U.S. patent application number 11/443497 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-19 for control system for exercise equipment.
Invention is credited to Michael Nally, Mark Schultz.
Application Number | 20070167293 11/443497 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38263929 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070167293 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nally; Michael ; et
al. |
July 19, 2007 |
Control system for exercise equipment
Abstract
A control system for an exercise apparatus comprising an
increment control array including at least three increment control
contact elements, wherein each of the contact elements has a
different pre-assigned numerical control increment value and the
contact elements can be selectively activated both in an individual
and in a combined cumulative manner for controlling one of more
operating parameters of the exercise apparatus.
Inventors: |
Nally; Michael; (Ridgewood,
NJ) ; Schultz; Mark; (Hackettstown, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FELLERS SNIDER BLANKENSHIP;BAILEY & TIPPENS
THE KENNEDY BUILDING
321 SOUTH BOSTON SUITE 800
TULSA
OK
74103-3318
US
|
Family ID: |
38263929 |
Appl. No.: |
11/443497 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 ;
482/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/00 20130101;
A63B 24/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/054 ;
482/001 |
International
Class: |
A63B 15/02 20060101
A63B015/02; A63B 22/02 20060101 A63B022/02 |
Claims
1. A control system for an exercise apparatus, said control system
comprising an increment control array including at least three
increment control contact elements, wherein each of said increment
control contact elements has a different pre-assigned numerical
control increment value and said increment control contact elements
can be activated by a user both in an individual manner and in a
combined cumulative manner for incrementally setting, incrementally
changing, or both incrementally setting and incrementally changing
one or more operating parameters of said exercise apparatus in
accordance with said pre-assigned numerical control increment
values.
2. The control system of claim 1 wherein: a first of said increment
control contact elements has a pre-assigned numerical control
increment value of -1; a second of said increment control contact
elements has a pre-assigned numerical control increment value of
+2; and a third of said increment control contact elements has a
pre-assigned numerical control increment value of +3.
3. The control system of claim 2 wherein said one or more operating
parameters of said exercise apparatus include an operating speed of
said exercise apparatus, an operating incline of said exercise
apparatus, a workout time, a workout distance, a workout calorie
count, or a combination thereof.
4. The control system of claim 3 wherein said increment control
array further includes: a fourth increment control contact element
having a pre-assigned numerical control increment value of -2 and a
fifth increment control contact element having a pre-assigned
numerical control increment value of +1.
5. The control system of claim 1 wherein said increment control
array can be operated for incrementally setting and incrementally
changing an operating speed of said exercise apparatus such that,
when being used for incrementally setting and incrementally
changing said operating speed, said pre-assigned numerical control
increment values are numerical units of incremental velocity.
6. The control system of claim 5 further comprising a speed
increase contact element and a speed decrease contact element which
are not included in said increment control array and which can also
be used for controlling said operating speed of said exercise
apparatus.
7. The control system of claim 6 wherein said speed increase
contact element and said speed decrease contact element operate to
control said operating speed in increments which are smaller, in
terms of absolute value, than said pre-assigned numerical control
increment values of said increment control contact elements.
8. The control system of claim 5 further comprising a speed access
contact element for activation before, after, or both before and
after activating a selected one or a selected combination of said
increment control contact elements to cause said increment control
array to operate to control said operating speed of said exercise
apparatus.
9. The control system of claim 1 wherein said increment control
array can be operated for incrementally setting and incrementally
changing an operating incline of said exercise apparatus such that,
when being used for incrementally setting and incrementally
changing said operating incline, said pre-assigned numerical
control increment values are numerical units of incremental incline
percentage or angle.
10. The control system of claim 9 further comprising an incline
increase contact element and an incline decrease contact element
which are not included in said increment control array and which
can also be used for controlling said operating incline of said
exercise apparatus.
11. The control system of claim 10 wherein said incline increase
contact element and said incline decrease contact element operate
to control said operating incline in increments which are smaller,
in terms of absolute value, than said pre-assigned numerical
control increment values of said increment control contact
elements.
