U.S. patent application number 12/942079 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-19 for exercise apparatus including an exercise machine with a controller capable of communicating with a media device.
This patent application is currently assigned to PAN-WORLD CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Chih-Hsien CHEN, Wen-Bin TSAI.
Application Number | 20110118084 12/942079 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44011743 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110118084 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TSAI; Wen-Bin ; et
al. |
May 19, 2011 |
EXERCISE APPARATUS INCLUDING AN EXERCISE MACHINE WITH A CONTROLLER
CAPABLE OF COMMUNICATING WITH A MEDIA DEVICE
Abstract
An exercise apparatus includes an exercise machine and a media
device. The exercise machine includes an exercise device and a
controller. The exercise device generates an electrical output
through an exercise mechanism that drives operation of a power
generating unit. The controller includes a status data generating
unit for receiving the electrical output and generating exercise
status data based on the electrical output, a control unit storing
user-configured data and the exercise status data, and a resistance
controlling unit controlled by the control unit for causing the
exercise status data to conform with the user-configured data. The
control unit and the media device are configured to operate
according to a personal computer compatible protocol. The
user-configured data is established and configured through the
media device. The exercise status data is stored in or displayed by
the media device.
Inventors: |
TSAI; Wen-Bin; (Taipei City,
TW) ; CHEN; Chih-Hsien; (Taipei City, TW) |
Assignee: |
PAN-WORLD CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES,
INC.
Taipei City
TW
|
Family ID: |
44011743 |
Appl. No.: |
12/942079 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 24/0087 20130101;
A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B 2071/0683 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/2 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/00 20060101
A63B071/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 17, 2009 |
TW |
098221337 |
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus comprising an exercise machine and a media
device, wherein said exercise machine includes a machine body, an
exercise device disposed on said machine body, and a controller
disposed on said machine body; wherein said exercise device
includes: a power generating unit operable to generate an
electrical output, said power generating unit including an
electrically-controllable variable resistance unit; and a
user-operable exercise mechanism coupled to said power generating
unit and manually operable to drive operation of said power
generating unit; wherein said controller includes: a first
transmission interface; a status data generating unit for receiving
the electrical output of said power generating unit and generating
exercise status data based on the electrical output received from
said power generating unit; a control unit coupled to said first
transmission interface, said control unit and said first
transmission interface being configured to operate according to a
personal computer compatible protocol, said control unit storing
user-configured data received via said first transmission
interface, said control unit being further coupled to said status
data generating unit and storing the exercise status data generated
by said status data generating unit; a resistance controlling unit
coupled to said electrically-controllable variable resistance unit
and further coupled to and controlled by said control unit to vary
resistance of said electrically-controllable variable resistance
unit for causing the exercise status data to conform with the
user-configured data; and a power supply unit coupled to and
receiving the electrical output of said power generating unit and
further coupled to said first transmission interface, said status
data generating unit, said control unit and said resistance
controlling unit for supplying power thereto; and wherein said
media device is configured to operate according to the personal
computer compatible protocol, and includes a second transmission
interface that is operable to establish connection with said
controller via said first transmission interface so as to receive
the exercise status data from said controller, an operation
interface that is user-operable for establishing the
user-configured data that is provided to said control unit via said
first and second transmission interfaces, and at least one of a
storage unit for storing the exercise status data received by said
second transmission interface and a display screen for display of
the exercise status data received by said second transmission
interface.
2. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
exercise machine further includes a power supply interface that is
disposed on said machine body, and that is coupled to said power
supply unit so as to receive power therefrom, said power supply
interface including at least one of a battery charging port, an AC
commercial power port, a USB port and a direct current (DC) power
port, each adapted for connection to an external device for
supplying power thereto.
3. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
exercise machine is in a form of an exercise bicycle, and said
exercise mechanism of said exercise device is in a form of a pedal
mechanism.
4. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said media
device is selected from the group consisting of a mobile phone, a
portable computer, a portable media player, a game console, a
desktop computer, and a television set.
5. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first
transmission interface and said second transmission interface are
wired communication interfaces.
6. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first
transmission interface and said second transmission interface are
wireless communication interfaces.
7. An exercise machine configured to operate according to a
personal computer compatible protocol and adapted to establish
connection with a media device, the media device being configured
to operate according to the personal computer compatible protocol,
said exercise machine comprising a machine body, an exercise device
disposed on said machine body, and a controller disposed on said
machine body, wherein said exercise device includes: a power
generating unit operable to generate an electrical output, said
power generating unit including an electrically-controllable
variable resistance unit; and a user-operable exercise mechanism
coupled to said power generating unit and manually operable to
drive operation of said power generating unit; and wherein said
controller includes: a first transmission interface; a status data
generating unit for receiving the electrical output of said power
generating unit and generating exercise status data based on the
electrical output received from said power generating unit; a
control unit coupled to said first transmission interface, said
control unit and said first transmission interface being configured
to operate according to the personal computer compatible protocol,
said control unit storing user-configured data received via said
first transmission interface from the media device, said control
unit being further coupled to said status data generating unit,
storing the exercise status data generated by said status data
generating unit, and transmitting the exercise status data to the
media device via said first transmission interface; a resistance
controlling unit coupled to said electrically-controllable variable
resistance unit and further coupled to and controlled by said
control unit to vary resistance of said electrically-controllable
variable resistance unit for causing the exercise status data to
conform with the user-configured data; and a power supply unit
coupled to and receiving the electrical output of said power
generating unit and further coupled to said first transmission
interface, said status data generating unit, said control unit and
said resistance controlling unit for supplying power thereto.
8. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a
power supply interface that is disposed on said machine body and
that is coupled to said power supply unit so as to receive power
therefrom, said power supply interface including at least one of a
battery charging port, an AC commercial power port, a USB port and
a direct current (DC) power port, each is adapted for connection to
an external device for supplying power thereto.
9. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 7, being in a form of
an exercise bicycle, wherein said exercise mechanism of said
exercise device is in a form of a pedal mechanism.
10. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first
transmission interface is a wired communication interface.
11. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first
transmission interface is a wireless communication interface.
12. A controller for an exercise machine, the exercise machine
including a power generating unit and an exercise mechanism for
driving operation of the power generating unit, the power
generating unit including an electrically-controllable variable
resistance unit and being operable to generate an electrical
output, said controller comprising: a first transmission interface;
a status data generating unit for receiving the electrical output
of the power generating unit and generating exercise status data
based on the electrical output received from the power generating
unit; a control unit coupled to said first transmission interface,
said control unit and said first transmission interface being
configured to operate according to a personal computer compatible
protocol, said control unit storing user-configured data received
via said first transmission interface, said control unit being
further coupled to said status data generating unit, and storing
the exercise status data generated by said status data generating
unit; a resistance controlling unit to be coupled to the
electrically-controllable variable resistance unit and further
coupled to and controlled by said control unit to vary resistance
of the electrically-controllable variable resistance unit for
causing the exercise status data to conform with the
user-configured data; and a power supply unit to be coupled to the
power generating unit for receiving the electrical output thereof
and further coupled to said first transmission interface, said
status data generating unit, said control unit and said resistance
controlling unit for supplying power thereto.
13. The controller as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first
transmission interface is a wired communication interface.
14. The controller as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first
transmission interface is a wireless communication interface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application
No. 098221337, filed on Nov. 17, 2009.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus, more
particularly to an exercise apparatus including an exercise machine
with a controller capable of communicating with a media device.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Taiwanese Patent Nos. I220388 and M261236, disclosed an
exercise apparatus including an exercise mechanism and an operation
interface on a machine body. For example, the exercise mechanism
may be a combination of a pedal mechanism and a flywheel of an
exercise bicycle or a tread belt of a treadmill, and the operation
interface which consumes electrical power may be an operation
panel, a joystick, a display, etc. Users may establish or configure
an exercise condition for adjusting operation conditions of the
exercise mechanism via the operation interface, and may receive
operation information of the exercise mechanism via the operation
interface. Moreover, the exercise apparatus may continue adjusting
operation conditions of the exercise mechanism to conform to the
exercise condition configured by users via a built-in control unit
of the operation interface.
