Patent Application
20080161161
The present invention relates to a display for exercise equipment.
The benefits of regular aerobic exercise have been well established and accepted. However, due to time constraints, inclement weather, and other reasons, many people are prevented from aerobic activities such as walking, jogging, running, and swimming. As a result, a variety of exercise equipment has been developed for aerobic activity.
From their humble beginnings as free weights and bicycles mounted on wooden platforms, exercise equipment such as stationary bicycles, elliptical exercise equipment, stair climbers, and the like have grown increasingly sophisticated. However, the very advantage of the exercise equipment described above—the ability to use such equipment conveniently, in a relatively confined space, and in inclement weather—results in exercise devices that can be relatively monotonous to use for some users.
It is well known that the more stimulating and enjoyable the experience of exercising is to a user, the longer and more frequently that user will exercise. Unfortunately, many users find spending long hours doing repetitive forms of stationary exercise hard work and boring, sometimes so much so that the exercise equipment is abandoned in favor of something more entertaining.
Accordingly, many exercise equipment users and exercise equipment design allow for the user to vary his or her motion during use. Treadmills, for example, enable a user to vary his or her pace or stride from a walk, to a jog or to a sprint. Many steppers and elliptical exercise machines enable a user to vary his or her stride length or stride angle to achieve different motions. Still other exercise devices enable a user to select from or two or more different exercise paths during use. The flexibility of such exercise devices provides a user with a broader range of available exercise routines or motions making the exercise machines more enjoyable to use in a repetitive manner. Such workout flexibility provides a user the ability to exercise different or more muscle groups.
Additionally, exercise equipment users are often increasingly more interested in monitoring their workout on exercise equipment, including monitoring such parameters as speed, distance, heart rate, resistance, calories burned, and other available parameters. However, in many existing exercise devices, communicating such information to users requires the user to manipulate numerous controls or to navigate many display screens or windows in order to access desired workout information.
Thus, a continuing need exists for a display for exercise equipment that provides additional information to the user. Additionally, there is a continuing need for improved displays that are specifically configured for exercise devices with multiple exercise positions, paths, motions, stride lengths and/or stride angles. What is needed is a type of display that can communicate a user's current path, stride length, motion etc. on an exercise device in a manner that is immediate, user-friendly and effective. It is desirable to provide such an improved display for exercise equipment that makes exercise more enjoyable for the user and improves the feedback of the user's motion, path or stride to the user.
The present invention provides a display system for exercise equipment includes a processor, a memory, a metric sensor and a metric display. The display system is in communication with a remote processor. The memory and the metric sensor are in communication with the processor. The metric sensor senses an extent of a metric of a user of the exercise equipment. The metric display is in communication with the processor. The metric display displays the user metric in a generally oscillating manner.
According to a principal aspect of a preferred form of the invention, a metric display system for an exercise equipment display system. The metric display system includes a position sensor and a metric display. The position sensor senses an extent of a metric of a user of the exercise equipment. The metric display is in communication with the position sensor. The metric display is configured to display the metric in an oscillating manner proportional to the extent of the metric.
According to another preferred aspect of the invention, a display for a user metric on exercise equipment includes a plurality of light bars. The light bars display an extent of the user metric. The light bars are grouped into at least first and second zones corresponding to different amounts of the extent of the user metric. The light bars of the first zone produce a light of a first color, and the light bars of the second zone produce a light of a second color that is different from the first color.
This invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings described herein below, and wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.
While an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Referring to
While the principles of the metric display for exercise equipment of the present invention are applicable to virtually any exercise equipment display, the present description can make use of the disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/388,565 filed on Mar. 24, 2006 and entitled “Flexible Display Assembly for Fitness Trainers,” which is owned by the same assignee as the present application and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference. The display system 10 can convey information both to and from the user. The display system 10 can include a base unit 120 and a first upper module 122. The base unit 120 has a generally planar front operating surface 200 including a plurality of controls and display windows. The base unit 120 can further include an edge region 202 generally framing at least three side edges of the operating surface 200, first and second side edges 204 and lower and upper edges 208 and 210. The edge region 202 is positioned adjacent the first and second side edges 204 and 206 and the lower edge region 206.
The base unit 120 can include a publication holder 123. The base unit 120 also includes a display area 124 that, in one embodiment, can comprise a central screen 126 and first and second peripheral displays 128, 130. The central screen 126 can be used to select and monitor the most frequently used exercise programs from a single layer list while less frequently used exercise programs may also be accessed through a deep display list. Such programs can be related to time, calories, metabolic equivalents (METs), distance or other factors. In one embodiment, the first and second peripheral screens 128 and 130 can display operational parameters of the exercise equipment such as, for example, calories burned, heart rate, speed, distance, resistance level, etc. The display area 124 can also include the metric display 12 described in more detail below.
