Patent Application
20250161756
The world of connected fitness is an ever-expanding one. This world can include a user taking part in an activity (e.g., running, cycling, lifting weights, and so on), other users also performing the activity, and other users doing other activities. The users may be utilizing a fitness machine (e.g., a treadmill, a stationary bike, a strength machine, a stationary rower, and so on), or may be moving through the world on a bicycle or other equipment.
A user interface, whether a mobile device, a display device, or a display that is part of a machine, can provide or present interactive content to the users. For example, the user interface can present live or recorded classes, video tutorials of activities, leaderboards and other competitive or interactive features, progress indicators (e.g., via time, distance, and other metrics), and so on.
Some of these classes are built around power zones, where users exercise through different zones or segments during a class to achieve a certain level of strength, endurance, and/or performance. A power zone may be a range of outputs, where the power zone represents an effort level (or range of effort levels). For example, a power zone can define a range of outputs, where an output is measured in watts and is determined as a combination of cadence (speed) and resistance. Thus, a class, or “ride,” can include multiple power zones that define or represent different effort levels (e.g., between easy and maximum effort).
Embodiments of the present technology will be described and explained through the use of the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings, some components are not drawn to scale, and some components and/or operations can be separated into different blocks or combined into a single block for discussion of some of the implementations of the present technology. Moreover, while the technology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific implementations have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the technology to the particular implementations described. On the contrary, the technology is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the technology as defined by the appended claims.
Various systems and methods that enhance an exercise activity performed by a user are described. In some embodiments, the systems and methods provide for an auto- follow mode of operation during a power zone class or other class/activity that includes segments of prescribed or instructed efforts, which are performed and/or attempted by the participants of the class.
During a class, an instructor may call out (e.g., cue) power zones levels, encouraging the class participants to perform the exercise (e.g., cycling) with an output that sits within the output levels defined by the power zones. Such a class may be geared towards increasing a user's endurance, strength, fitness, or other physical or athletic attributes.
To provide additional benefits for a user and/or to assist the user's performance during an exercise activity (or other connected fitness experience), an exercise machine (e.g., exercise bike, treadmill) and associated connected fitness platform may provide systems and methods that utilize power zones and classes that are based around power zone training. The exercise bicycle and/or treadmill may include components (e.g., an electronic brake, motor, or other resistance system) that operates to adjust a resistance or difficulty level applied to the exercise machine without input from a user and in response the instructor cues or other inputs associated with the class.
For example, the exercise machine (or a system associated with the exercise machine, such as an auto-follow system) may be configured to cause a resistance system to automatically adjust a resistance applied to the exercise machine as the user moves between power zones during the exercise class (e.g., when cued or instructed).
The auto-follow system may receive cue data synchronized with a streaming exercise class presented by a display of the exercise machine, determine a current output of a user of the exercise machine performing an exercise activity during the streaming exercise class, and cause the exercise machine to adjust its resistance to maintain and/or modify a current output of the user within a range of output values identified by the received cue data.
Thus, the systems and methods may facilitate and/or provide an auto-follow mode of operation during a power zone class or other class/activity that includes segments of prescribed or instructed efforts for users. The systems and methods may synchronize auto-follow operations (e.g., changes in resistance) to instructions or cues spoken during an ongoing exercise class (e.g., live streamed or pre-recorded), and make adjustments to maintain or modify the user's output during the exercise class.
Various embodiments of the systems and methods will now be described. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding and an enabling description of these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand, however, that these embodiments may be practiced without many of these details. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in detail, so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description of the various embodiments. The terminology used in the description presented below is intended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments.
The technology described herein is directed, in some embodiments, to providing a user with an enhanced user experience when performing an exercise activity, such as an exercise activity as part of a connected fitness system or other exercise system. As described herein, the exercise activity can be an exercise class that includes power zone training or other output or effort focused training during an exercise activity (e.g., cycling, running, walking, and so on).
The network environment 100 includes an activity environment 102, where a user 105 is performing an exercise activity, such as a cycling activity. In some cases, the user 105 can perform the activity with an exercise machine 110, such as an exercise bicycle. The exercise activity performed by the user 105 can include a variety of different workouts, activities, actions, and/or movements, such as movements associated with stretching, doing yoga, lifting weights, rowing, running, cycling, jumping, sports movements (e.g., throwing a ball, pitching a ball, hitting, swinging a racket, swinging a golf club, kicking a ball, hitting a puck), and so on.
