index of physical exertion comprises an index of a heart rate of the user.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exercise device control is interconnected with a resistance provider, wherein the exercise device control is operable to control the resistance provider in accordance with the recorded data to simulate the physical activity.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the physical activity of the user simulated by the exercise device is a non-stationary bicycle ride.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the physical activity of the user simulated by the exercise device is a non-stationary rock climb.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the physical activity of the user simulated by the exercise device is a non-stationary swim.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the physical activity of the user simulated by the exercise device is a non-stationary run.

12. Apparatus comprising:

a physical activity monitor that records sampled data, the data comprising indices of a force exerted by a user and of a distance traveled by the user during a first period of non-stationary physical activity by the user; and

a stationary exercise device configured to simulate the physical activity, wherein the stationary exercise device includes a control that uses the recorded data from the physical activity monitor to control operation of the stationary exercise device during a second period of stationary physical activity on the exercise device which simulates the first period of non-stationary physical activity.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the physical activity comprises a bicycle ride, and wherein the physical activity monitor further comprises a rotational sensor attached to a bicycle used during the non-stationary bicycle ride.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the physical activity comprises a bicycle ride, and wherein the physical activity monitor further comprises an inclination sensor.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the physical activity comprises a bicycle ride, and wherein the physical activity monitor further comprises a heart rate sensor coupled to the user.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the physical activity comprises a bicycle ride, and wherein the stationary exercise device comprises a resistance unit removably coupled to a bicycle;

and a controller, the controller adapted to receive the data recorded by the physical activity monitor and to control the resistance unit to simulate the non-stationary bicycle ride.

17. Apparatus comprising:

a physical activity monitor that records sampled data, the data comprising indices of a force exerted by a user and of a distance traveled by the user during a non-stationary bicycle ride by the user occurring during a first time period, the physical activity monitor further comprising a rotational sensor attached to a bicycle used during the non-stationary bicycle ride, an inclination sensor, and a heart rate sensor coupled to the user; and

a stationary exercise device that uses the recorded data from the physical activity monitor to simulate the non-stationary bicycle ride during a subsequent second time period of physical activity using the stationary exercise device, the stationary exercise device comprising a resistance unit removably coupled to a bicycle; and

a controller, the controller adapted to receive the data recorded by the physical activity monitor and to control the resistance unit to simulate the non-stationary bicycle ride.

18. A method comprising:

during a first period of physical activity in a first environment, recording data characterizing the physical activity performed by a user; and

during a second period of physical activity in a second environment which simulates the first environment, using the recorded data to control operating characteristics of the second environment to simulate the physical activity of the first period for the user.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the recorded data comprises a first index of physical exertion.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the first index of physical exertion comprises an index of a distance traveled.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the first index of physical exertion comprises an index of an inclination of a user.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the first index of physical exertion comprises an index of a force exerted by a user.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein the first index of physical exertion comprises an index of a heart rate of a user.

24. The method of claim 18 wherein the second environment includes a controller that receives the recorded data and controls a resistance provider in accordance with the received data to simulate the physical activity.

25. The method of claim 18 wherein the simulated physical activity of the user is a non-stationary bicycle ride.

26. The method of claim 18 wherein the simulated physical activity of the user is a non-stationary rock climb.

27. The method of claim 18 wherein the simulated physical activity of the user is a non-stationary swim.

28. The method of claim 18 wherein the simulated physical activity of the user is a non-stationary run.

29. A method comprising:

recording sampled data during a first time period, the data comprising indices of a force exerted by a user and of a distance traveled by the user during a non-stationary bicycle ride by the user; and

using the recorded data to control operation of a stationary bicycle trainer to simulate characteristics of the non-stationary bicycle ride on the stationary bicycle trainer during a subsequent second period of physical activity on the stationary bicycle trainer.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the recorded data further comprises data indicative of rotation of a wheel of a bicycle used during the non-stationary bicycle ride.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the recorded data further comprises data indicative of an inclination of a bicycle used during the non-stationary bicycle ride.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the recorded data further comprises data indicative of a heart rate of the user.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein a controller receives the recorded data and controls a resistance unit associated with the bicycle trainer to simulate the non-stationary bicycle ride.

34. A method comprising:

recording sampled data in a storage unit, the data comprising indices of a force exerted by a user and of a distance traveled by the user during a non-stationary bicycle ride by the user occurring during a first time period;

interconnecting the storage unit with a stationary bicycle exercise device having a resistance unit; and

utilizing the recorded data to control the resistance unit to simulate the non-stationary bicycle ride using the stationary bicycle exercise device during a subsequent second period of physical exercise employing the resistance unit.