U.S. patent application number 11/833070 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-04 for exercise device with exercise log and journal.
This patent application is currently assigned to ICON, IP. Invention is credited to Tony Smith, David Watterson.
Application Number | 20080300110 11/833070 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40088958 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080300110 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Tony ; et
al. |
December 4, 2008 |
EXERCISE DEVICE WITH EXERCISE LOG AND JOURNAL
Abstract
In a system having an exercise device having an exercise
mechanism, and a control panel operatively associated with the
exercise mechanism and configured to vary one or more exercise
parameters of the exercise mechanism, a method for storing and
display exercise parameters in an exercise journal includes storing
in a user specific exercise journal of the exercise device exercise
data representative of one or more exercise parameters for each
user, the exercise data corresponding to a range of time periods,
displaying the user specific exercise journal within a display
associated with the control panel with one or more selected time
periods for a selected date range being displayed in a first
portion of the display and cumulative exercise data for the
selected user and the selected date range or the one or more time
periods being displayed on a second portion of the display;
Inventors: |
Smith; Tony; (Logan, UT)
; Watterson; David; (Logan, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WORKMAN NYDEGGER
60 EAST SOUTH TEMPLE, 1000 EAGLE GATE TOWER
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84111
US
|
Assignee: |
ICON, IP
Logan
UT
|
Family ID: |
40088958 |
Appl. No.: |
11/833070 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60940626 |
May 29, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/9 ; 482/4;
482/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/50 20130101;
A63B 24/0062 20130101; A63B 2230/04 20130101; A63B 2220/806
20130101; A63B 22/0023 20130101; A63B 24/0006 20130101; A63B
2071/0647 20130101; A63B 24/0075 20130101; A63B 69/06 20130101;
A63B 22/001 20130101; A63B 22/203 20130101; A63B 2071/063 20130101;
A63B 2071/065 20130101; A63B 22/0235 20130101; A63B 2024/0012
20130101; A63B 2022/0676 20130101; A63B 2024/0009 20130101; A63B
2071/0658 20130101; A63B 22/0242 20130101; A63B 2220/62 20130101;
A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 22/02 20130101; A63B 24/0003
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/9 ; 482/4;
482/8 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00 |
Claims
1. In a system having an exercise device having an exercise
mechanism, and a control panel operatively associated with the
exercise mechanism, the control panel being configured to vary one
or more exercise parameters of the exercise mechanism and further
comprising an exercise journal, a method for storing exercise
parameters for a plurality of users from multiple exercise sessions
for each of the plurality of users in the exercise journal and
later displaying the exercise parameters stored in the exercise
journal, the method comprising: storing a user specific exercise
journal in the exercise journal associated with the control panel
for a specified user of the plurality of users; selecting the user
specific exercise journal for the specified user from a plurality
of stored user specific exercise journals; storing in the user
specific exercise journal of the exercise device exercise data
representative of one or more exercise parameters for the specified
user, the exercise data corresponding to a range of time periods
and spanning multiple workout sessions; and displaying the user
specific exercise journal within a display associated with the
control panel with one or more selected time periods for a selected
date range being displayed in a first portion of the display and
with cumulative exercise data for the selected user and the
selected date range or the one or more time periods being displayed
on a second portion of the display.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of receiving
input to cause the display to display current exercise data.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising a step of receiving
input to cause the display to display information associated with a
workout program.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein storing exercise parameters
includes storing exercise data associated with movement of a
continuous belt, the continuous belt being coupled to a tread
base.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein storing exercise data includes
storing at least one an exercise duration period, and an exercise
day.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein storing exercise data includes
storing an exercise parameter for an elliptical exercise
device.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the date range includes one or
more days, weeks, and months.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a display
treatment to a representation of a portion of the time period if
exercise data are associated with the time period.
9. A control panel for use with an exercise device, comprising:
memory residing on the exercise device, the memory being configured
as an exercise journal to store exercise data representative of one
or more exercise parameters for a plurality of users, wherein the
exercise parameters correspond to a range of time periods and span
multiple workout sessions for each of the plurality of users; a
user input operatively associated with the memory, the user input
being configured to receive input to select a user from the
plurality of users for each of the plurality of users; an output
device operatively associated with the memory, the output device
having: a first display portion and a second display portion, the
first display portion indicating selectable and navigable time
periods within an indicated time period, the second portion
indicating cumulative exercise data for the indicated time period,
wherein selecting a selectable time period within the first display
portion causes the output device to display cumulative exercise
data for the selected time period in the second display
portion.
