Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof – Bicycling
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-10
2001-01-09
Crow, Stephen R. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Bicycling
C482S900000, C482S901000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171218
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to an exercise apparatus and, more particularly, to an exercise apparatus which transmits data to and receives data from a remote location.
2. Description of Related Art
Many exercisers currently utilize one or more exercise devices in their training routines. These exercise devices include, for example, weight machines, stair climbers, rowing machines, treadmills, and stationary bicycles. Some of these devices are controllable by microcomputers in accordance with exerciser-selected programs which set and/or vary the exercise level during program execution.
FIGS. 1 and 2
illustrate a stationary bicycle
5
which provides automatically-varying exercise levels as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,358,105 to Sweeney, Jr. The control system for the stationary bicycle includes a microcomputer
10
which communicates electronically with a keyboard
12
, a read-only memory
14
, and a display
16
. The read-only memory
14
stores the operating program for microcomputer
10
and a plurality of pre-stored exercise programs which are selectable by an exerciser. Movement of pedals
20
rotates a sprocket
22
, which causes a chain
24
to drive a small diameter sprocket
26
attached to a flywheel
28
. The variable load which an exerciser must overcome in order to rotate sprocket
22
is generated by an alternator
30
, which provides a variable resistance to the effort of the exerciser through its driving connection with flywheel
28
by a gear belt
32
. Microcomputer
10
controls the loading circuit of alternator
30
. The output of microcomputer
10
on line
34
is a pulse width modulated signal, the width of which is proportional to the effort required by the exerciser. The changes in pulse width vary the field current in the alternator to cause variations in the resistance of the alternator to the force exerted by the operator. An exerciser using the stationary bicycle may select a pre-stored exercise program from read-only memory
14
for execution by microcomputer
10
to automatically vary the exercise difficulty level by generating pulses whose width is a function of the effort required by the exerciser. Using keyboard
12
, an exerciser is also able to select a difficulty level and an exercise time.
From workout to workout, an exerciser will often select different exercise programs and set different difficulty levels and/or exercise times in order, for example, to achieve particular fitness goals and/or to avoid injury. Thus, for example, an exerciser may select an exercise program, difficulty level, and exercise time which define a relatively easy workout on a day following a hard workout. In addition, after several months of a training routine, an exerciser will likely find that he or she is able to use an exercise device at higher difficulty levels and/or for longer exercise times. Thus, an exerciser will likely find that he or she is capable of pedaling a stationary bicycle in accordance with selected exercise programs for a longer exercise time at a higher difficulty level than at the beginning of the training routine. Similarly, an exerciser using a weight machine will likely find that he or she will be able to perform more repetitions using more weight (or resistance) after several months of a training program.
However, the memories of exercise apparatus of the type described above are typically programmed by the manufacturer and cannot be changed by dealers or consumers. Thus, such exercise apparatus generally provide only a limited number of exercise programs from which an exerciser may select. While a manufacturer could provide a greater number of pre-stored exercise programs, this would require an increase in the size of read-only memory
14
, thereby increasing costs. And even if a larger memory were provided for storing more programs, the memory contents would still not be changeable by dealers and/or consumers and the manufacturer would still not be ensured that the exercise programs satisfy the requirements of all exercisers, particularly exercisers having specific exercise needs or goals. The fixed memory contents may also lead to boredom on the part of the exerciser who must repeatedly choose an exercise program from the same selection of exercise programs. This boredom may cause the exerciser to reduce, or even stop, using the exercise apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an exercise apparatus includes an exercise device, a memory including a first memory portion, and a receiver for receiving exercise programs transmitted over a first communication link. A control unit supplies received exercise programs to the first memory portion for storage in the first memory portion as first exercise programs and selectively controls the exercise device in accordance with the first exercise programs.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating an exercise apparatus including an exercise device and a memory with a first memory portion includes the steps of receiving exercise programs transmitted over a first communication link, supplying received exercise programs to the first memory portion for storage in the first memory portion as first exercise programs, and selectively controlling the exercise device in accordance with the first exercise programs.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a central office for an exercise system includes generating circuitry for generating an exercise program for controlling an exercise device and a transmitter for transmitting the exercise program over a communication link.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of providing exercise programs for controlling an exercise device includes the steps of generating an exercise program for controlling an exercise device and transmitting the exercise program over a communication link.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, an exercise system includes a central office having generating circuitry for generating an exercise program for controlling an exercise device and a transmitter for transmitting the exercise program over a communication link. The exercise system further includes at least one exercise apparatus including an exercise device, a memory including a first memory portion, and a receiver for receiving exercise programs transmitted over the communication link. The exercise apparatus further includes a control unit for supplying the received exercise programs to the first memory portion for storage in the first memory portion as first exercise programs and for selectively controlling the exercise device in accordance with the first exercise programs.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating an exercise device including a memory having a first memory portion includes the steps of generating an exercise program for controlling an exercise device, transmitting the exercise program over a communication link, receiving exercise programs transmitted over the communication link, supplying received exercise programs to the first memory portion for storage in the first memory portion as first exercise programs, and selectively controlling the exercise device in accordance with the first exercise programs.
Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the memory of an exercise apparatus may be downloaded with exercise programs from a remote location. As new exercise programs are developed for exercise apparatus, these programs may be easily supplied to apparatus already “in the field.” In addition, exercise apparatus may be provided with the capability of uploading data to a central office to permit monitoring of the use of an exercise apparatus and of the selection of exercise programs. The present invention provides the further ability to transmitting text data including messages, news headlines, sports scores, stock market prices, weather reports, advertisements, and the like for display at th
LandOfFree
Exercise apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Exercise apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Exercise apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2465868