12. The control system of claim 9 further comprising an incline
access contact element for activation by said user before, after,
or both before and after activating a selected one or a selected
combination of said increment control contact elements to cause
said increment control array to control said operating incline of
said exercise apparatus.
13. A control system for a treadmill, said control system
comprising an increment control array including at least three
increment control contact elements, each of said increment control
contact elements having a different pre-assigned numerical control
increment value and said increment control contact elements being
selectively activatable by a user both in an individual manner and
in a combined cumulative manner for incrementally setting and
incrementally changing an operating speed of said treadmill and for
incrementally setting and incrementally changing an operating
incline of said treadmill.
14. The control system of claim 13 wherein: when said increment
control array is used for incrementally setting and incrementally
changing said operating speed, said pre-assigned numerical control
increment values are numerical units of incremental velocity and
when said increment control array is used for incrementally setting
and incrementally changing said operating incline, said
pre-assigned numerical control increment values are numerical units
of incremental incline percentage or angle.
15. The control system of claim 14 wherein said numerical units of
incremental velocity are incremental miles per hour and said
numerical units of incremental incline percentage or angle are
incremental percent incline.
16. The control system of claim 15 wherein: a first of said
increment control contact elements has a pre-assigned numerical
control increment value of -1; a second of said increment control
contact elements has a pre-assigned numerical control increment
value of +2; and a third of said increment control contact elements
has a pre-assigned numerical control increment value of +3.
17. The control system of claim 16 wherein said increment control
array further includes: a fourth increment control contact element
having a pre-assigned numerical control increment value of -2 and a
fifth increment control contact element having a pre-assigned
numerical control increment value of +1.
18. The control system of claim 14 further comprising: a speed
increase contact element and a speed decrease contact element which
are not included in said incremental control array and which can
also be used for controlling said operating speed and an incline
increase contact element and an incline decrease contact element
which are not included in said increment control array and which
can also be used for controlling said operating incline.
19. The control system of claim 18 wherein: said speed increase
contact element and said speed decrease contact element operate to
control said operating speed in increments which are smaller, in
terms of absolute value, than said numerical units of incremental
velocity represented by said pre-assigned numerical control values
of said increment control contact elements and said incline
increase contact element and said incline decrease contact element
operate to control said operating incline in increments which are
smaller, in terms of absolute value, than said numerical units of
incremental incline percentage or angle represented by said
pre-assigned numerical control values of said increment control
contact elements.
20. The control system of claim 14 further comprising: a speed
access contact element for activation before, after, or both before
and after activating a selected one or a selected combination of
said increment control contact elements to cause said increment
control array to operate to control said operating speed and an
incline access contact element for activation before, after, or
both before and after activating a selected one or a selected
combination of said increment control contact elements to cause
said increment control array to operate to control said operating
incline, wherein said incline access contact element is different
from said speed access contact element.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to operating control systems
for treadmills and other exercise equipment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A need presently exists for a system for controlling,
programming, and operating treadmills, stationary bicycles,
elliptical machines, stair climbers, and other exercise equipment
which will allow the user to more quickly input, change, and
establish any desired value of exercise speed, degree of incline,
amount of resistance or tension, exercise time, targeted distance,
targeted calorie count, and/or any other operating and/or program
parameter. Most treadmill systems currently available on the market
have user control panels which include up and down speed buttons,
keys, or other contact elements which only allow the user to set or
change the speed in small increments of about 0.1 miles per hour
(MPH). Consequently, in order to establish a speed of 5 MPH, the
user must press the up speed button 50 times or must continue to
hold the up speed button for a period of time amounting to 50
presses. Similarly, many treadmills also include a pair of up and
down incline buttons, keys, or other contact elements which only
allow the user to set or change the incline of the treadmill belt
in small increments of about 0.5%.