10. The control panel of claim 9, wherein the output device is
configured to apply display treatment to selectable time periods
having exercise data associated therewith.
11. The control panel of claim 9, wherein the output of the output
device is selectable between the selectable time period and
cumulative exercise data and current exercise parameters.
12. The control panel of claim 11, wherein the user input includes
a journal selection key and a navigation pad.
13. The control panel of claim 9, the control panel being
configured to be operatively associated with a treadmill.
14. The control panel of claim 9, the control panel being
configured to be operatively associated with an elliptical exercise
device.
15. The control panel of claim 9, wherein the selectable time
period ranges from years, months, weeks and days
16. An exercise device, comprising: an exercise mechanism; and a
control panel operatively associated with the exercise mechanism,
the control panel having an output device, wherein the output
device comprises a multi-functional display having at least one
journal display and at least one current exercise data of the
exercise mechanism, the journal display for displaying exercise
data for a plurality of users, wherein the exercise data
corresponds to a range of time periods and spans multiple workout
sessions for each of the plurality of users.
17. The exercise device of claim 16, the output device including a
first display portion and a second display portion, the second
display portion indicating an indicated time period ranging from
years, months, weeks and days that may be navigated with the user
input display portion, the second display portion displaying
cumulative exercise data for the indicated time period, the first
display portion displaying selectable time periods within the
indicated time period, wherein selecting a selectable time period
within the first display portion causes the output device to
display a selected time period in the second display portion and to
display cumulative exercise data for the selected time period in
the second display portion.
18. The exercise device of claim 17, the first and second regions
being configured to selectively display both the journal display
and the current exercise data representative of current operating
parameters of the exercise mechanism.
19. The device of claim 17, wherein the output device is configured
to display cumulative exercise data that include at least one of
speed of a continuous belt, an incline of a tread base, exercise
duration period, and exercise day.
20. The device of claim 18, wherein the plurality of time periods
includes days, weeks, and months.
21. The device of claim 18, wherein the control panel is configured
to control at least one of a speed of a continuous belt and an
incline of a tread base.
22. The device of claim 16, wherein the exercise mechanism includes
an elliptical exercise device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/940,626 filed May 29, 2007, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
Background and Relevant Art
[0002] In an attempt to improve their health and physical
conditioning, consumers are purchasing home exercise devices in
record quantities. Frequently, such consumers want to track their
exercise parameters over time. These parameters may include such
values as the time spent exercising on a given day as well as the
distance covered. In addition to tracking values on a given date,
users often seek to track exercise parameters over a given time
period.
[0003] One approach sometimes utilized by users is to manually
write down the exercise parameters in a log booklet once the
workout is complete. Such an approach requires the user to locate a
writing utensil and the journal each time the user finishes
exercising or to find writing space near the exercise device to
record the distance and time. Other systems track some of the
user's exercise parameters using separate equipment. For example,
heart rate monitors are available that track the exercise time as
well as heart rate for a given period. With such approaches,
exercise parameters are often difficult to track as the distance
and other exercise parameters must be tracked separately.
[0004] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to
embodiments that solve the foregoing disadvantages or that operate
only in environments such as those described above. Rather, the
foregoing background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary
technology area where some embodiments described herein may be
practiced.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0005] In a system having an exercise device having an exercise
mechanism, and a control panel operatively associated with the
exercise mechanism and configured to vary one or more exercise
parameters of the exercise mechanism, a method for storing and
display exercise parameters in an exercise journal includes storing
in a user specific exercise journal of the exercise device exercise
data representative of one or more exercise parameters for each
user, the exercise data corresponding to a range of time periods,
displaying the user specific exercise journal within a display
associated with the control panel with one or more selected time
periods for a selected date range being displayed in a first
portion of the display and cumulative exercise data for the
selected user and the selected date range or the one or more time
periods being displayed on a second portion of the display;
[0006] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of
the claimed subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] A more particular description of the subject matter briefly
described below will be rendered by reference to specific
embodiments which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments
and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting in scope,
embodiments will be described and explained with additional
specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exercise device which
includes an exercise journal according to one example;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating one example of providing
access to exercise parameters in a hierarchal fashion on the
display of an exercise device according to one example;
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an exercise device with an exercise
journal according to one example;
[0011] FIGS. 4A-4F illustrate an exercise journal displayed on an
exercise device according to one example; and
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates an exercise device with an exercise
journal according to one example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Exercise devices are described herein with an exercise
journal function which allows multiple users to track exercise
parameters. In one example, the exercise journal tracks exercise
parameters on a per workout basis and cumulative exercise
parameters over one or more time period. A user is then able to
navigate through the time periods to view exercise parameters for a
selected period, including cumulative exercise parameters for the
selected period.
