Programmable exercise bicycle

• US 9,724,589 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2015
• Issued: 08/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mad Dogg Athletics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mad Dogg Athletics Incorporated
• Inventors: Baudhuin, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R
• Application Number:
  US14/601,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20150202518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1-148
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0658 for cycling with a group of people, e.g. spinning classes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• 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 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/10 Multi-station exercising machines
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/04 heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• 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 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 : for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation

Abstract

The invention pertains to a stationary exercise bike along with a display that provides instruction to lead a rider through an exercise program. The invention allows a rider to obtain benefits of a group, instructor-led class though the rider'"'"'s schedule does not permit the rider to participate in the class. The invention also describes a method of exercising with the foregoing bike and display.

Claims

1. An exercise bike system, comprising:

an exercise bike including a frame that is configured to allow a rider to ride in sitting and standing positions, a direct drive mechanism that includes a pedal assembly and a flywheel coupled together and that facilitates a smooth transition between sitting and standing positions, a set of handlebars that is coupled to the frame and that provides the rider with at least one hand position and a resistance adjustment mechanism for the rider to adjust the pedaling resistance of the bike; and

a portable electronic device that is electronically connected to the bike and that is configured to electronically connect with the internet or other computer network to remotely access a collection of workout videos wherein the videos show an instructor conducting the workout and/or include instructions regarding sitting and standing positions and regarding adjusting the pedaling resistance;

wherein the portable electronic device includes a display that allows the rider to select a desired workout video from the collection of workout videos,

wherein the portable electronic device is configured to either display the selected workout video on the portable electronic device display or to provide information regarding the selected workout video to another electronic display to display the selected workout video on the other electronic display during the workout;

wherein the collection of workout videos provides different types of workouts to be selected by the rider; and

wherein the portable electronic device is configured to electronically receive information from the bike or from the rider regarding cadence, resistance, heart rate and/or power, and is configured to display some or all of this information on either the portable electronic device display or the other display.

2. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein the collection of workout videos includes videos of indoor cycling classes.

3. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device display is configured to allow the rider to scroll through the collection of workout videos for the rider to select from.

4. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the videos in the collection of videos include audio instruction by the instructor.

5. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is configured to allow the rider to save selected workout videos.

6. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein the collection of workout videos includes pre-programmed workout videos.

7. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device display or the other display provides the rider'"'"'s actual cadence.

8. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device display is located in proximity to the set of handlebars but is positioned to not interfere with the rider'"'"'s different hand positions.

9. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device display includes a touch screen display.

10. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein the exercise bike includes a docking station to receive the portable electronic device.

11. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein the workout videos provide instructions to the rider regarding adjusting the cadence and/or resistance mechanism.

12. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is configured to receive an identifier which identifies the rider.

13. The exercise bike system of claim 12, wherein the portable electronic device is configured to display the rider'"'"'s identifier and the rider'"'"'s cadence, resistance, heart rate and/or power during the ride.

14. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is an iPod.

15. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein the selected workout video includes a video of a road simulating a bike ride.

16. The exercise bike system of claim 15, wherein the instructions include instructions regarding cadence and resistance to correspond to the video of the road.

17. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is held by a stand-alone device that is not physically attached to the exercise bike.

18. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is configured to measure the power exerted by the rider.

19. The exercise bike system of claim 18, wherein measurements of the rider'"'"'s power are stored by the portable electronic device.

20. The exercise bike system of claim 18, wherein measurements of the rider'"'"'s power are displayed either by the portable electronic device display or the other display.

21. The exercise bike system of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device provides commands to the exercise bike to vary the resistance of the exercise bike.

22. The exercise bike system of claim 21, wherein the selected workout video includes a video of a road simulating a bike ride, and wherein the commands provided by the portable electronic device to the exercise bike to vary the resistance setting to correspond to the video of the road.

23. The exercise bike system of claim 22, wherein the selected workout video includes instructions regarding cadence that correspond to the resistance setting.

24. The bike system of claim 22, wherein the selected workout video includes instructions regarding the sitting or standing position of the rider that correspond to the video of the road.

25. The bike system of claim 22, wherein the selected workout video includes instructions regarding the sitting or standing position of the rider that correspond to the resistance setting.