Patent Application
20250041701
The present disclosure relates to a display unit for exercise machines.
The use of devices or display units associated to exercise machines, such as treadmills, bikes, etc., is widely used and known in the art.
Said units are configured in such a way that the user is able to select the desired type of training session, for example uphill running, flat course, tempo run, distance running, etc., to set up and/or modify during execution one or more of the parameters of the selected session, such as duration, difficulty level, rhythm/speed, and to visualize the approximate values of the ongoing or finished performance.
Said units known in the art, while making it possible to adequately perform the services for which they were conceived, however present certain aspects which could be improved particularly regarding production simplicity and costs, ease of use, functional integrity in the presence of contaminating agents which can cause malfunction, such as drops of sweat, typical and inevitable during the performance of training sessions.
Hence, there is desire and room for an improved display unit.
The presence disclosure provides a display unit for an exercise machine, comprising at least:
and wherein said at least one controller is configured to receive in input a signal selectively indicative of the change in capacity caused by the action of the user on said groove or on one of said keys and to emit a corresponding command signal causing:
Particular embodiments are object of the respective dependent claims whose contents are intended as an integral part of the present description.
Further characteristics and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, and with reference to the attached drawings in which:
It should be noted that in the following detailed description the components illustrated in the figures are not necessarily to scale and certain characteristics of the description may be shown in a rather schematic form.
Furthermore, when the term “configured” or “shaped”, or a similar term is used in the present context with reference to any component whatsoever as a whole, or any part whatsoever of a component, said term is intended as comprising correspondingly the structure and/or the configuration and/or the shape and/or the positioning of the component or part to which it refers.
In particular, when said terms refer to hardware or software electronic means they are intended as including circuits or parts of electronic circuits, as well as software/firmware, such as algorithms, routines and programs in general, in execution and/or resident in any storage medium whatsoever.
Clearly, the bike represents only an example of a possible exercise machine to which the display unit can be associated, and the display unit 100 according to the disclosure can be used with other exercise machines, for example treadmills, etc.
As illustrated, the display unit 100 comprises:
In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
The second display 5 and, when used the third display 5A, are for example LED displays.
The display unit 100 further comprises a control panel 20 which includes a capacitive keypad 30 and a screen or cover lens 21 (hereinafter simply screen 21), for example at least partially transparent, which is made for example of screen-printed glass and which is placed over the front of the capacitive keypad 30.
Usefully, on the at least partially transparent screen 21, there is provided, e.g. by means of milling, a groove 22 for guiding the navigation of the user within the navigable menu of training sessions.
Furthermore, on the screen 21 a plurality of keys 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 are graphically represented (hereinafter for descriptive simplicity indicated as “keys” or “graphic keys”) each of which associable to a user-selectable function or command.
In particular, as illustrated in
The first electrode 31 and the plurality of additional electrodes 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 are each connected to the at least one controller 1 by means of corresponding electrically conductive tracks 47.
The number of graphic keys represented on the screen 21 can be appropriately varied depending on the exercise machine to which the display unit is to be associated and on the functions the exercise machine is to provide.
In particular, the display unit 100 conveniently comprises a capacitive keypad 30 common to all types of exercise machines so that said display unit can be used in accordance with the applications, changing the set of graphic keys represented on the screen 21.
Usefully, in an exemplary embodiment, the at least one controller 1 is configured to selectively inhibit operation of at least one electrode of said plurality of additional electrodes 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, in particular when one of the keys is not graphically represented on the screen 21.
In practice, if for a specific exercise machine the use of a command or specific function is not foreseen, then the corresponding graphic key is not represented on the screen 21 and operation of the corresponding electrode on the capacitive keypad 30 can be inhibited via software, e.g. by means of the at least one controller 1.
In this way, if a user mistakenly touches an area of the screen 21 where no graphic key is represented, below said area there is in any case an electrode of the capacitive keypad 30 relative to the function of the non-represented key, but said error does not involve any reply from the display unit 100 by virtue of the inhibition procedure.