[0006] When building a conventional exercise apparatus, it is
impractical to have different manufacturers manufacture the
exercise mechanism and the operation interface separately for
achieving demands for modularization and simplification of
manufacture because the aforementioned exercise mechanism needs
continuous control by the operation interface. Furthermore, users
are not able to access exercise information about heart rate,
mileage and exercise conditions, and transfer the exercise
information to other exercise apparatuses for continued usage
because the operation interface is fixed to the machine body and is
operable only in combination with the specific exercise
mechanism.
[0007] Thus, in Taiwanese Patent Nos. M320130, M256975 and M247237,
an exercise panel or an exercise apparatus is provided with a
transmission interface for connection to a portable storage device.
Users may store, record, retrieve and continue using the exercise
information on other exercise apparatuses with the same
transmission interface by virtue of the portable storage device,
such as a USB flash drive. However, an exercise mechanism of the
disclosed exercise apparatus still needs continuous control by the
operation interface, and thus it is not suitable to have different
manufacturers manufacture the exercise mechanism and the operation
interface separately for achieving demands for modularization and
simplification of manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an exercise
apparatus with modular components.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise machine configured to operate according to a personal
computer compatible protocol and having an interface adapted for
connection to an external media device.
[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a controller for an exercise machine.
[0011] Accordingly, an exercise apparatus of the present invention
includes an exercise machine and a media device. The exercise
machine includes a machine body, an exercise device disposed on the
machine body, and a controller disposed on the machine body. The
exercise device includes a power generating unit operable to
generate an electrical output, and a user-operable exercise
mechanism. The power generating unit includes an
electrically-controllable variable resistance unit. The exercise
mechanism is coupled to the power generating unit and is manually
operable to drive operation of the power generating unit. The
controller includes a first transmission interface, a status data
generating unit, a control unit, a resistance controlling unit, and
a power supply unit. The status data generating unit is for
receiving the electrical output of the power generating unit, and
generates exercise status data based on the electrical output
received from the power generating unit. The control unit is
coupled to the first transmission interface. The control unit and
the first transmission interface are configured to operate
according to a personal computer compatible protocol. The control
unit stores user-configured data received via the first
transmission interface. The control unit is further coupled to the
status data generating unit, and stores the exercise status data
generated by the status data generating unit. The resistance
controlling unit is coupled to the electrically-controllable
variable resistance unit, and is further coupled to and controlled
by the control unit to vary resistance of the
electrically-controllable variable resistance unit for causing the
exercise status data to conform with the user-configured data. The
power supply unit is coupled to and receives the electrical output
of the power generating unit, and is further coupled to the first
transmission interface, the status data generating unit, the
control unit and the resistance controlling unit for supplying
power thereto. The media device is configured to operate according
to the personal computer compatible protocol. The media device
includes a second transmission interface that is operable to
establish connection with the controller via the first transmission
interface so as to receive the exercise status data from the
controller, an operation interface that is user-operable for
establishing the user-configured data that is provided to the
control unit via the first and second transmission interfaces, and
at least one of a storage unit for storing the exercise status data
received by the second transmission interface and a display screen
for display of the exercise status data received by the second
transmission interface.