[0014] The exercise journal function is provided with devices that
include one or more motors or other electrically driven actuators
used to control one or more exercise parameters of the device.
While one example will be described in the context of a motorized
treadmill, it should be understood that the invention is not
limited to any particular type of exercise device. To the contrary,
the present invention can be readily adapted to any motorized
device or any other device that utilizes motors, solenoids, or any
other electrically driven actuators to control any operating
parameter of the device, such as speed, resistance, incline, time,
temperature, or other similar exercise parameters.
[0015] The term "device" or "devices" shall refer broadly to any
type of apparatus that includes one or more stepper motors,
solenoids, or other electrically driven actuators or controllers.
Additionally, the term "exercise devices" shall refer broadly to
any type of device that takes the form of an exercise machine,
including, but not limited to, treadmills, exercise cycles, Nordic
style ski exercise devices, rowers, steppers, hikers, climbers, and
elliptical or striding exercise devices.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exercise device
100 according to one example. The exercise device 100 includes a
control panel 105, an exercise mechanism 110, and a mechanism
controller 115. As will be described in more detail, the control
panel 105 is configured to allow a user to store exercise
parameters related to the use of the exercise mechanism 110. For
ease of reference, parameters associated with the state of the
exercise device and parameters associated with a user will be
broadly referred to as exercise parameters.
[0017] The control panel 105 is also configured to allow a user to
view and interact with the parameters, such as to navigate
parameters for a cumulative period and/or one or more selected time
periods within the cumulative period. Although shown separated, it
may be appreciated that portions of each may be combined
together.
[0018] The control panel 105 according to the present example
includes a processor 120. The processor 120 coordinates the
interaction between a user and the exercise device 100. In
particular, the processor 120 receives input from one or more
inputs, such as mechanism input 125 and interface control 130. The
mechanism input 125 may relate to such controls as manual override,
scaling control, and other controls and conditions related to the
operation of the exercise mechanism 110 known to one skilled in the
art.
[0019] In addition, each controller, button, and the like may take
the form of one or more switches, rheostats, potentiometers,
touch-sensitive controls, voice-activated controllers, and the
like. The input devices described herein are examples of structures
capable of performing the function of interface means for gathering
a first signal (such as a real-time signal) from the user. One
skilled in the art may identify various other configurations of
interface means that are capable of performing the desired
function.
[0020] The interface control 130 allows the user to interact with
other parts of the control panel 105, including a journal module.
For example, the interface control 130 may include buttons or the
like as previously described.
[0021] Generally, processor 120 may have various configurations to
perform the above-described function as known by one skilled in the
art. For example, processor 120 may take the form of one or more
micro-controllers, central processing unit (CPU), state machines,
programmable logic arrays, a network of logical gates, ASIC
processor, software-based controllers, a combination of these
components, or a variety of other controllers. The operation of the
exercise device 100, including control of the exercise mechanism
110, will first be discussed, followed by a general discussion of
the journal module and its functionality.
[0022] As introduced, the control panel 105 and mechanism input 125
provide one way for a user to control the operation of the exercise
device 105 and to control the operation of the exercise mechanism
110 in particular. For example, the processor 120 may provide
instructions to the mechanism controller 115. The instructions may
be received from a user, may be stored on the device, and/or
received from an outside source. Generally, mechanism controller
115 may communicate with control panel 105 by an I.sup.2C bus, a
SPI bus, a microwire bus, a microbus, and the like.
[0023] The mechanism controller 115 may include a mechanism
processor 132. The mechanism processor 132 may include various
components and modules to control the operation of any desired
characteristics of exercise mechanism 110. Mechanism processor 132
may include any combination of the components similar to those
described above with reference to processor 120.
[0024] The mechanism controller 115 receives instructions from the
processor 120 to control the operation of the exercise mechanism.