The functions/commands associated to the graphic keys can be functions relative to functions of the display unit 100 itself or associated to it, and the commands can be relative to actions to be transmitted to the exercise machine 200 itself.
Furthermore, one or more of the graphic keys, preferably all of them, are graphically represented by means of icons/symbols which symbolize the function/command associated to it.
For example, in an embodiment, and as illustrated for example in
A second sub-group of keys, i.e. keys 10, 11, 12, 13 e 14, are visualized for example in a lower central area of the screen 21, and comprise a key 10 for managing connections with heart rate belts, a key 11 to transmit to the exercise machine 200 a pause command, a key 12 to transmit to the exercise machine 200 a start or re-start training session command, a key 13 to transmit to the exercise machine 200 a definitive stop command or to carry out a final cooling-down step and a key 14 for identification of the user on the exercise machine by means of an identification code or the connection with a personal device of the user, such as a smart-watch or smart-phone.
A third group of keys, i.e. keys 6, 15 and 16, 9 and 17 and 18, are visualized for example on the two sides of the screen 21. For example, the keys 6 and 9 are associated, by means of the respective electrodes of the underlying capacitive keypad 30, to the controller for managing the data to be visualized on one or both displays 5 and 5A, while the keys 15 and 16 and 17 and 18 are associated to the visualization of training parameters which can be modified by a user acting on keys 15 or 17 (increase) and 16 or 19 (decrease) and whose values are visualized on the display 5 or the displays 5 and 5A during the training session.
In a possible embodiment, the capacitive keypad 30 can comprise a first dielectric layer, a conductive layer and a support layer. Between the various layers there may be protective layers and adhesive layers to guarantee functionality of the components.
The electrically conductive material used in the capacitive keypad 30 can be of different types, for example copper, indium-tin oxide, silver, etc.
In the display unit 100 according to the disclosure, the at least controller 1 is configured to receive in input, from the capacitive keypad 30, a signal selectively indicative of the change in electric capacitance caused by the action of the user on the groove 22 or on one of the graphic keys 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and to emit a corresponding command signal.
In particular, if a user has acted on the groove 22, the at least one controller 1 is configured to emit a corresponding command signal suitable to at least visualize on the display 3 the navigable menu of training sessions selected and parameterized by the user.
In particular, during the action by the user on the groove 22, the electronic controller 1 continually processes the signal indicative of the change in capacitance caused by the action of the user, and enables gradual visualization of the navigable menu pages (which may also comprise various navigable sub-menus).
In a possible embodiment, the groove 22 and the associated first electrode 31 can be configured so as to implement also, by means of the controller 1, a function/command for the exercise machine.
If, however, the user has acted on one of the graphic keys, the at least one electronic control unit 1 is configured to emit a corresponding command signal suitable to implement a function/command associated to the graphic key on which the user has acted.
In correspondence with the actions of the user, the at least one controller 1 is further configured to cause, during execution of the training session or when it finishes, visualization, on the first display 3, of the selected training session and, on the display 5 or on the second and third displays 5 and 5A correspondingly, of at least one or more operating parameters currently selected of the exercise machine or parameters relating to the user results at the end of the execution of the training session selected.
In practice, some graphic keys have the function of changing visualization, while others have the function of regulating the operating parameters of the machine. The latter also cause a change in visualization in the sense that the value of the operating parameter visualized is consequently updated.
For example, if the speed on a treadmill is increased by acting on the corresponding graphic key, the current speed value visualized is refreshed.
Conveniently, according to a possible embodiment which is both simple and effective, the display unit 100 comprises one or more layers or pieces 4 of bi-adhesive material configured to attach the display 3 and each LED display 5, 5A to the control panel 20.
In particular, the first and second displays 3 and 5 and, where used, also the third display 5A, are fixed, e.g. glued directly or indirectly to the rear side of the control panel, for example by means of one or more pieces of bi-adhesive material 4.