[0003] In order to make the operation and programming of the system
a bit more convenient, some treadmills include alternative or added
buttons, keys, or other contact elements, which correspond to
specific preset speed and/or incline values. Unfortunately,
however, these precise preset values of speed and/or incline often
will not correspond to the specific actual operating parameters or
conditions desired by the user. Consequently, in those systems
which only include the specific preset options, the user will be
forced to operate the system at conditions which may be
significantly below or above the values actually desired.
[0004] Moreover, even in the prior art systems which include dual
sets of controls, the user is still required to use the small
increment, up and down controls extensively for zeroing in on
specific desired parameters and/or for making a desired increment
change from a base or current operating condition. Thus, by way of
example, if the specific preset speed options for a treadmill of
this type are 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 MPH (or e.g., medium, low, and
high), there is no convenient way for the user to establish an
initial speed of say 1.5 MPH and then quickly adjust the speed in
intervals while exercising to speeds of 2.5 MPH, 3.5 MPH, and then
4.5 MPH.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention satisfies the needs and addresses the
problems discussed above. In one aspect, there is provided a
control system for an exercise apparatus. The control system
comprises an increment control array including at least three
increment control contact elements. Each of the increment control
contact elements has a different pre-assigned numerical control
increment value. The increment control contact elements can be
selectively activated by a user both in an individual manner and in
a combined cumulative manner for incrementally setting,
incrementally changing, or both incrementally setting and
incrementally changing one or more operating parameters of the
exercise apparatus in accordance with the pre-assigned numerical
control increment values.
[0006] In another aspect, the increment control array can be
operated, for example, for incrementally setting and incrementally
changing an operating speed of the exercise apparatus such that,
when being used for incrementally setting and incrementally
changing the operating speed, the pre-assigned numerical control
increment values are numerical units of incremental velocity. In
another aspect, the incremental control array can be operated, for
example, for incrementally setting and incrementally changing an
operating incline of the exercise apparatus such that, when being
used for incrementally setting and incrementally changing the
operating incline, the pre-assigned numerical control increment
values are numerical units of incremental incline percentage or
angle.
[0007] In another aspect, the control system can further comprise,
for example, a speed increase contact element and a speed decrease
contact element which are not included in the increment control
array and which can also be used for controlling the operating
speed of the exercise apparatus. The speed increase contact element
and the speed decrease contact element will preferably operate to
control the operating speed of the exercise apparatus in increments
which are smaller, in terms of absolute value, than the
pre-assigned numerical control increment values of the increment
control contact elements.
[0008] In another aspect, the control system can further comprise,
for example, an incline increase contact element and an incline
decrease contact element which are not included in the increment
control array and which can also be used for controlling the
operating incline of the exercise apparatus. The incline increase
contact element and the incline decrease contact element will
preferably operate to control the operating incline of the exercise
apparatus in increments which are smaller, in terms of absolute
value, than the pre-assigned numerical control increment values of
the increment control contact elements.
[0009] In another aspect, the control system can further comprise a
speed access contact element for activation before, after, or both
before and after activating a selected one or a selected
combination of the increment control contact elements to cause the
increment control array to operate to control the operating speed
of the exercise apparatus. In another aspect, the control system
can further comprise an incline access contact element for
activation by the user before, after, or both before and after
activating a selected one or a selected combination of the
increment control contact elements to cause the increment control
array to control the operating incline of the exercise
apparatus.
[0010] Further aspects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
upon examining the accompanying drawings and upon reading the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of a treadmill 2 having
the inventive control system incorporated therein.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment 10 of the
inventive control system.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a user interface control and display
panel 12 for the embodiment 10 of the inventive operating and
control system used in the treadmill 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] An embodiment 10 of the inventive operating and control
system for a treadmill 2 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. As is
typical, the treadmill 2 comprises: a frame structure 4; a
treadmill belt 5 mounted in the frame 4 for continuous rotational
movement; a belt motor 6 for driving the belt; and an incline motor
8 for adjusting the angle of inclination of the treadmill belt 5.
