Internet Enabled Motivational Exercise System and Apparatus
An exercise apparatus and method comprises an internet enabled display device operatively connected to the exercise apparatus such as a treadmill allowing a user to exercise while using the internet for emailing, shopping or general browsing. At least one thumb activated input device is disposed on a gripping area of the apparatus allowing a user to control a pointing device while exercising. In order to motivate the user to maintain and meet optimum physiological reading parameters, the apparatus utilizes a control system that varies the output to the display device depending on the user's activity. If the heart-rate or other physiological reading indicator is outside of selected goal parameters, the display becomes less useable. As the user adjusts the level of exercise output and returns within the acceptable parameters, the display is restored to optimum usability.
During the 90's, the percentage of overweight and obese people in the United States jumped to over 60 percent. Perhaps as disturbing is the trend for our youth to be overweight as well. Heart disease and other health problems are believed to be the result of our ever increasing waistlines. Although experts seem to be continually changing their recommendations concerning our diet, almost all agree that exercising is an important component to a healthy lifestyle. While our ancestors tended to work at much more physical jobs that made the need for regimented and consistent exercise less important, the modern lifestyle filled with time and labor saving devices combined with an increase in “office” jobs and television and video entertainment has really heightened the need for deliberate exercise.
An explosion in health clubs and gyms has accompanied our desire to trim down, but the majority of people who join these establishments drop out after only a short period of time. Many people purchase home exercise equipment and many of these devices become clothes racks or dust catchers as people find themselves unmotivated to use them after a period of time. Many people perceive themselves to be too busy or tired to exercise and prefer to relax in front of the television or computer monitor as they surf the internet. Often people tend to “lose track of time” chatting with friends, reading and writing emails, shopping, etc. while browsing the world wide web, but this does little to help with exercise.
A need exists for an exercise apparatus and system appealing to users that lack a high level of commitment to an exercise program and allows them to engage in other activities while exercising. Additionally, a need exists for an exercise apparatus that motivates and rewards the user; thereby encouraging continued exercising and adoption of a healthier lifestyle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn exercise system and apparatus comprises an internet enabled display device operatively connected to the exercise apparatus such as a treadmill allowing a user to exercise while using the internet for emailing, shopping or general browsing. At least one thumb activated input device is disposed on a gripping area of the apparatus allowing a user to control a pointing device while exercising. In order to motivate the user to maintain and meet optimum physiological reading parameters, the apparatus utilizes a control system that varies the output to the display device depending on the user's activity. If the heart-rate or other physiological reading indicator is outside of selected goal parameters, the display becomes less useable. As the user adjusts the level of exercise output and returns to within the acceptable parameters, the display is restored to optimum usability.
Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.
Reference is now made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements.
A vertical support and handrail 30 is provided to allow the user to comfortably and safely mount exercise apparatus 5 and to provide a gripping portion during use. Vertical support and handrail 30 has only one full support side and a smaller rail section on an opposite side. This enables easy access to exercise apparatus 5. Although exercise apparatus 5 is shown having only one full size handrail 30, same size handrails would be acceptable and rails could extend the full length of frame 12 or any length less than full.
A tread 10 is provided allowing the user to walk, jog or run depending on personal selection settings. Tread 10 rolls on rollers (not shown) rotatably connected to frame 12 as is known in the art. Tread 10 is controlled by circuitry allowing the user to select the level of activity desired with the system programming making the required adjustments in the performance of tread 10 as is known in the art. Of course, other apparatus would be suitable for use with the present invention such as a stair climber (not shown), stationary bicycle (not shown), or any other suitable exercise apparatus.
A housing 35 encloses the electronics (not shown) necessary to operate exercise apparatus 5 as is known in the art. Additionally, housing 35 covers an internet enabled device (not shown) such as a computer with an internet connection. A display device 15 displays both exercise specific information and internet content depending on user input. Display 15 is a touch sensitive LCD panel as is known in the art and allows the user to input selected information such as age, weight, sex, etc. enabling a control program to tailor specific exercise routines and goals as is known in the art. Of course, other displays could be used such as plasma screen or CRT device to display the required information. Input could be provided in the form of a keyboard instead of touch screen.