The mechanism processor 132 processes the results and sends control
signals to the exercise mechanism 110 to thereby control the
operation of the exercise mechanism 110.
[0025] The exercise device 100, as depicted, optionally includes
one or more sensor, collectively referred to as sensors 134. The
sensors 134 gather exercise parameters of exercise device 100, such
that control panel 105 may present outputs via the output devices
that are indicative of the present operating state of the exercise
device 100 at any given point in time. The exercise device 100 may
include other sensors that gather various other exercise parameters
associated with a user, such as, but not limited to, maximum pulse
and heart rate, average pulse and heart rate, target heart rate,
length of workout session, and the like.
[0026] Both the processor 120 and the mechanism processor 132 may
be capable of receiving and transmitting feedback signals from the
sensors 134. Each processor 120, 132 may be capable of converting
the feedback signals for use by output devices, such as video
output device 135 and audio output device 140. The processor 120
and/or mechanism processor 132 in turn may communicate the exercise
parameters to an audio/video controller 145.
[0027] The audio/video controller 145 converts the signals received
from the processor 120 into signals the video output device 135
and/or the audio device 140 convert into display and audio output,
respectively. Accordingly, control panel 105 is able to provide the
user with the exercise parameters of the exercise mechanism 110 in
the form of visual and/or audio output.
[0028] The audio/video controller 145, may include one or more
amplifiers, micro-controllers, central processing units, state
machines, programmable logic arrays, network local logical arrays,
gates, ASIC processors, software based controllers, combination
logic, or combinations thereof to both manipulate audio and video
signals that are to be transmitted to the output devices 135,
140.
[0029] Additionally, audio/video controller 145 may include memory,
such as a buffer, to store and aid with real-time transmission and
delivery of the audio and video signals. It may be appreciated by
one skilled in the art that various audio/video controllers 145 are
applicable and known in the art in light of the teaching contained
herein.
[0030] The processor 120 and/or the mechanism processor 132 may be
coupled to memory 150. The memory 150 is configured to store the
exercise parameters received from the processors, 120, 132. The
operational parameters may include such variables as the data
and/or time of the workout, the duration of the workout, the
workout, the average speed of the workout, and any parameters
associated with the workout.
[0031] In particular, the exercise device 100 is configured to
store exercise parameters in a personal exercise journal 155. The
exercise parameters may be organized hierarchically according to
time periods within a range of dates. The hierarchal organization
of the exercise parameters may be accomplished within the memory
150 or may performed by the processor 132 in accessing the exercise
parameters or may be accomplished by some combination of the
two.
[0032] In either case, a hierarchal organization may be utilized
which allows a user to see a top level of exercise parameters,
which may include cumulative exercise parameters over a selected
time period, such as for the last calendar year, for the present
calendar year, for the life of the treadmill, or some other
cumulative duration. Other periods within the cumulative period may
be searched, such as months, weeks, days, or any other time period,
as will be discussed in more detail below.
[0033] The interface control 130 is configured to allow the user to
navigate the hierarchical organization of the exercise parameters
stored on the memory 150. The group of exercise parameters stored
on the device may be generally referred to as an exercise journal.
The ability to view exercise parameters in the journal may allow
the user to rapidly access the desired parameters. The ability to
rapidly access the desired exercise parameters may allow the user
to conveniently view the exercise parameters, which in turn may
increase the user's satisfaction with the workout experience. In
addition to numeric or textual output, other visual output, such as
graphical displays, may be utilized to indicate exercise
parameters.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating one example of providing
access to exercise parameters in a hierarchal fashion on the
display of an exercise device. One exemplary method will be briefly
introduced in FIG. 2 and will be discussed in more detail with
reference to an exemplary user interface, which will be illustrated
in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 4A-4F. The method begins at step S200 when the
system receives input from the user selecting the journal.
[0035] In one example, prior to receiving the journal selection
input, the system may display a default screen, at step S20. The
default screen may vary according to the operational condition of
the exercise device. For example, if the exercise device is in use,
the default screen may be a display of the current exercise
parameters of the device. Similarly, if the exercise device is not
in use, the default screen may include instructions for activating
the device, graphics, instructions for activating the journal, or
any output as desired.
[0036] Once the system has received an input to open the journal,
at step S205, the control panel displays a profile selection
screen. The profile selection screen may include a menu that allows
a user to select a user profile. Any number of user profiles may be
stored on the control panel for selection by the user. At step S210
the system receives the user's selection.