It will be understood, however, that the inventive control system
10 can be readily adapted for use in any other type of treadmill
apparatus, as well as in generally any other type of exercise
device or system including, but not limited to, elliptical
machines, stationary bicycles, stair climbers, etc. for
controlling, e.g., incline, tension, resistance, or any other
desired parameters.
[0015] The inventive operating and control system 10 employed in
the treadmill 2 comprises: a control and display panel 12; a belt
or belt motor speed sensor 14; a belt incline sensor 16; a heart
rate sensor 18; and a magnetic safety stop key 20 which is
receivable in a key slot 22 and includes a cord and clip 24 for
attachment to the user's clothing. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the
control and display panel 12, the speed sensor 14, the incline
sensor 16, the heart rate sensor 18, and the key slot 22 are all
electrically linked to a microprocessor or other computing system
26.
[0016] The control and display panel 12 of the inventive system 10
includes: a mode contact element 30; a stop contact element 32; a
first speed control 34 including an up increment contact element 36
and a down increment contact element 38; a first incline control 40
including an up increment button or other contact element 42 and a
down increment contact element 44; a time display window 46; a
speed display window 48; an incline and pulse display window 50; a
distance and calorie display window 52; and a matrix display window
54. In addition, the control and display panel 12 preferably
includes: a quick response speed (QRS) access contact element 56; a
quick response incline (QRI) access contact element 58; and an
array 60 of specific increment control contact elements. As used
herein, the term "contact elements" includes buttons, switches,
pressure pads, touch screen elements, and all other types of user
interface contact elements known in the art.
[0017] The increment control array 60 of the inventive control
system 10 preferably includes at least three specific increment
buttons or other contact elements. Each of these contact elements
has a pre-assigned, unique numerical increment control value which
is different from the values of all of the other buttons of the
increment array 60. In the embodiment 10 of the inventive control
system shown in FIG. 3, the increment control array 60 includes
five increment control buttons or other contact elements having
pre-assigned numerical increment values of -2, -1, +1, +2, and +3.
However, by way of example and not by way of limitation, the
increment control array 60 might include seven contact elements
having respective increment values of -3, -2, -1, +2, +3, +4 and
+5. As yet another example, the increment control array 60 might
include three contact elements having respective values of -1, +2,
and +3.
[0018] The increment control array 60 can be used to quickly make
large incremental entries and selections for inputting,
establishing, and/or changing the belt speed, the degree or angle
of incline, a set exercise time, a target speed, a target pulse
rate, a workout distance, a workout calorie count, and/or any other
desired operating or control parameter.
[0019] In the inventive control system 10, the five individual
contact elements of the increment control array 60 can be used for
making respective automatic incremental entries or changes in speed
wherein the pre-assigned numerical control increment values of the
five contact elements become numerical units of incremental
velocity such as, e.g., -2 MPH, -1 MPH, +1 MPH, +2 MPH, and +3 MPH.
Similarly, when used for making incremental entries and changes in
incline, the numerical control increment values of the five
increment control contact elements become numerical units of
incremental incline percentage or angle such as, e.g., -2%, -1%,
+1%, +2%, and +3%. Likewise, for time increment entries, the
pre-assigned numerical control increment values of the five contact
elements will correspond to numerical increments of time, e.g., -2
minutes, -1 minute, +1 minute, +2 minutes, and +3 minutes.
[0020] Moreover, the contact elements of the increment control
array 60 can also be used cumulatively in any combination of
entries so that, for example, if the user desires to enter a
starting speed of 5 MPH or make a 5 MPH change in an existing
speed, the user can push the +2 button and then push the +3 button,
or vice versa. For cumulative entries of this type, the inventive
control system will preferably require that each successive entry
be made within a set allowed time (e.g., 3 seconds) of the previous
entry.