The exercise machine 110 can assist or facilitate the user 105 to perform the movements and/or can present interactive content to the user 105 when the user 105 performs the activity. For example, the exercise machine 110 can be a stationary bicycle, a stationary rower, a treadmill, a weight machine, or other machines. As another example, the exercise machine 110 can be a display device that presents content (e.g., classes, dynamically changing video, audio, gamified content and experiences, instructional content, and so on) to the user 105 during an activity or workout.
In some cases, the exercise machine 110 can include and/or support an auto-follow system or automatic modification of one or more settings or parameters associated with the machine during an exercise class of activity. For example, the exercise machine 110, such as an exercise bicycle or treadmill, may support and/or provide an auto-follow mode of operation. During the auto-follow mode of operation, the exercise 110 machine automatically adjusts its settings in accordance with target ranges.
For example, an exercise bicycle may automatically adjust the resistance, via an electronic brake (e.g., as part of a resistance system), applied to a flywheel in accordance with a target resistance range. As another example, a treadmill may automatically adjust the speed and/or incline, via one or more motors, in accordance with a target speed or incline range.
As another example, the exercise machine 110 may be a resistance trainer (e.g., a smart trainer) that couples with a bicycle (e.g., a road bike), where the resistance trainer applies resistance to the bicycle (e.g., the front wheel) as the user pedals their bicycle.
In some cases, the exercise machine 110 may also adjust one or more settings (e.g., resistance, incline, speed, and so on), to maintain a user's performance within a certain power zone or effort zone, such as by maintaining a user's total calculated output within a certain zone assigned to a current activity or segment within the activity. For example, when the user has a power zone of 4 (out of 7 zones) associated with an output range of 150-175 watts, the auto-follow mode may automatically adjust the resistance of the flywheel to maintain the user's output level within the range assigned to the current zone.
Similarly, the auto-follow mode may perform automatic adjustments to maintain the user in other output or effort levels, such as within a target heart rate zone, within or near a score associated with a user's calculated or determined effort, and so on. Further details regarding the implementation of the auto-follow mode with the exercise machine 110 can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 11,794,054, issued on Nov. 24, 2023, entitled BRAKING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXERCISE EQUIPMENT, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The exercise machine 110 includes or incorporates a media hub 120 and a user interface 125. The media hub 120, in some cases, captures images and/or video of the user 105, such as images of the user 105 performing different movements, or poses, during an activity. The media hub 120 can include a camera or cameras, a camera sensor or sensors, or other optical sensors configured to capture the images or video of the user 105.
In some cases, the media hub 120 includes components configured to present or display information to the user 105. For example, the media hub 120 can be part of a set-top box or other similar device that outputs signals to a display, such as the user interface 125. Thus, the media hub 120 can operate to both capture images of the user 105 during an activity, while also presenting content (e.g., time-based or distance-based experiences, streamed classes, workout statistics, and so on) to the user 105 during the activity.
The user interface 125 provides the user 105 with an interactive experience during the activity. For example, the user interface 125 can present user-selectable options that identify live classes available to the user 105, pre-recorded classes available to the user 105, historical activity information for the user 105, progress information for the user 105, instructional or tutorial information for the user 105, and other content (e.g., video, audio, images, text, and so on), that is associated with the user 105 and/or activities performed (or to be performed) by the user 105.
The exercise machine 110, the media hub 120, and/or the user interface 125 can send or receive information over a network 130, such as a wireless network. Thus, in some cases, the user interface 125 (and/or aspects of the media hub 120) is part of a display device (e.g., a display attached to the exercise machine 110), that receives content from (and sends information, such as user selections) a playback system 140 over the network 130. In other cases, the media hub 120 controls the communication of content to/from the playback system 140 over the network 130 and presents the content to the user via the user interface 125.
The playback system 140, located at one or more servers remote from the user 105, can access content via a class database 150, which stores content 155 to be presented during real-time or archived classes. In some cases, the content 155 can include a power zone class or classes, such as those described herein, where an instructor calls out different power zones for different segments of a class or exercise activity.
As described herein, the playback system 140 can include an auto-follow system 160 that implements an auto-follow mode for a class or activity, which enables the exercise machine 110 to receive cues or other information from a class performed by a user and automatically adjust machine settings (e.g., resistance, speed, incline, and so on) to maintain the user's effort or performance within certain power zones, effort zones, heart rate zones, and so on. In some embodiments, the auto-follow system 160 may be part of or integrated into the exercise machine 110, such as within the display or other computing system of the exercise machine 110.