At least one USB port 25 is provided to allow a user a convenient way to store personal information without the need to enter the information prior to each use. A flash card (not shown) is inserted into USB port 25 and is read by the computer (not shown) as is known in the art. Each user simply inserts a personal memory device into USB port 25 for customized exercise activities without the need for constant re-entry of information. Other embodiments are suitable such as an internal hard drive accessible by computer (not shown) to allow customization without re-entry of information. Multiple users could be accommodated depending on the size of the memory unit (not shown) installed. Additionally, USB port 25 could be located at any other convenient location such as on housing 35 or handrail 30. To allow the user to input information while exercising, at least one thumb operated input device 20 is disposed on handrail 30. Other input configurations are acceptable such as WiFi, Bluetooth, infrared, etc as is known in the art.
Now referring to
With reference to
It is well known in the art to calculate ideal heart rate ranges for individuals and the ideal rate depends on age, general health condition, etc. One known calculation has a user subtracting their age from 220 and calculating between 65% to 75% as a target heart rate. Other factors such as weight are also important and can be used to tailor use of the present invention. One indicator used when exercising is known as “burn rate.” This is a measurement of the calories used per unit of time such as cal/hr. There is generally a direct relationship between burn rate and weight. For example, a 220 lb individual will have a burn rate twice that of a 110 lb person. Age and desirable burn rate is typically linear with a 20 year old having nearly twice the maximum burn rate as allowed for a 70 year old. The present invention allows a user to select between at least a light and moderate exercise routine. Additionally, a strenuous setting could be added as an option for more advanced users.
Now with reference to
Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims
1. An internet enabled exercise system and apparatus comprising:
- a frame;
- an exercise element moveably attached to said frame;
- a display adapted to display information to a user;
- at least one sensor to detect at least one physiological reading of said user;
- a control system to analyze and operate on said at least one physiological reading;
- said control system also being adapted to vary the usability of said display based on said at least one physiological reading;
- at least one handrail disposed on said frame adapted to support said user; and
- at least one input device disposed on said at least one handrail adapted to input information to said control system.
2. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said exercise element is a treadmill track.
3. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said exercise element is a stair stepper.
4. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said exercise element is stationary bicycle.
5. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the usability of said display is varied by defocusing said display when said at least one physiological reading is outside a predetermined range.
6. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the usability of said display is varied by fading the output of said display when said at least one physiological reading is outside a predetermined range.
7. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the usability of said display is varied by flashing said display when said at least one physiological reading is outside a predetermined range.
8. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the usability of said display is varied by displaying a message on top of said information displayed when said at least one physiological reading is outside a predetermined range.
9. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one physiological reading includes a heart-rate reading.
10. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one input device is a thumb activated input device.
11. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor is a motion sensor.
12. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising a console disposed on a visible portion of said at least one handrail whereby said at least one physiological reading is displayed to said user.
13. An internet enabled exercise system and apparatus comprising:
- an exercise apparatus capable of being connected to an electronic network;
- means for sensing at least one physiological reading from a user and for preparing the sensed reading for use as a control signal;
- means for displaying networked information to said user; and
- means for adjusting the usability of said network information based on said control signal.
14. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said means for sensing at least one physiological reading is a rotary motion sensing device.
15. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said means for sensing at least one physiological reading is a heart-rate sensing device.
16. The internet enabled exercise system and apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said at least one physiological reading includes a heart-rate reading.
17. An exercise system and apparatus comprising:
- at least one CPU with associated hardware and software for controlling said exercise system and apparatus;
- an internet access device operatively connected to said CPU;
- at least one sensing device for converting at least one physiological reading into useable input for said CPU; and
- a display for displaying internet information wherein said display usability is varied based on the output from said at least one sensing device.
18. The exercise system and apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said internet access device is a modem.
19. The exercise system and apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising a console whereby at least one physiological reading is displayed to a user.
20. The exercise system and apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said at least one physiological reading includes a heart-rate reading.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 4, 2006
Publication Date: Feb 7, 2008
Inventor: Ayman Hakki (Washington, DC)
Application Number: 11/462,522
International Classification: A63B 71/00 (20060101); A63B 22/02 (20060101);