A display control area 145 can be provided that can include increment/decrement arrows 147, a “back” button, an “options” button, and an “OK” button. The base unit 120 can further include a numerical key area 141 that includes the numerals 0-9 as well as a clear key and an input key. In one preferred embodiment, the numerical key area 141, or other controls on the base unit 120, can be used to operate audio and/or visual components positioned either above, or remote from, the base unit 120. In addition, a programs key area 143 can be provided that can include a plurality of pre-programmed generic or user specific exercise routines or programs. The base unit 120 can further include a lower base area 149. The lower base area 149 can comprise a plurality of peripheral display areas 152. The peripheral display areas 152 can include display selection buttons 160 for the user to select from the available display options.
In one embodiment, the lower base area 149 can further include a centrally positioned, raised input area 167. The raised input area 167 can include a “quick start” button 169, pursuant to which the user can start the fitness device with a single input function. In addition, adjust increment/decrement arrows 172 can be provided on the input area 167. The adjust increment/decrement arrows 172 enables the use to change the setting of the fitness trainer with a single control input at any time during the workout.
Referring to
The T2 board can include a connector for loading and reading flash and EEPROM memory. The connector can be for example a JTAG connector available from JTAG Technologies Inc., 1006 Butterworth Court, Stevensville, Md. 21666 USA. Multiple serial ports can be provided for: communications with the local processor; Communication Specification for Fitness Equipment (CSAFE) communications; and USB, wireless or other form of network interface.
Electronic devices may be incorporated into the display system 10 such as timers, odometers, speedometers, heart rate indicators, energy expenditure recorders, controls, etc. To allow time-stamping of workout records, an internal clock with an internal battery backup and a user interface to allow the user to adjust the time can be provided. A speed sensor can be preferably provided. In one embodiment, the speed sensor can be based on zero crossing of one phase of a SPAM generator, 51 pulses per revolution or 2 strides. A resistance can be provided by a generator or a brake system. The display system 10 can also include a heart rate interface having a heart rate receiver and display window. In one embodiment the heart rate receiver can be supplied from Polar Electro Inc., 1111 Marcus Avenue, Suite M15, Lake Success, N.Y. 11042 USA.
Referring to
As seen in
Examples of such positional sensor 18 can include an optical position sensor for a pendulum motion exercise apparatus, a displacement sensor, a deflection sensor or a load sensor such as a Linearly Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) or a strain gauge for a treadmill device, and the like.
Referring to
The metric display 12 includes a plurality of display bars 21 which can be, as in this example, fifteen. In alternative embodiments, other quantities of display bars can be used. The display bars 21 display a metric of the user, such as the foot motion of the user and track the extent of the metric, such as the length of the foot motion in a generally horizontal direction. The plurality of display bars 21 can be grouped into regions or metric operating zones corresponding to different regions or zones of the foot motion of the user. Thus, continuing the example of fifteen display bars 21, the display bars one, two, and fourteen, fifteen can represent a relative long stride zone 23 (or the limits of the long stride zone 23); display bars three through five and eleven through thirteen can represent a relative middle stride zone 25 (or the limits of the middle stride zone), and display bars six through ten can represent a shorter horizontal stride zone 27 (or the limits of the shorter horizontal stride zone).
In one embodiment, each of the stride zones can be color coordinated to convey information regarding the extent of the metric of the user, such as the generally horizontal length of the foot motion of the user. Thus, in one embodiment: the relatively shorter horizontal stride zone 27 can comprise the color green to designate that the user is in a stepping-type foot motion with limited generally horizontal movement; the relative middle stride zone 25 can comprise the color yellow to designate the user has transitioned to a longer stride zone; and the relative long stride zone 23 can be colored orange designating that the user has reached maximum stride operating position. Alternatively, in some applications, the green color can be used to communicate to the user that he or she is operating the exercise device in a “safe” striding zone; the yellow color produced by the display bars corresponding to a user's stride can be used to communicate to the user that he or she may be pushing beyond the “safe” stride zone, and the orange color produced by the display bars can be used to communicate that the user may be overexerting/risking injury.
In another embodiment, each of the stride zones can further include human icons 26, 28, 30 corresponding to the stride zones 23, 25, 27 that display graphic information on the length of stride as well as the muscle groups being taxed. Thus, icon 26 can correspond to the relative shorter horizontal stride zone 27 and can highlight those muscle groups utilized during a stepping foot motion. Icon 28 can correspond to the relative middle stride zone 25 and can highlight those muscle groups utilized during walking or jogging. Icon 30 can correspond to the relative long stride zone 23 and can highlight the muscle groups utilized while running.