[0037] In one example, the user is able to navigate the user
profile menu using the interface controls to indicate a selection.
At step S215, the system then determines which screen to display
based on the user's selection. The user's selection may include a
selection to return to the default screen parameter (END, step
S215) or a selection chosen from the menu in the profile selection
screen (SELECT, step 215), which in this case may include a
selection of one of the user profiles displayed on the profile
selection screen. If the user selection is to END, the default
screen is again displayed as illustrated in step S20.
[0038] If the user has selected a profile, at step S220 the system
displays a cumulative parameters screen associated with the
profile. According to one example, the cumulative parameters screen
displays the cumulative exercise parameters for a selected
cumulative period, such as a date range covering a desired number
of months or years or any other period of time. Any date range may
be identified for which a user is able to view cumulative results.
Such time periods may include such intervals as years, months,
weeks, and/or days.
[0039] In general, selectable time periods within an indicated time
period may be displayed on a first display portion of a video
output device in the system. Similarly, the indicated time period
itself as well as cumulative exercise parameters for the indicated
time period may be displayed on a second display portion of the
same video output device. Once a selectable time period is
selected, the selected time period then becomes the indicated time
period displayed on the second display portion while additional
selectable time periods, if available, are displayed on the first
display portion.
[0040] In step S220, the indicated time period is a cumulative time
period, such as a year. Accordingly, the selectable time periods
are months that may be displayed in the first display portion of
the video output device while the year and cumulative exercise
parameters for the year are displayed on the second display portion
of the video display device.
[0041] Any number of additional time periods within the date range
corresponding to the indicated time period may be identified in
which cumulative exercise parameters may be provided. For ease of
reference, a hierarchal architecture will be described in which the
longest indicated period is described as the cumulative period or a
date range. The cumulative period is navigated by month, each month
is navigated by week, and each week is navigated by day.
Accordingly, in addition to displaying the cumulative exercise
parameters for the cumulative period, at step S220 the system may
also display a calendar or list of months that are within the
cumulative period. The user is able to navigate through the months
using the interface controls.
[0042] At step S225, the system receives the user's selection. At
step S230, the system determines which input has been received. In
particular, the system may determine whether the input is a command
to end the session (END), to select one of the items from the menu
(SELECT), or to view the previous screen (BACK). Identifying an END
command will cause the system to again display the default screen
at step S20. Identifying a BACK selection will cause the system to
display the user selection profile screen at step S205.
[0043] If a SELECT input is identified, at step S235 the system
displays the screen associated with the user selection. In one
example, identifying the SELECT input includes identifying the
month screen to display. The month screen according to one example
includes a display of the exercise parameters for the time period
in the second display portion. The month screen may include a
graphical menu, such as a display in which the days of the month
are organized into weeks on the display as if viewed on a daily
calendar on the first display portion. The month screen is
displayed until the system receives a selection from the user at
step S240. The system then again identifies what input has been
received at S245. Identifying the selection may include identifying
the END input to cause the system to display the default screen at
step S20 while identifying a BACK input to cause the system to
display the cumulative parameters screen at S220.
[0044] If the system identifies a SELECT input, at step 250 the
system displays a screen corresponding to the selection received
with the input. In one example, a week screen may be identified at
step 245 such that at step 250 the system displays a week screen.
The week screen may include a display of the operational parameters
associated with that week.
[0045] The week screen is displayed until at step 255, the system
receives the user's selection. At step 260 the system again
identifies the user's input. Identifying END or BACK selections
causes the same results discussed above. If the SELECT input is
identified, a day screen corresponding with the selected day is
displayed, which includes a display of the exercise parameters for
the day. At this point, several time periods have been identified
at which a user is able to view cumulative results, from such date
ranging from years, to months, to weeks, to days.
[0046] Any number of additional time periods may be identified in
which cumulative exercise parameters may be provided. For ease of
illustration, the day screen will be described as the shortest
period for which exercise parameters are stored. Accordingly, in
one example the system will continue to display the day screen at
step S265 until input is received at step S270 and identified at
step S275 as an END input to cause the system to display the
default screen as step S20 or as a BACK input to cause the system
to display the week screen at step S255. Accordingly, the present
method allows a user to navigate and view cumulative statistics for
a variety of periods on the exercise device. One example of a
treadmill will now be discussed followed by a discussion of the
interaction between the treadmill and the control panel.
