System integrating display interface and control interface of running machine

Abstract

A system that integrates a graphic display and a control interface of a running machine includes a graphic display, a top control unit for receiving biological information and control information having at least running speed information so as to show the information on the graphic display according to one of mode setting choices on the graphic display and a control device operably connected to the graphic display and the top control unit so as to transmit a control signal for control of the running machine. Therefore, a user is able to use the control information on the graphic display to send a command to the control device so as to accomplish interaction requirements.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an integrating system, and more particularly to an integrating system for integrating a display interface and a control interface of a running machine.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional running machine is shown. The conventional running machine is composed of a control console 12, a top control unit 10, a bottom control unit 14, a running board 20, a running belt 22 and a transmission subsystem which includes an elevation motor 18 and a running belt motor 16.

[0005] The elevation motor 18 is able to change the inclination of the running board 20 via an elevation post (not shown) and the running belt motor 16 is able to control the rotation of the running belt 22. Therefore, when a runner presses buttons on the control console 12 to control the speed of the running belt 22, a command is transmitted from the top control unit 10 to the bottom control unit 14, which in turn changes the rotation speed of the running belt 22 and the inclination of the running board 20.

[0006] As the consumer's demands vary, running machine manufacturers provide different running machines to meet the demands. For example, a runner wants to exercise his/her endurance and strength after warning up, the running machine will automatically adjust inclination of the running board 20 for simulating an uphill scenario after detecting that the runner has run for a mile. Later, for the purpose of providing a chance to take a rest, the running machine will automatically adjust the inclination of the running board 20 and the rotation speed of the running belt 22. However, in order to accomplish various demands, the running machine is equipped with large quantity of buttons and complicated setting procedures, which affects customers' buying desire. Further, if a heart beat monitoring device 24a is mounted on both handles 24, the control console 12 is difficult to read, let alone to properly set the machine in the desired mode.

[0007] In addition, to prevent accidents of all kinds, a running machine is equipped with an emergency stop mechanism. The mechanism has two terminals respectively connected to a magnetic seat 26a formed on the top control unit 10 via a magnetic connector 26b formed on a distal end of a rope 26c and the runner via a clip 26d formed on a proximal end of the rope 26c. Under normal conditions, the magnetic connector 26b is connected to the magnetic seat 26a and the clip 26d is connected to the runner. If the runner is tripped or falls to the running belt 22, the magnetic connector 26b is pulled away from the magnetic seat 26a, which results in that the electrical connection in the top control unit 10 is cut off and thus the machine is terminated. However, in this emergency stop mechanism, the complete shutoff mechanism depends solely on the termination of the bottom control unit 14 to cut off the operation of the transmission subsystem, which delays the respond time to emergency.

[0008] To overcome the aforementioned disadvantages, the present invention tends to provide an improved integrating system for integration between a display interface and a controlling interface to obviate the aforementioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved system for integrating a display interface and a control interface of a running machine.

[0010] From one aspect of the present invention, the integrating system of the present invention is able to graphically present control information on the graphic display so that the user is able to use the control information to transmit controlling demands to accomplish interaction with the running machine.

[0011] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a conventional running machine;

[0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the integration system for integrating the display interface and the control interface; and

[0014] FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views showing the graphic display of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] With reference to FIG. 2, the running machine in accordance with the present invention includes a graphic display 28, a top control unit 30 and a remote control 32. Because the bottom control unit 14, transmission subsystem 34 (element 16 and 18), running board 20, running belt 22 and the heat beat monitor 24a are the same as those disclosed in the prior art, detailed description thereof is omitted for clarity. It is noted that the connection of the emergency stop mechanism (26a-26d) is not the same as that disclosed in the prior art. Also the control device may be mounted on the touch panel (not shown) of the graphic interface 28. The graphic interface 28 may be a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, CRT monitor, or a projector. The heat beat monitor 24a may be applied to measure blood pressure, pulse, muscle signal and may be replaced by any suitable devices that can detect the above information.

[0016] With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, after the top control unit 30 receives information (possibly transmitted by the remote control 32) such as biological information (possibly transmitted by the heat beat monitor 24a), the received information will be presented on the graphic display 28 so that the runner is able to use the specific buttons on the remote control 32 to interact with the integration system of the present invention and every information will be shown on the graphic display 28. Therefore, when compared with the conventional running machine, the user will no longer deal with complicated buttons to control complex setting modes and only use the remote control 32 to proceed with choices and setting. As a consequence, the user is able to use the remote control 32 to control the bottom control unit 14 so as to simultaneously or respectively control the motor 16 and the elevation motor 18 of the transmission subsystem 34.