For example, as illustrated in
In their turn, the second display 5 and when used the third display 5A, are connected to a support 102 which is fixed to the control panel 20A.
In the embodiment illustrated in
Clearly, assembly of the various parts, and in particular fixing of each display 3, 5 and 5A can be carried out in a different manner, such as for example by mechanical fixing with screws, air bonding or optical bonding.
As illustrated in the embodiment in
In a possible embodiment, the capacitive keypad 30 is a self-capacitive keypad where for each graphic key 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and for said groove 22, there is provided only one corresponding electrode.
In this case, while the display unit 100 is being used, for example the user's finger represents a second electrode when he “presses” a corresponding key, a variation in the capacitance of the system is generated and suitably processed by the at least one controller 1. More in detail, the electrode of the single button can be made with a single conductive element or with a plurality of conductive elements so as to obtain several signals and increase the reliability of detection of the contact with the user's finger.
This solution is particularly simple for efficient operation in the presence of drops of sweat.
Alternatively, the capacitive keypad 30 is a mutually capacitive keypad where for each graphic key 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and for said groove 22 there is provided a corresponding pair of electrodes.
In this case, when the user's finger “presses” a key, the electric field between the two electrodes associated to said key varies, so changing the capacitive coupling.
In a further embodiment, the capacitive keypad is partly self capacitive and partly mutual capacitive.
In a possible embodiment, the display unit 100, and in particular its capacitive keypad 30, comprises a protective grid 50 arranged around the first electrode 31 and each electrode of the plurality of additional electrodes 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46.
Said grid 50 is, for example, made of strips of intersecting conductive material to form a grid and placed on a layer of dielectric material.
The grid 50 carries out a protective function limiting the emission of electromagnetic signals for the user, as well as the one of “security”, determining the effective activation of a key, as opposed to “anomalous” situations.
In particular, if the user's finger is not exactly on the key but also partly on the grid, the at least one controller 1 is configured so as to detect this anomalous situation and not to consider the partial touch of the key as an effective selection of said key.
Another advantage associated to the grid is the detection of other “abnormal” situations, such as those caused by sweat; in fact, a drop of sweat would be able to vary the electric capacitance similarly to the touch of a finger.
In particular, in order to avoid a drop of sweat activating a key, the electronic controller 1 is configured so as to interpret a signal indicative of capacitance change caused by the user acting on the groove 22 or on one of the graphic keys only if the capacitance variation takes place at a speed greater than a determined threshold.
In fact, if for example a drop of sweat falls on the grid 50 (or partly on the grid and partly on a key) and slides towards the area near a key, the algorithm implemented in the controller 1 is configured so that said capacitance change is not interpreted as a real touch of the key since the drop of sweat varies the capacitance gradually and not suddenly as would happen instead in the case of an effective touch of a finger.
Furthermore, the change in capacitance is proportional to the contact area; in the case where an object with conductivity characteristics (for example the metallic surface of a mobile phone) is placed on the screen 21, the fact that it covers several keys enables the controller to exclude that what is taking place is due to the touch of a finger on a key.
In a possible embodiment, as illustrated in
In particular, according a possible embodiment illustrated in
In this case, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
According to this embodiment, the at least one controller 1 is configured so as to receive in input said signal selectively indicative of the change in capacitance caused by the action of the user along the groove 22 corresponding to at least one angular sector of said plurality of angular sectors 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D and to convert the detected change in capacitance into a digital signal indicative of the corresponding angular position along the groove 22 where the user acted.
In this way, depending on the sector swiped by the user on the display 3, corresponding parts of the navigable menu are visualized on the first display 3, for example, one or more icons visualized in sequence and each relative to a selectable training session.
In a possible embodiment of the display 100 according to the disclosure, the at least one electronic control unit 1 is composed of a single electronic control unit or controller which is suitably configured to carry out the various functions described.