[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates a treadmill 312, in one embodiment,
includes a control panel 105' supported on a generally upright
support structure 324 and a tread base 326. Upright support
structure 324, in this illustrative embodiment, includes two side
members 328, 330 coupled together by way of one or more cross
members 332. Side members 328, 330 and cross members 332 may have
various configurations and may be fabricated from various materials
so long as they are capable of supporting control panel 105' and
tread base 326. For example, the elements of upright support
structure 324 may be fabricated from, but not limited to, metals,
plastics, composites, combinations thereof, and the like.
Additionally, one skilled in the art may appreciate that various
other exercise devices may have different upright support
structures, side members, and cross members, or may be devoid of
one or more of such structures and members.
[0048] The tread base 326 typically includes a pair of side rails
334, 336 each having a front portion proximal to and a rear portion
distal from the upright support structure 324 when tread base 326
is in a downward exercisable position. Pulleys are disposed between
and supported by side rails 334, 336, while a continuous belt 342
extends between and around the pulleys.
[0049] A deck, commonly fabricated from wood, typically supports
the upper run of belt 342 and supports an exercising individual
resting upon belt 342. In addition to the ability to control and
vary the speed of belt 342, treadmill 312 also permits the degree
of incline of tread base 326 relative to the floor, or other
surface upon which tread base 326 rests, to be varied.
[0050] In particular, the control panel 105' includes mechanism
inputs 125' which are configured to operate and vary the exercise
parameters of the treadmill 312, including the speed of the belt
342 and the incline of tread base 326. As illustrated in FIG. 4A,
the mechanism inputs 125' may include several buttons configured to
operate and vary the exercise parameters of an exercise mechanism
associated with the control panel 105', which in the illustrated
example may relate to a treadmill. These buttons include a start
button 400, a stop button 405, and a dead-man key 407. The
mechanism inputs 125' also include a speed increase button 410 and
a speed decrease button 415 as well as an incline increase button
420 and an incline decrease button 425. The mechanism inputs 125'
according to the illustrated example also include a row of indexed
speed selection keys 430 and indexed incline keys 435.
[0051] In order to operate the treadmill 312 (FIG. 3), a user
initially inserts the dead-man key 407 into a corresponding slot in
the control panel 105'. Upon insertion of the dead-man key 407, the
treadmill 312 is capable of being operated, i.e., power is allowed
to flow to the various internal and external components of the
treadmill 312, and the treadmill 312 has an active status. While
the treadmill has an active status, the user may use the mechanism
inputs 125' to vary the exercise parameters of the treadmill 312 as
desired. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, when the treadmill 312 is
active, the video display device 135' may provide a default
display, which may include the current exercise parameters
associated with the user and/or the device or any other selected
default display.
[0052] The user is also able to interact with the interface
controls 130' to activate a journal module. The interface controls
130' may include a journal selection button 440, a navigation pad
445, a back button 450, and other buttons or controls as desired.
In the present example, the user activates the journal module by
pressing the journal selection button 440. Once the user has
pressed the journal selection button 440, the video output device
135' displays a profile selection screen.
[0053] The profile selection screen illustrated in FIG. 4B includes
one or more profile. The user is able to navigate the profile
selection screen using a navigation pad 445. The navigation pad 445
according to the present examples may include arrows indicating a
navigation direction and a center selection portion. The process
used for navigating the journal may be similar to that described
above with reference to FIG. 2. Accordingly, once a user has
selected a user profile, the video output device 135' displays a
cumulative screen for the selected user, as illustrated in FIG.
4C.
[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 4C, the cumulative screen for the
selected user may includes selectable time periods corresponding
for an indicated time period on the first display portion 455 of
the video output device 135' and cumulative exercise parameters for
the time period as well as the indicated time period itself on a
second display portion 460. The screen illustrated in FIG. 4C may
correspond to an indicated time period which covers several months,
such as a year. Accordingly, the cumulative exercise parameters are
displayed on the second display portion 460 of the video output
device 135' and a list of months are displayed on the first display
portion 455 of the video output device 135'. The cumulative
exercise parameters illustrated in FIG. 4C include the total time
the user exercised during the cumulative period, the total distance
traversed, as well as the total number of calories burned during
the cumulative period indicated.
[0055] These examples illustrate only a few of the exercise
parameters that may be displayed. Other exercise parameters may be
selected for display as desired. For example, such parameters may
include heart rate data for a user during a specified time period.
