Remote exercise control system

• US 5,645,509 A
• Filed: 07/22/1994
• Issued: 07/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Brewer, Dane P., Bingham, Curt G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US08/278,994
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1, 482/4-8, 482/54, 482/57, 482/72, 482/91, 482/93, 482/900-903, 601/23, 73/379.01, 73/379.07, 379/92-94, 379/102, 379/106, 348/61, 348/121
• US Class Current: 482/4
• 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 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 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• 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 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: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry

Abstract

An exercise system is comprised of an exercise machine, an external source of input signals, a control console and a display. The control console is associated with the exercise machine having an adjustment structure for a moveable member such as an endless belt on a powered treadmill or the pedals of an exercise cycle. Adjustment structures are connected to regulate the speed of the movable member as well as the resistance to movement. The control console has programs selectable and alterable from the external source at a remote location. A program supplies a variable input over selected time segments to regulate and control the adjustment structure such as the motor controller of the treadmill or a resistance strap associated with an inertia wheel of the exercise cycle. Input is received from a remote location over a telecommunications network such as from an external computer interconnected via a local computer network or via telephone lines to modify, to select or to supply the exercise programs of the control console for operation of the related exercise machine.

Claims

1. A control and evaluation system for an exercise machine having a frame, a movable element for movement in performance of exercise by a user, and adjustment means positioned between the frame and the movable element for regulating the movement, the system comprising:

sensing means for sensing movement of the moveable element and for providing movement signals indicative of the movement;

first and second ports connectable between a communications device, the first port being remote from the exercise machine and the second port being proximate to the exercise machine;

control means local to the exercise machine for receiving the movement signals, and for providing signals reflective of the movement signals to the second port;

evaluation means remote from the exercise machine for receiving through the communications device and the first port the signals reflective of the movement signals, and for providing through the first port external control signals containing information regarding adjustments to be made to the adjustment means to regulate the movement; and

in which the control means receives the external control signals through the communication device and the second port, and provides internal control signals reflective of the external control signals to the adjustment means to regulate the movement.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising display means positioned for observation by a user during the performance of exercise, the display means being connected to receive the internal control signals and being operable to display indicia reflective of the movement signals.

3. The system of claim 1 in which each of the adjustments is to be made over a specific time period.

4. The system of claim 1 in which each of the adjustments is to be made over a corresponding time period.

5. The system of claim 4 in which the control means comprises means to receive a unique plurality of input signals reflective of a unique plurality of adjustments to the movement in the corresponding time periods.

6. The system of claim 1 in which the exercise machine is a treadmill and the movable element is the treadmill belt, wherein the adjustment means includes speed adjustment means for adjusting the speed of the treadmill belt, and in which the internal control signals are speed signals to vary the speed of the treadmill belt.

7. The system of claim 6 in which the adjustment means further includes incline adjustment means for adjusting the incline of the treadmill relative to a support surface, and in which the external control signals further include incline signals to vary the incline of the treadmill.

8. The system of claim 1 in which the communications device is a telecommunications device.

9. The system of claim 1 in which the evaluation means includes memory means for storing the signals reflective of the movement signals.

10. The system of claim 1 in which the control means further comprises feedback means for generating feedback signals reflective of the movement of the movable element.

11. An exercise machine having a control system for use in connection with an evaluation system that is remote from the exercise machine and that provides external control signals reflective of a designed program to a communication device for reception by the exercise machine, the evaluation system providing the external control signals in response to reception of signals from the exercise machine indicative of use of the exercise machine, the exercise machine comprising:

a frame;

a movable element for movement in performance of exercise by a user;

adjustment means positioned between the frame and the movable element for regulating the movement;

a sensor that senses movement of the moveable element and provides movement signals indicative of the movement;

a port connectable to the communications device; and

control circuitry local to the exercise machine that receives the movement signals, and provides signals reflective of the movement signals to the port to be received by the evaluation system,

wherein the port receiving the external control signals from the communication device and providing internal control signals reflective of the external control signals to the adjustment means to regulate the movement.

12. The exercise machine of claim 11 further comprising display means positioned for observation by a user during the performance of exercise, the display means being connected to receive the internal control signals and being operable to display indicia reflective of the movement signals.

13. The exercise machine of claim 11 in which the evaluation system includes memory means for storing the signals reflective of the movement signals.

14. The exercise machine of claim 11 in which the control circuitry further comprises feedback means for generating feedback signals reflective of the movement of the movable element.

15. A control and evaluation system for an exercise machine having a frame, a movable element for movement in performance of exercise by a user, and adjustment means positioned between the frame and the movable element for regulating the movement, the system comprising:

a sensor that senses movement of the moveable element and provides movement signals indicative of the movement;

first and second ports connectable between a communications device, the first port being remote from the exercise machine and the second port being proximate to the exercise machine;

a control circuit local to the exercise machine that receives the movement signals and provides signals reflective of the movement signals to the second port;

an evaluation device remote from the exercise machine for receiving through the communications device and the first port the signals reflective of the movement signals, and for providing through the first port external control signals containing information regarding adjustments to be made to the adjustment means to regulate the movement; and

in which the control circuit receives the external control signals through the communication device and the second port, and provides internal control signals reflective of the external control signals to the adjustment means to regulate the movement.

16. The system of claim 15 in which a person operates the evaluation device.