[0012] According to another aspect, an exercise machine of the
present invention is configured to operate according to a personal
computer compatible protocol, and is adapted to establish
connection with a media device. The media device is configured to
operate according to the personal computer compatible protocol. The
exercise machine includes a machine body, an exercise device
disposed on the machine body, and a controller disposed on the
machine body. The exercise device includes a power generating unit
and a user-operable exercise mechanism. The power generating unit
is operable to generate an electrical output, and includes an
electrically-controllable variable resistance unit. The
user-operable exercise mechanism is coupled to the power generating
unit, and is manually operable to drive operation of the power
generating unit. The controller includes a first transmission
interface, a status data generating unit, a control unit, a
resistance controlling unit, and a power supply unit. The status
data generating unit is for receiving the electrical output of the
power generating unit, and generates exercise status data based on
the electrical output received from the power generating unit. The
control unit is coupled to the first transmission interface. The
control unit and the first transmission interface are configured to
operate according to the personal computer compatible protocol. The
control unit stores user-configured data received via the first
transmission interface from the media device. The control unit is
further coupled to the status data generating unit, stores the
exercise status data generated by the status data generating unit,
and transmits the exercise status data to the media device via the
first transmission interface. The resistance controlling unit is
coupled to the electrically-controllable variable resistance unit,
and is further coupled to and controlled by the control unit to
vary resistance of the electrically-controllable variable
resistance unit for causing the exercise status data to conform
with the user-configured data. The power supply unit is coupled to
and receives the electrical output of the power generating unit,
and is further coupled to the first transmission interface, the
status data generating unit, the control unit and the resistance
controlling unit for supplying power thereto.
[0013] According to still another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a controller for an exercise machine. The
exercise machine includes a power generating unit and an exercise
mechanism for driving operation of the power generating unit. The
power generating unit includes an electrically-controllable
variable resistance unit, and is operable to generate an electrical
output. The controller includes a first transmission interface, a
status data generating unit, a control unit, a resistance
controlling unit, and a power supply unit. The status data
generating unit is for receiving the electrical output of the power
generating unit, and generates exercise status data based on the
electrical output received from the power generating unit. The
control unit is coupled to the first transmission interface. The
control unit and the first transmission interface are configured to
operate according to a personal computer compatible protocol. The
control unit stores user-configured data received via the first
transmission interface. The control unit is further coupled to the
status data generating unit, and stores the exercise status data
generated by the status data generating unit. The resistance
controlling unit is to be coupled to the electrically-controllable
variable resistance unit, and is further coupled to and controlled
by the control unit to vary resistance of the
electrically-controllable variable resistance unit for causing the
exercise status data to conform with the user-configured data. The
power supply unit is to be coupled to the power generating unit for
receiving the electrical output thereof, and is further coupled to
the first transmission interface, the status data generating unit,
the control unit and the resistance controlling unit for supplying
power thereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the fol lowing detailed description of the
preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings,
of which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention, illustrating an exercise apparatus, an
exercise machine of the exercise apparatus which is configured to
operate according to a personal computer compatible protocol, and a
controller for the exercise machine; and
[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating components of the exercise machine
and a media device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of
the exercise apparatus 200 of the present invention includes an
exercise machine 20 and a media device 30.
[0018] The exercise machine 20, which is configured to operate
according to a personal computer compatible protocol, includes a
machine body 21, an exercise device 22 disposed on the machine body
21, a controller 23 disposed on the machine body 21, and a power
supply interface 24.
[0019] In this embodiment, the exercise machine 21 is in a form of
an exercise bicycle.
[0020] The exercise device 22 includes a power generating unit 224
operable to generate an electrical output, and a user-operable
exercise mechanism 222. The power generating unit 224, such as an
AC generator, includes an electrically-controllable variable
resistance unit 225, such as a variable resistance load. The
exercise mechanism 222 is coupled to the power generating unit 224
and is manually operable to drive operation of the power generating
unit 224.
[0021] In this embodiment, the exercise mechanism 222 is in a form
of a pedal mechanism, and may include a flywheel in practice.
[0022] The controller 23 includes a first transmission interface
234, a status data generating unit 232, a control unit 235, a
resistance controlling unit 233, and a power supply unit 231.