The network or cloud 130 can be any network, ranging from a wired or wireless local area network (LAN), to a wired or wireless wide area network (WAN), to the Internet or some other public or private network, to a cellular (e.g., 4G, LTE, 5G, or 6G network), and so on. While the connections between the various devices and the network 130 and are shown as separate connections, these connections can be any kind of local, wide area, wired, or wireless network, public or private.
Further, any or all components depicted in the Figures described herein can be supported and/or implemented via one or more computing systems or servers. Although not required, aspects of the various components or systems are described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as routines executed by a general-purpose computer, e.g., mobile device, a server computer, or personal computer. The system can be practiced with other communications, data processing, or computer system configurations, including: Internet appliances, hand-held devices, wearable devices, or mobile devices (e.g., smart phones, tablets, laptops, smart watches), all manner of cellular or mobile phones, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, set-top boxes, network PCs, mini-computers, mainframe computers, AR/VR devices, gaming devices, and the like. Indeed, the terms “computer,” “host,” and “host computer,” and “mobile device” and “handset” are generally used interchangeably herein and refer to any of the above devices and systems, as well as any data processor.
Aspects of the system can be embodied in a special purpose computing device or data processor that is specifically programmed, configured, or constructed to perform one or more of the computer-executable instructions explained in detail herein. Aspects of the system may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks or modules are performed by remote processing devices, which are linked through a communications network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or the Internet. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
Aspects of the system may be stored or distributed on computer-readable media (e.g., physical and/or tangible non-transitory computer-readable storage media), including magnetically or optically readable computer discs, hard-wired or preprogrammed chips (e.g., EEPROM semiconductor chips), nanotechnology memory, or other data storage media. Indeed, computer implemented instructions, data structures, screen displays, and other data under aspects of the system may be distributed over the Internet or over other networks (including wireless networks), or they may be provided on any analog or digital network (packet switched, circuit switched, or other scheme). Portions of the system may reside on a server computer, while corresponding portions may reside on a client computer such as an exercise machine, display device, or mobile or portable device, and thus, while certain hardware platforms are described herein, aspects of the system are equally applicable to nodes on a network. In some cases, the mobile device or portable device may represent the server portion, while the server may represent the client portion.
As described herein, in some embodiments, the systems and methods provide for an auto-follow mode of operation during a power zone class or other class/activity that includes segments of prescribed or instructed efforts for users. For example, as a zone changes (e.g., moves from a segment associated with zone 3, or medium effort, to a segment associated with zone 4, or high effort) within a cycling class, the exercise bicycle can automatically adjust its resistance to move the user into the new zone. Similarly, as the user slows their cadence, the bike can increase its resistance to maintain the user within the zone (e.g., near a center of a range of output levels for the zone).
In some embodiments, the auto-follow system 160 can respond to or perform actions in response to receiving instructor cue data, such as data that is synchronized (e.g., synced) with a video of an exercise or fitness class.
In operation 210, the auto-follow system 160 receives cue data synchronized with a streaming class. For example, the system 160 may access or receive cue data, spoken by an instructor of a power zone class, that identifies a current or next power zone in which the user is to perform an exercise activity (e.g., cycling, running, rowing). The cue data can identify an output or effort level range for the power zone, such as an output range that is specific to the user (e.g., based on the user's current fitness levels or goals).
In some cases, the ranges can be specified (e.g., zone 4=150-175 watts) and/or a percentage of a user's functional threshold power (FTP), such as a user's ability to maintain a certain level of power for a certain time range (e.g., 1 hour). The ranges, therefore, can be a percentage of the user's FTP (e.g., zone 3, a tempo zone=80 percent of FTP).
In operation 220, the auto-follow system 160 determines a current output of the user performing the activity. For example, the system 160 can access the settings or performance of the user (e.g., cadence and/or resistance values or metrics) via the user's exercise bicycle and determine the current output level performed by the user.
In operation 230, the auto-follow system 160 automatically adjusts a setting of an exercise machine to maintain the user's output within an identified range. For example, the system 160 may cause the exercise bike to increase the resistance when the user is in a certain zone (e.g., zone 3) and the received cue is a higher effort zone (e.g., zone 4).
In some embodiments, the auto-follow system 160 may implement certain controls, to provide an optimal and safe experience to a user during a power zone class or other effort-based fitness activity.