[0021] In the inventive control system 10, the speed of the
apparatus can be input or changed at any time using either the
increment control array 60, the up and down speed buttons 36 and
38, or both. The up and down speed buttons 36 and 38 will
preferably be set to provide smaller incremental increases and
decreases in speed, in terms of absolute value, than the contact
elements of the increment control array 60. The up and down speed
buttons 36 and 38 preferably provide incremental up and down
changes in the range of from about 0.05 MPH to about 0.25 MPH (most
preferably 0.1 MPH).
[0022] Similarly, the incline of the treadmill belt 5 can be input
or changed at any time using either the increment control array 60,
the up and down incline increment buttons 42 and 44, or a
combination thereof. The up and down incline buttons 42 and 44 will
preferably be set to provide smaller increases and decreases in the
incline angle of the belt in the range of from about 0.25% to 0.5%
(most preferably 0.5%).
[0023] To use the increment control array 60 for entering or
changing the belt speed, the user will preferably press the quick
response speed access contact element 56 either before, after, or
both before and after (most preferably before) pressing the desired
contact elements or combination of contact elements in the
increment control array 60. Similarly, when using the increment
control array 60 for entering or changing the belt incline, the
user will preferably press the quick response incline access
contact element 58 either before, after, or both before and after
(most preferably before) pressing the desired contact element or
combination of contact elements in the increment control array
60.
[0024] In the inventive control system 10, the user can also use
the mode button 30 to access the increment control array 60 for
entering or changing a set exercise time, a targeted distance, a
targeted calorie count, and/or a targeted heart rate. In addition,
when in the program mode the user can also use the mode button 30
as an alternative means for accessing the increment control array
60 for entering or changing the speed or incline. Moreover, if
desired, the control and display panel 12 of the inventive control
system 10 can also optionally include additional contact elements
(not shown), similar to the quick response access speed (QRS)
element 56 and the quick response incline (QRI) element 58, for
providing direct access to the increment control array 60 for
entering or changing the targeted time, calorie count, distance,
heart rate, and/or other desired parameter(s).
[0025] To begin operation of the inventive control system 10 and
treadmill 2, the user will place the safety key 20 in the key slot
22 and clip the safety key cord 24 to his or her clothing. The
removal of the magnetic safety stop key 20 from the key slot 22 at
any time during operation will cause the treadmill 2 to stop
immediately.
[0026] In one aspect, the inventive control system 10 can be used
for manual operation of the treadmill 2 by simply inputting the
desired speed and incline values for the belt 5. The speed of the
belt 5 can be entered, or changed at any time, by (a) using the up
and down speed contact elements 36 and 38, (b) using the increment
control array 60 by pressing the quick response speed element 56
and then pressing any desired increment control contact element or
cumulative combination of increment elements in the array 60 or (c)
using both the increment control array 60 and the up and down
increment buttons 36 and 38. Similarly, the desired inclination of
the belt 5 can be entered, or changed at any time, by either (a)
using the up and down incline contact elements 42 and 44, (b) using
the increment control array 60 by first pressing the quick response
incline access element 58 and then pressing any desired increment
control contact element or cumulative combination of increment
elements in the array 60 or (c) using both the increment control
array 60 and the up and down increment buttons 42 and 44.
[0027] The inventive control system 10 will also preferably include
a plurality of different preprogrammed workouts which can
alternatively be selected and implemented by the user. Each of the
programs will preferably be divided into a plurality of (preferably
10) equal time segments. The user controls each program by
inputting the total time of the workout, the maximum belt speed,
and the maximum belt incline. For any given program selected, the
characteristics of the program will change based upon the user's
choice of maximum speed and/or maximum incline. If the user chooses
a maximum speed of 4 MPH and a maximum incline of 5%, the selective
program will have an entirely different feel than if the user
chooses a maximum speed of 6.5 MPH and a maximum incline of
8.0%.
[0028] Each of the 10 segments of the selected workout program will
be based upon a different, predetermined percentage of the selected
maximum speed and incline. For example, if a given segment is
programmed to operate at 80% of the maximum speed and 50% of the
maximum incline, then, assuming that a maximum speed of 4 MPH was
entered, the treadmill will run at approximately 3.2 MPH during the
segment. Similarly, assuming that the selected maximum incline
value was 5%, the belt will automatically adjust to an incline
value of 2.5% during the segment.