Accordingly, the control panel 105' may include heart rate sensors
such as manual heart rate sensors 465. The sensors 134 (FIG. 1) may
also include a wireless heart rate sensor configured to receive
heart rate data from a wireless strap worn by the user. In either
case, the control panel 105' may be configured to monitor, display,
and/or store heart rate data.
[0056] Returning to the display illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4F,
selecting the back button 450 causes the video output device 135'
to output the previous screen, such as the screen illustrated in
FIG. 4B. Pressing the journal select button 440 may end the journal
session and cause the video output device 135' to display the
default screen. Consequently, selecting the journal selection
button 440 may allow the user to toggle the output of the video
output device 135' between the journal module and current exercise
parameters. The interface controls 130' may also include a workout
selection key 447. The workout selection key 447 may further allow
a user to cause the video output device 130' to display workouts,
which may be stored in memory 150 (FIG. 1).
[0057] If the user selects one of the selectable time periods
displayed in the first display portion 455, in this case months,
the video output device 135' displays a month screen, as
illustrated in FIG. 4D. The month screen provides a cumulative
display for the selected month in the second display portion 460
and additional time periods within the month. For example, the
selected month becomes the indicated time period and is displayed
in the second display portion 460. Additional, the month screen may
provide a display of the days of the month arranged by weeks to
represent a calendar displayed on the first display portion 455.
The weeks and days then become selectable time periods.
[0058] The days for which exercise parameters have been stored have
a display treatment applied thereto. The application of a display
treatment to days with exercise parameters may allow a user to
rapidly determine for which days the system does or does not have
data stored. The display treatment applied in FIG. 4D may include
highlighting days for which exercise parameters are stored.
Accordingly, as illustrated in FIGS. 4C-4D, selecting a selected
time period from the available time periods displayed on first
display portion 455 causes the first display portion 455 to display
additional time periods, if any, which are available within the
selected time period. Thus, the display in the second display
portion 460 changes with the first display portion 455 to include a
display of cumulative exercise parameters for the selected and
displayed time period.
[0059] The user may use the navigation pad 445 to navigate the
calendar displayed in first display portion 455 to select a week
that has exercise parameters. The user may then select a week, also
using the navigation pad. If the user selects a week, the video
output device 135' displays a week screen as illustrated in FIG.
4E.
[0060] The week screen illustrated on the video output device 135'
in FIG. 4E includes a cumulative total of the exercise parameters
for that week on the second display portion 460. In the example
illustrated in FIG. 4E, the video output device 135' also displays
the days for which exercise parameters are available in the first
display portion 455. In the illustrated example, a single day, the
May 6, has exercise parameters associated therewith, and as such is
the only day illustrated in the first display portion 455.
[0061] In another example, the week screen may display all of the
days in the week and apply a display treatment to selected days to
differentiate between days for which exercise parameters are stored
from days for which exercise parameters are not stored.
Accordingly, the control panel 105' includes a journal module
running thereon which allows a user to view and navigate various
time periods while viewing the cumulative exercise parameters
associated with the time periods.
[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 4F, selecting the date within the
week screen (FIG. 4E) causes the video output device to display the
selected time period, in this case a day, in the second display
portion 460 as well as cumulative exercise parameters for the
selected time period. In the present example, no additional time
periods are available within the day. Additional exercise
parameters are illustrated for the day in the first display portion
455.
[0063] FIG. 5 illustrates an elliptical exercise device 500 that
includes a control panel 105'' that includes personal exercise
journal functionality. According to one example, the control panel
105'' allows a user to interact with an exercise journal module, as
described above.
[0064] Embodiments herein may comprise a special purpose or
general-purpose computer including various computer hardware, as
discussed in greater detail below. Embodiments may also include
computer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executable
instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such
computer-readable media can be any available media that can be
accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way
of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can
comprise SD Cards, MMC card, general removable flash memory device,
USB drives, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage,
magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any
other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program
code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data
structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or
special purpose computer. When information is transferred or
provided over a network or another communications connection
(either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or
wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views the connection
as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is
properly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the
above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable
media.
[0065] Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example,
instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer,
special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to
perform a certain function or group of functions. Although the
subject matter has been described in language specific to
structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be
understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims
is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts
described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described
above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the
claims.
[0066] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
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