For example, the system 160 may include hysteresis control, or zone control. When implementing zone control, the system 160 accepts a main power setpoint and a range of acceptable upper and lower power limits, to realize power zone control. The system 160 may temporarily disabling all feedforward and feedback control signals and freeze automatic resistance changes when a power feedback signal is within the bounds of an acceptable power range.
When a power feedback signal exceeds an upper or lower permitted range, the system 160 re-enables the feedforward and feedback controllers with the setpoint adjusted to be equal to the power limit that is or was exceeded. Further, when the power feedback signal is within the range and no other limits are exceeded, the resistance is maintained, and the feedforward and feedback controls are disabled. Thus, the system 160, in some cases, may use the midpoint of a zone as a target output level.
In operation 410, the auto-follow system 160 receives cue data synchronized with a streaming exercise class presented by a display of the exercise machine. As described herein, the cue data may identify an output or effort level range for the power zone, such as an output range that is specific to the user (e.g., based on the user's current fitness levels or goals).
In operation 420, the auto-follow system 160 identifies a midpoint level for a range of output values identified by the received cue data. For example, the system 150 may identify a midpoint level within a zone that is associated with a main power setpoint within a range of acceptable upper and lower power/output limits for the range of output values.
In operation 430, the auto-follow system 160 determines a current output level exhibited by a user of the exercise machine performing an exercise activity via the exercise machine. For example, the system 160 accesses the settings or performance of the user (e.g., cadence and/or resistance values or metrics) via the user's exercise bicycle and determine the current output level performed by the user.
In operation 440, the auto-follow system 160 adjusts a resistance applied to the exercise machine to modify the current output level exhibited by the user to the midpoint level for the range of output values. For example, the system 160 may adjust the resistance to move the output level of the user to the midpoint level, or within the range of acceptable upper and lower power/output limits, during a certain segment or section of the exercise class.
As another example, the system 160 may implement rate limit control, where the system 160 follows and/or provides a global limit or threshold for a permissible rate of change of resistance, while the resistance is being automatically adjusted. The system 160, in some cases, may apply a unique or specific limit for an increase in resistance (e.g., no higher than a change of 15 percent in the resistance) and/or a unique or specific limit for a decrease in resistance (e.g., no higher than a change of 20 percent in the resistance).
In some cases, the limit may be unique or specific to the user (e.g., the user is a beginner or not experienced performing a certain exercise activity), unique or specific to a current effort performed or exhibited by the user (e.g., the heart rate of the user is at or above a certain level), unique or specific to the current resistance level, unique or specific to the current power zone, and so on. Such a limit may provide a safe or optimal experience, as the system 160 modifies the resistance during a class in a smooth or gradual manner.
As another example, the system 160 may implement a cadence (or speed) limit, where the system 160 enables or provides a minimum (or maximum) permissible cadence (or speed) limit. For example, when a user's cadence slows down past the limit, the automatic adjustment of resistance can be disabled immediately or after a configurable period of time. The limit may be reached regardless of what resistance the bike is currently set to and whether or not the bike is currently in the middle of executing a move under other controls described herein. In some cases, the automatic resistance control may resume when the user increases their cadence above (or below) the limit.
Thus, the auto-follow system 160, performing the method 200 or the method 400, may implement one, some, or all the controls during operation, to ensure a safe and/or enhanced experience for the user of an exercise machine during a power zone class or activity, among other benefits.
As described herein, aspects of the technology may be implemented as one or more embodiments.
For example, in some embodiments, an exercise bicycle includes a frame, a flywheel, a display, a resistance system (e.g., electronic brake) coupled to the flywheel and configured to adjust a resistance applied to the flywheel, and an auto-follow system configured to cause the resistance system to automatically adjust the resistance applied to the flywheel, by receiving cue data synchronized with a streaming exercise class presented by the display, determining a current output of a user of the exercise bicycle performing an exercise activity during the streaming exercise class, and causing the resistance system to adjust the resistance applied to the flywheel to maintain the current output of the user within a range of output values identified by the received cue data.
In some cases, the cue data is associated with an output range spoken by an instructor of the streaming exercise class during presentation of the streaming exercise class.
In some cases, the output range spoken by the instructor is a power zone associated with an effort level for performing the exercise activity, and wherein maintaining the current output of the user within a range of output values identified by the received cue data includes selecting output values mapped to the power zone that are specific to the user performing the exercise activity.
In some cases, the output values mapped to the power zone that are specific to the user include output values that are based on percentage of a functional threshold power (FTP) of the user when performing the exercise activity.