[0017] With reference to FIG. 3B, it is noted that the graphic display 28 is able to changed to adapt to different customer requirements. For example, the top control unit 30 is able to show information such as control information or biological information or any other calculated information on the graphic display 28. The mode setting information preferably may be stored in a memory card 38 readable for a card reader 36 which is operably connected to the top control unit 30.

[0018] With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, it is noted that there are three different mode setting choices 28a, 28b and 28c on the graphic display 28. If the mode is set according to the information in mode setting choice 28b, the top control unit 30 will automatically display running speed, running slope and heart beat on the graphic display 28. Furthermore, prior running history information will also be presented on the graphic display 28 in curve pattern for comparison.

[0019] When running speed is to be adjusted, the runner is able to move the option via the buttons on the remote control 32 to running speed. Then the runner is able to use the control button on the remote control 32 to adjust the numeral on the graphic display 28, which not only adjusts the numeral i.e. 15 as shown on the graphic display 28, but also adjust the rotation speed of the running belt (as shown in FIG. 2) via signals transmitted by the top control unit 30. When the mode setting choice is moved to 28c, because there is no information the same as that stored in mode setting choice 28b, the graphic display 28 will be showing different information to what is shown on the graphic display 28 when the mode is set according to mode setting choice 28b. For example, there will no more running speed, running slope, heart beat and prior running history on the graphic display 28.

[0020] When the integration system of the present invention further has a video transformer (not shown), the top control unit 30 may be provided with multiple video/audio interfaces to receive video information and then display on the graphic display 28. Therefore, the user is able to use the video/audio transformer to watch/listen to pictures and music stored in DVD, VCD, CD, or MP3 from the graphic display 28 or speakers (not shown). Furthermore, a switch may be provided on the top control unit 30 so that the user is able to switch from control screen showing different biological or control information to selected screen showing specific picture. Also, to facilitate the control of screen change, the switch may be mounted on the handle 24 as shown in FIG. 2. In addition, to prevent accidents of all kinds, a running machine is equipped with an emergency stop mechanism. The mechanism has two terminals respectively connected to a magnetic seat 26a formed on the bottom control unit 14 via a magnetic connector 26b formed on a distal end of a rope 26c and the runner via a clip 26d formed on a proximal end of the rope 26c. Under normal conditions, the magnetic connector 26b is connected to the magnetic seat 26a and the clip 26d is connected to the runner. If the runner is tripped or falls to the running belt 22, the magnetic connector 26b is pulled away from the magnetic seat 26a, which results in that the electrical connection in the bottom control unit 14 is cut off and thus the machine is terminated. Because the transmission subsystem 34 is terminated directly without the influence from the top control unit 30, the runner's safety is ensured.

[0021] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A system for integrating a graphic display and a control interface of a running machine, the integrating system comprising: a graphic display; a top control unit for receiving biological information and control information having at least running speed information so as to show the information on the graphic display according to one of mode setting choices on the graphic display; and a control device operably connected to the graphic display and the top control unit so as to transmit a control signal for control of the running machine, whereby a user is able to use the control information on the graphic display to send a command to the control device so as to accomplish interaction requirements.

2. The integrating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control device may be selected from a group consisting of a remote control and a touch panel.

3. The integrating system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a video/audio transformer having multiple video/audio interfaces for receiving and processing video or audio information so as to send processed video or audio signal to the top control unit and a switch to switch among control information, biological information, or specific video/audio information such that the top control unit is able to display or play the specific video/video information via the graphic display or a speaker.

4. The integrating system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the video/audio information is selected from a group consisting of DVD, VCD, CD, or MP3.

5. The integrating system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an adjusting device adapted to be mounted on handles of the running machine for sending a control signal to the top control unit.

6. The integrating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the graphic display is selected from a group consisting of a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, a CRT screen or a projector.

7. The integrating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the graphic display has multiple mode setting choices stored in a memory card readable for a card reader.

8. The integrating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the graphic display has multiple mode setting choices stored in a memory readable for the top control unit.

9. The integrating system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a bottom control unit controlled by the top control unit to control a transmission subsystem.

10. The integrating system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the transmission subsystem includes a motor for controlling rotation speed of a running belt of the running machine so as to adjust speed o the running belt.

11. The integrating system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the transmission subsystem includes an elevation motor for elevating a running board of the running machine so as to control slope of the running belt.

12. The integrating system as claimed in claim 9 further comprising an emergency stop mechanism which includes two terminals respectively connected to a magnetic seat formed on the bottom control unit via a magnetic connector formed on a distal end of a rope and the runner via a clip formed on a proximal end of the rope such that when the runner is tripped or falls to the running belt, the magnetic connector is pulled away from the magnetic seat, which results in that the electrical connection in the bottom control unit is cut off and thus the machine is terminated.

13. The integrating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biological information includes blood pressure, pulse, muscle signal or any other measured information.