Referring to
The partition housing 36 is coupled to the electronics board 14 through openings 46 in the electronic board 14. The partition housing 36 extends over the electronics board and includes a plurality of partitions 48 defining a plurality of generally pie-slice shaped openings 50. Each opening 50 is aligned with and corresponds to a row of three LEDs 42 on the electronics board 14. The openings 50 enable light emitted from a particular row of three LEDs to pass through the housing 36, and the partitions 48 inhibit the light from bleeding into adjacent openings 50 (or slices). The housing 36 is formed of a lightweight durable material, preferably a plastic. Alternatively, other materials can be used. In alternative preferred embodiments, the partitions and/or LED arrangement can be configured to form openings or patterns of different shapes and/or different sizes. The number of openings 50 can also be varied.
The overlay 38 is positioned over the partition housing 36. The overlay 38 diffuses the light emitted by the LEDs 42 and passing through the openings 50. The overlay 38 blends the light emitted by the row of three LEDs 42 together to provide the appearance of a single solid bar of light (the light bar 21). The overlay 38 is preferably formed of a translucent material. Alternatively, the overlay can be formed of transparent, semi-transparent and/or semi-translucent materials. In one embodiment, the overlay 38 has an opaque appearance such that when the LEDs 42 are not energized, the appearance of the overlay 38 is dark or black in color. When the LEDs 42 are energized, the light is diffused and shown through the overlay 38. The contrast between the opaque color of the portion of the overlay 38 over the de-energized LEDs and the portion of the overlay 38 over the energized LEDs accentuates the appearance of the light bar 21 on the display 12. In one embodiment, the partitions 48 and the overlay 38 inhibit light from bleeding over into adjacent openings 50 thereby providing the metric display 14 with a very sharp and clean appearance as the light bars 21 energize and de-energize to track the foot motion of the user. In an alternative embodiment, the partitions 48 and/or the overlay 38 can be configured to direct and diffuse the light from the LEDs 42 such that the solid light bar 21 is formed and a small amount of light radiates to either side of the light bar 21 providing a wider, glowing or sweeping appearance to the light bar 21, as the light bars energize and de-energize to track the foot motion of the user.
The light bars 21 are represented as S1 through S15. In accordance with the embodiment, the stride zones 23, 25 and 27 can be color coordinated as described above, the LEDs can be configured to provide different colors such that a separate color can designate a separate stride zone. The LEDs 42 forming the light bars 21 designated as S6 through S10 can generate a green color. The LEDs 42 forming the light bars 21 designated as S3 through S5 and S11 through S13 can generate a yellow color. Finally, the LEDs forming the light bars 21 designated as S1 and S2 and S14 and S15 can generate an orange color. Alternatively, the overlay 38 can be colored or tinted to alter the color of the light as different LEDs or light bars are energized. In other embodiments, other colors and color combinations can be used. In other embodiments, more or less stride zones (or other designated zones) can be used.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Accordingly, the metric display 12 communicates the user's stride length to the user in a very effective, immediate and a visually appealing manner. Further, the metric display 12 also illustrates the speed of the user's foot motion. The metric display 12 provides direct feedback to the user in a very user-friendly manner and entertaining manner, thereby making the user's experience more enjoyable. The metric display 12 also can make the user's exercise experience more beneficial by providing direct feedback on the user's motion enabling the user to maintain and/or adjust his or her motion to meet his or her desires or goals.
In addition to the metric display 12, a numerical readout of the user's stride length and/or speed can be displayed on the display system 10. The numerical display can be used by the user to further understand or calibrate his or her motion and exercise routine on the exercise device.
The metric displays of
In other alternative embodiments, an entire stride zone can be illuminated when a user's stride corresponds to that particular zone. In another alternative preferred embodiment, the metric display can incorporate an oscillating needle or other form of indicator that oscillates back and forth tracking the user's motion or other desired metric. The speed and amplitude of the needle's movement can track the speed and length of the user's stride, similar to the above described embodiments.
Referring to
The active LOW hardware reset pin (/RESET) and Power-On Reset (POR) initialize the registers to their default state causing the bits to be set HIGH (LED off). The driver U2 is input with serial data 66 and a serial clock 68. The serial data 66 and a serial clock 68 are also input into the controller U3. The controller U3 is a peripheral device which interfaces to the LCD panel. The controller U3 generates the drive signals for the LCD panel. U3 communicates via a two-line bidirectional I2C-bus.
Referring to
Alternatively, the light bars 21a can be used as a peak hold indicator. Referring to
Referring to
When sound is employed, the metric display can be configured to produce audio signals in response to a metric. The volume, pitch, and/or sound pattern of the sound can vary in association with the extent of a metric, thereby providing an alternate or additional approach to communicating the extent of a metric to a user. In one embodiment, referring to
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be appreciated that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, components other than LEDs or LCDs can be used to generate the light of the light bar. In one example, electro-luminescent light elements can be used or other existing light generating components.