[0023] The first transmission interface 234 and the control unit
235 are configured to operate according to a personal computer
compatible protocol.
[0024] The status data generating unit 232 is for receiving the
electrical output of the power generating unit 224, and generates
exercise status data based on the electrical output received from
the power generating unit 224.
[0025] The control unit 235 is coupled to the first transmission
interface 234, and stores user-configured data 236 received via the
first transmission interface 234. The control unit 235 is further
coupled to the status data generating unit 232, and stores the
exercise status data 237 generated by the status data generating
unit 232.
[0026] The resistance controlling unit 233 is coupled to the
electrically-controllable variable resistance unit 225, and is
further coupled to and controlled by the control unit 235 to vary
resistance of the electrically-controllable variable resistance
unit 225 according to a difference between the user-configured data
236 and the exercise status data 237 to thereby vary an internal
load of the power generating unit 224 for causing the exercise
status data 237 to conform with the user-configured data 236.
[0027] In practice, a proportional integral derivative control
technique may be adopted to perform recursion multiple times for
causing the exercise status data 237 to conform with the
user-configured data 236.
[0028] The power supply unit 231 is coupled to and receives the
electrical output of the power generating unit 224, and is further
coupled to the first transmission interface 234, the status data
generating unit 232, the control unit 235 and the resistance
controlling unit 233 for supplying power thereto.
[0029] The power supply interface 24 is disposed on the machine
body 21, and is coupled to the power supply unit 231 so as to
receive power therefrom. The power supply interface 24 includes at
least one of a battery charging port 241, an AC commercial power
port 242, a USB port 243 and a direct current (DC) power port 244,
each adapted for connection to an external device for supplying
power thereto.
[0030] The media device 30 is configured to operate according to
the personal computer compatible protocol. The media device 30
includes a second transmission interface 33 that is operable to
establish connection with the controller 23 via the first
transmission interface 234 so as to receive the exercise status
data 237 from the controller 23, an operation interface 32 that is
user-operable for establishing the user-configured data 236 that is
provided to the control unit 235 via the first and second
transmission interfaces 234, 33, and at least one of a storage unit
311 for storing the exercise status data 237 received by the second
transmission interface 33 and a display screen 312 for display of
the exercise status data 237 received by the second transmission
interface 33. In practice, the media device 30 is selected from the
group consisting of a mobile phone, a portable computer, a portable
media player, a game console, a desktop computer, and a television
set.
[0031] Furthermore, the media device 30 is pre-installed with a
multimedia software application so that users may establish or
configure the user-configured data 236 and view the exercise status
data 237 in a user-friendly manner. In this embodiment, a portable
computer is adopted as the media device 30 so that users may access
the exercise information and transfer and use the information on
other exercise machines. Moreover, if the exercise machine 20 is
used at home, a desktop computer or a television set may be adopted
as the media device 30, so that the same usage effect is achieved
by connecting the exercise machine 20 to the media device 30 for
transmission therebetween.
[0032] In practice, the first transmission interface 234 and the
second transmission interface 33 may be wired communication
interfaces, such as USB, or wireless communication interfaces, such
as Bluetooth.
[0033] In summary, the demands for modularization and
simplification of manufacture are satisfied since the exercise
machine 20 and the media device 30 are manufactured separately, and
are connected for communication with each other according to a
personal computer compatible protocol. For manufacturers of the
exercise machine 20, it is no longer required to manufacture
operation panels according to a conventional technology so that the
production cost of the exercise machine 20 is reduced and a
production time of the same is shortened. For users, the exercise
information may be access through the media device 30, and
transferred to other exercise machines for continued usage.
Specifically, media devices 30 which are configured to operate
according to a personal computer compatible protocol are very
common nowadays. Users generally possess mobile phones, portable
computers, desktop computers, and television set, which may be
configured for use with the exercise machine 20, thus achieving an
effect of expanded functionality.
[0034] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent arrangements.
* * * * *