In some cases, determining a current output of a user of the exercise bicycle performing the exercise activity during the streaming exercise class includes accessing a resistance setting and a cadence setting of the exercise bicycle while the user is performing the exercise activity.
In some cases, the auto-follow system identifies a midpoint level for the range of output values identified by the received cue data and causes the resistance system to adjust the resistance applied to the flywheel to cause the current output of the user to match the identified midpoint level for the range of output values.
In some cases, the auto-follow system identifies a percentage change associated with adjusting the current output of the user to the range of output values identified by the received cue data, determines the identified percentage change exceeds a maximum allowable change of output values, and causes the resistance system to adjust the resistance applied to the flywheel to cause the current output of the user to adjust an output value that is associated with the maximum allowable change of output values.
In some cases, the maximum allowable change of output values is specific to an increase in a resistance applied to the flywheel during the exercise activity.
In some cases, the maximum allowable change of output values is specific to a decrease in a resistance applied to the flywheel during the exercise activity.
In some cases, the maximum allowable change of output values is specific to the user performing the exercise activity.
In some cases, the maximum allowable change of output values is specific to a current effort level for the user performing the exercise activity.
In some cases, the auto-follow system identifies a percentage change associated with adjusting the current output of the user to the range of output values identified by the received cue data, determines a current heart rate of the user is outside of a threshold range of heart rate values for performing the exercise activity within the range of output values identified by the received cue data, and causes the resistance system to maintain a current resistance applied to the flywheel.
In some cases, the auto-follow system determines a cadence value associated with the user performing the exercise activity is outside of a threshold range of cadence values for performing the exercise activity within the range of output values identified by the received cue data and causes the resistance system to maintain a current resistance applied to the flywheel.
In some cases, the cadence value associated with the user performing the exercise activity is below a minimum value associated with automatically adjusting the resistance applied to the flywheel during the exercise activity.
In some cases, the cadence value associated with the user performing the exercise activity is above a maximum value associated with automatically adjusting the resistance applied to the flywheel during the exercise activity.
In some embodiments, a method performed by an auto-follow system of an exercise machine includes receiving cue data synchronized with a streaming exercise class presented a display of the exercise machine, determining a current output of a user of the exercise machine performing an exercise activity during the streaming exercise class, and causing a resistance system to adjust a resistance of the exercise machine to maintain the current output of the user within a range of output values identified by the received cue data.
In some cases, the method includes identifying a midpoint level for the range of output values identified by the received cue data and causing the resistance system to adjust the resistance applied to the exercise machine to cause the current output of the user to match the identified midpoint level for the range of output values.
In some cases, the method includes identifying a percentage change associated with adjusting the current output of the user to the range of output values identified by the received cue data, determining the identified percentage change exceeds a maximum allowable change of output values, and causing the resistance system to adjust the resistance applied to the exercise machine to cause the current output of the user to adjust an output value that is associated with the maximum allowable change of output values.
In some cases, the exercise machine is an exercise bicycle or a treadmill.
In some embodiments, a computing system of an exercise machine (or an auto-follow system) receives cue data synchronized with a streaming exercise class presented by a display of the exercise machine, identifies a midpoint level for a range of output values identified by the received cue data, determines a current output level exhibited by a user of the exercise machine performing an exercise activity via the exercise machine, and adjusts a resistance applied to the exercise machine to modify the current output level exhibited by the user to the midpoint level for the range of output values.
In some embodiments, a treadmill includes a frame, a deck having a moving surface, a display, a resistance system (e.g., a motor or other incline mechanism) coupled to the deck and configured to adjust an incline of the deck, and an auto-follow system configured to cause the resistance system to automatically adjust the incline applied to the deck, by receiving cue data synchronized with a streaming exercise class presented by the display, determining a current output of a user of the exercise bicycle performing an exercise activity during the streaming exercise class, and causing the resistance system to adjust the incline maintain the current output of the user within a range of output values identified by the received cue data.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or”, in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.
The above detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.
The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.
Any patents and applications and other references noted above, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure.
These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of the above Detailed Description. While the above description describes certain embodiments of the disclosure, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the teachings can be practiced in many ways. Details of the technology may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure under the claims.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, the embodiments are not limited except as by the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/599,752, filed on Nov. 16, 2023, entitled MODIFYING OPERATION OF AN EXERCISE MACHINE DURING A CONNECTED FITNESS EXPERIENCE, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63599752 | Nov 2023 | US |