In a further possible embodiment, and as illustrated in
The first electronic controller 1 is connected to the capacitive keypad 30 and to the second electronic controller 2 and is dedicated mainly to controlling the capacitive keypad 30 and to processing the signals that it emits.
In particular, the first electronic controller 1 is configured so as to receive in input from the capacitive keypad each signal selectively indicative of the change in capacitance caused by the user's action on the groove 22 or on one of the visualized graphic keys, and to emit a corresponding signal indicative of the action carried out by the user.
For example, said electronic controller 1 comprises a suitable printed circuit board associated to a microcontroller which converts the analogue signals received from the capacitive keypad 30 into digital signals to supply them in input to the second controller 2.
The second electronic controller 2 is for example dedicated to actually controlling the exercise machine 200 and can also comprise a printed circuit board and an associated processor which carries out one or more software modules for the management logic of the functions relative to the various keys and to the groove 22.
In practice, the second controller 2 is configured so as to receive in input from said first electronic controller 1 said corresponding digital signal and emit said corresponding command signal.
For example, if that which is processed by the first electronic controller 1 is identified as an effective press on a key by the user, then this triggers the event connected to the pressed key and a message is sent to the second electronic controller 2 where the relative operational flows are implemented for the emission of the command signal and any possible corresponding visualizations on the first display 3 and/or the second display 5 and/or the third display 5A.
Consequently, it is the second controller 2 that decides which action triggers that event on the display unit 100 or on the exercise machine and therefore what should be visualized on the first display 3 and/or on the display(s) 5, 5A, and/or if the exercise machine must for example start up, go into stand-by or stop.
In practice, when the user places himself on the exercise machine where the display unit 100 is installed and wants to carry out a training session, he starts by acting on the groove 22, for example swiping a finger along said groove 22 (or touching one of the predefined angular positions), so modifying the visualization on the display 3 and visualizing in sequence the possible training sessions available.
For example, the user may select, from the navigable menu on the display 3 which presents various icons each relative to a different session, a session with a time or alternatively a length objective and then confirm the choice with the key on the right (key 8) or go back by pressing the key on the left (key 7) if he chose the wrong session or changed his mind.
Once the desired training session has been selected, the user, acting on the groove 22, can modify one or more of its parameters; for example, if a time session has been selected, the length of time of the training session can be set to the value desired, and then confirmed by pressing the key 8 once more.
Furthermore, by acting on the various keys, the user can select one or more parameters that he wishes to visualize/modify.
The action on the graphic keys or on the groove 22 can be suitably accompanied by respective acoustic sounds or by tactile feedback implemented for example by the single electronic controller 1 or by the second electronic controller 2, if used.
Once the training session has been selected with the relative parameters, relating both to the selected session and to the operation of the exercise machine 200, the user selects the “play” button 12 and the exercise machine 200 starts up.
During said selections, the choices that are made, for example the selected session and/or the pre-set time, are graphically visualized on the first display 3, while the parameters set for the exercise machine are visualized on the second display 5 or correspondingly on both the second and third displays 5, 5A.
During the training session, the user can modify the exercise machine 200 settings, for example increasing or decreasing the value of a pre-set parameter.
For example, when the display unit 100 is associated to a treadmill, by acting on keys 15 and 16 the parameter “belt speed” can be increased or decreased, while by acting on keys 17 and 18 the parameter “belt inclination” can be increased or decreased.
Practically it has been established how the display unit 100 according to the disclosure reaches its intended scope in that it has a simple structure that can be produced at a relatively low cost, can be easily and intuitively operated by the user and where the negative effects of contaminating agents, especially drops of sweat, are mitigated.
Naturally, without prejudice to the scope of the disclosure, many variations and implementation details thereof may be applied to the above-described exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, without departing from the scope of protection of the disclosure as defined in the accompanying claims. For example, the screen 21 could be made of another material, the displays could use visualization modes and technologies different to those described above, etc.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102023000016680 | Aug 2023 | IT | national |