[0029] Moreover, the user can also increase or decrease the speed
or incline of the belt 5 during any segment of the preprogrammed
workout using either (a) the up and down speed increment buttons 36
and 38 or the up and down incline buttons 42 or 44, (b) the quick
response speed element 56 or quick response incline element 58 in
combination with the increment element array 60, or (c) a
combination thereof.
[0030] To access, view, and select from the program options, the
user will press and hold the mode button 30 for a predetermined
period of time (preferably about 3 seconds) until a beep tone is
generated. At the same time, the number of the first program,
together with a program difficulty chart, will be displayed in the
matrix display window 54. The difficulty chart will preferably
comprise a series of vertical columns, each representing one of the
10 time segments of the program with taller columns indicating a
greater degree of difficulty than shorter columns. The relative
difficulty levels are determined based upon the combined values of
speed and incline pertaining to each segment. The user can scroll
through the available workout programs using the up and down speed
buttons 36 and 38 and can accept a program by pressing the stop
button 32.
[0031] Upon accepting a preprogrammed workout, the time display
window 46 will begin to flash as an indication that the user must
now input the desired maximum total time for the workout. The
default value for the maximum workout time will preferably be a
predetermined value such as, e.g., 10 minutes. The user can change
this value either by (a) the direct activation of the speed up and
down increment buttons 36, 38, (b) the direct activation of any
contact element or cumulative combination of contact elements in
the increment control array 60, or (c) a combination thereof. Once
a desired maximum time has been entered, the user will press the
stop button 32 to accept the entered value.
[0032] Next, the speed display window 48 will begin to flash as an
indication that the user must now enter the desired maximum allowed
speed for the workout. The desired maximum speed can be entered by
either (a) directly activating the up and down speed increment
buttons 36 and 38, (b) directly activating any contact element or
cumulative combination of contact elements in the increment control
array 60, or (c) a combination thereof. Once the desired maximum
speed has been entered, the user will press the stop button 32 to
accept the selected value.
[0033] Following the input and acceptance of the desired maximum
speed, the incline display window 50 will begin to flash as an
indication that the user must now enter the desired maximum incline
for the workout. To enter the desired maximum incline value, the
user can either (a) directly activate the up and down incline
increment buttons 42 and 44, (b) directly activate any contact
element or cumulative combination of contact elements in the
increment control array 60, or (c) a combination thereof. After
inputting the desired maximum incline value, the user will accept
the value by pressing the stop button 32.
[0034] Finally, after accepting the desired maximum incline value,
the user can begin the program by pressing the mode button 30. The
actual speed and incline values for the first segment of the
program will then automatically flash in the speed display and
incline display windows 48 and 50 and the system will provide an
indication (e.g., five beep tones), indicating that the belt 5 will
now begin to move.
[0035] During the running of the program, the time display window
46 will count down the total time remaining for the workout
program. The speed display window 48 will show the current speed of
the treadmill and the incline window 50 will show the current
incline of the belt 5. The total distance traveled and calories
burned, as well as the user's pulse, can be selected and viewed as
desired in the display windows 50 and 52 by operating the mode
button 30.
[0036] As indicated above, the user can adjust the actual speed
and/or incline of the belt 5 while the belt 5 is running during any
segment of the program by either (a) directly operating the speed
up and down increment buttons 36 and 38 or the incline up and down
increment buttons 40 and 42, (b) activating either the quick
response speed button 56 or the quick response incline button 58
and then activating any button or combination of buttons in the
increment control array 60, or (c) a combination thereof. Except as
explained hereinbelow, such speed or incline changes made during
any segment of the programmed workout will only affect the speed
and incline of the belt for the remainder of that segment. Such
changes, except as explained hereinbelow, will not affect the speed
or incline of the belt during any upcoming segments of the
workout.
[0037] Toward the end of each program segment, the system will
preferably advise the user that the next segment is about to begin
and that the operating parameters are about to change in accordance
with the requirements of the program. Preferably, with about 10
seconds remaining in the current segment, the speed display window
48 will begin to flash the new speed of the upcoming segment. In
addition, the incline display window 50 will preferably begin to
flash the new incline setting for the upcoming segment and the
difficulty graph shown in the matrix display window 54 will
preferably begin to flash the vertical difficulty column
corresponding to the new segment. At 5 seconds remaining in the
segment, the system will preferably provide an indication or
warning (e.g., 5 beep tones) alerting the user of the upcoming
change. Any speed or incline adjustments made during the final 10
seconds of the segment will not affect the current segment
operation but will be applied only to the upcoming segment.
[0038] At the end of the program, the system will provide an
indication (e.g., 5 beep tones) announcing that the final segment
is about to end and that the belt 5 will stop. After stopping, the
control system 10 will be in a pause mode such that by operation of
the mode button 30, the user can look at the total distance
traveled and the total calorie count for the workout. If desired,
the user can add to these values by beginning manual operation of
the system as described above. Alternatively, the user can press or
hold the stop button 32 to clear all values to zero. Also, at any
time during the course of the workout program, the user can
automatically place the control system 10 in the pause mode by
pressing the stop button 32 once.
[0039] In another aspect, the inventive control system 10 will
allow the user to operate the treadmill 2 at any desired speed and
incline for a selected time entered by the user. To begin operation
in a programmed time mode, the user will insert the safety stop key
20 in the key slot 22 and then depress the mode button 30 once so
that the time display window 46 begins to flash. The user can then
enter the desired total time for his or her workout by either (a)
directly activating the up and down speed increment buttons 36 and
38, (b) directly activating any button or cumulative combination of
buttons in the increment control array 60, or (c) a combination
thereof. The up and down speed increment buttons 36 and 38 will
preferably be effective for increasing or decreasing the set time
in one minute intervals. The time (minutes) increments provided by
the increment control array 60, on the other hand, will correspond
to the number values of the array buttons. Once the desire workout
time has been entered, the user will press the mode button 30 twice
to accept the entered time value. The user can then enter,
establish, or change the speed and incline of the belt 5 in the
same manner as in the manual operating procedure described above.
However, in contrast to the manual procedure, once the belt 5
begins to move, a countdown of the preprogrammed time will begin
and the belt 5 will automatically stop when the programmed time
expires.
[0040] Similarly, in another aspect, the user can cause the system
to operate for a programmed distance by inserting the safety stop
key 20, pressing the mode button 30 twice, and then entering and
accepting a desired programmed distance value. The programmed
distance can be entered by either (a) directly activating the up
and down speed increment buttons 36 and 38, (b) directly activating
any button or cumulative combination of buttons in the increment
control array 60, or (c) a combination thereof. When used in this
mode for setting a programmed distance, the up and down speed
increment buttons 36 and 38 will preferably operate to increase or
decrease the set distance in increments of .+-.0.5 miles or less.
The mileage increments provided by the increment control array 60,
on the other hand, will correspond to the number values of the
array buttons. Once the desired programmed distance has been
entered, the user will confirm and accept the entered distance by
pressing the mode button 30 once. The user can then enter,
establish, or change the speed and incline of the belt 5 in the
same manner as the manual procedure described above and the belt 5
will automatically stop when the programmed distance is
reached.
[0041] As will be apparent, the inventive control system 10 can
also be adapted to provide for a combined programmed time and
distance mode, a programmed calorie mode, a set heart rate mode, or
in any other mode or program desired wherein the increment control
array 60 can be used to set the programmed parameters and to input,
establish, and change the operating parameters of the treadmill 2
in any mode.
[0042] Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the
objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well
as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments
have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous
changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed
within the spirit of this invention as defined by the appended
claims.
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