U.S. patent application number 13/857824 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-10 for integrated exercise device environment controller.
This patent application is currently assigned to ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is ICON HEALTH & FITNESS, INC.. Invention is credited to Scott R. Watterson.
Application Number | 20130267383 13/857824 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49292760 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130267383 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watterson; Scott R. |
October 10, 2013 |
Integrated Exercise Device Environment Controller
Abstract
An exercise environment controller is integrated into an
exercise device and being usable to adjust one or more
environmental parameters relative to an exercise device
environment. The integrated exercise environment controller
includes an input interface that receives environmental inputs from
a user of the exercise device, an environment sensor that detects
current environment parameters of the exercise device's
environment, and a communication module connected to the input
interface and the environment sensor that communicates a control
command to a home automation device that regulates climate for at
least the exercise device environment.
Inventors: |
Watterson; Scott R.; (Logan,
UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ICON HEALTH & FITNESS, INC. |
Logan |
UT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ICON Health & Fitness,
Inc.
Logan
UT
|
Family ID: |
49292760 |
Appl. No.: |
13/857824 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61621119 |
Apr 6, 2012 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2220/30 20130101;
A63B 2225/20 20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B 22/0023
20130101; A63B 2220/75 20130101; A63B 2220/16 20130101; A63B
22/0242 20130101; A63B 2220/76 20130101; A63B 24/0075 20130101;
A63B 2230/50 20130101; A63B 2220/70 20130101; A63B 2220/72
20130101; A63B 22/0235 20130101; A63B 2230/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/4 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00 |
Claims
1. An exercise environment controller that is integrated into an
exercise device, the integrated exercise environment controller
being usable to adjust one or more environmental parameters
relative to an exercise device environment, the integrated exercise
environment controller comprising: an input interface that receives
environmental inputs from a user of the exercise device; an
environment sensor that detects current environment parameters of
the exercise device's environment; and a communication module
connected to the input interface and the environment sensor that
communicates a control command to a home automation device that
regulates climate for at least the exercise device environment,
wherein upon receiving either an input from the input interface or
an indication from the environment sensor, one or more
environmental settings of the home automation device are adjusted
using the control command.
2. The integrated exercise environment controller of claim 1,
wherein the input interface includes buttons that are selectively
activatable by the user.
3. The integrated exercise environment controller of claim 2,
wherein the buttons allow the user to modify environment parameters
for the exercise device's environment including air
temperature.
4. The integrated exercise environment controller of claim 1,
wherein the exercise device environment is located in a household,
the environment of which is regulated by the home automation
device.
5. The integrated exercise environment controller of claim 4,
wherein the integrated exercise environment controller provides
control over one or more environments in the household that are
different than the exercise device's environment.
6. The integrated exercise environment controller of claim 1,
wherein the communication module communicates with the home
automation device to control one or more heating or cooling
devices.
7. The integrated exercise environment controller of claim 6,
wherein the communication module communicates with the home
automation device to control one or more of the following: fans,
misters and central air circulation systems.
8. The integrated exercise environment controller of claim 1,
wherein the environment sensor determines current exercise
parameters including one or more of the following: user's heart
rate, user's body temperature, current pace of the exercise
machine, current incline of the exercise machine.
9. The integrated exercise environment controller of claim 1,
wherein the communication module further comprises a network
interface that communicates with the home automation device via a
wired connection.
10. The integrated exercise environment controller of claim 1,
wherein the communication module further comprises a wireless
network interface that communicates with the home automation device
wirelessly.
11. The integrated exercise environment controller of claim 1,
further comprising a display that displays commands performable on
the home automation device.
12. The integrated exercise environment controller of claim 11,
wherein user input at the display causes the home automation device
to perform one or more tasks.
13. The integrated exercise environment controller of claim 11,
wherein the display further displays status data regarding one or
more aspects of home automation including at least one of the
following: home security, home lighting and home appliance
control.
14. The integrated exercise environment controller of claim 1,
wherein the communication module communicates with the home
automation device to control lighting in the exercise device
environment.
15. The integrated exercise environment controller of claim 1,
further comprising a storage module to store user profiles, wherein
each profile includes user-specific exercise environment
settings.
16. An integrated exercise environmental control system,
comprising: an exercise device, comprising: a movable element that
is movable during the performance of exercise, the movable element
having one or more adjustable operating parameters; a receiver that
receives control commands related to the one or more adjustable
operating parameters; and an actuator that causes the one or more
adjustable operating parameters to be adjusted in response to the
control commands received by the receiver; and an integrated
exercise environment controller, the integrated exercise
environment controller comprising: an input interface that receives
environmental inputs from a user of the exercise device; an
environment sensor that detects current environment parameters of
the exercise device's environment; and a communication module
connected to the input interface and the environment sensor that
communicates a control command to a home automation device that
regulates climate for at least the exercise device environment,
wherein upon receiving either an input from the input interface or
an indication from the environment sensor, one or more
environmental settings of the home automation device are adjusted
using the control command.
17. The exercise system of claim 16, wherein the communication
module further comprises a wireless network interface that
communicates with the home automation device wirelessly.
18. The exercise system of claim 16, wherein the integrated
exercise environment controller automatically controls the exercise
device environment as sensor data is received from the environment
sensor.
19. The exercise system of claim 16, further comprising a display
that displays status data regarding one or more aspects of home
automation including at least one of the following: home security,
home lighting and home appliance control.
20. A method for controlling an exercise device environment using
an integrated exercise environment controller communicatively
connected to a home automation system, the method comprising:
running an exercise program on an exercise device, wherein the
exercise program controls the one or more operating parameters of
the exercise device, and wherein the exercise program is initiated
via a user input mechanism on the exercise device; receiving at
least one of the following: user input indicating a desired change
in exercise device environment and environment sensor input
indicating one or more current workout parameters; generating a
control command based on at least one of the received user input
and the received environment sensor input; and transmitting the
generated control command from the integrated exercise environment
controller to the home automation system to control the exercise
device environment.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/621,119 filed Apr. 6, 2012.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to systems, methods, and
devices for exercise. More particularly, the disclosure relates to
an exercise environment controller which can be used to control the
environments surrounding an exercise device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Exercise devices are used all over the world. Individuals
use exercise devices to relieve stress, improve their health and
increase their fitness level. Many exercise devices are used when
an individual's schedule or inclement weather prohibits the
individual from exercising outdoors. Additionally, some exercise
devices, such as treadmills, are used to train for competitions.
For instance, distance runners often use treadmills to train for
upcoming races. Such training allows the individual to conveniently
monitor various aspects of their performance (e.g., pace, speed,
distance, time, etc.) during their training session as many
treadmills track and display such information. Additionally,
treadmills with adjustably inclining treadbases can also simulate
the terrain the user will experience during the upcoming race. As a
result, individuals do not have to train at the actual location of
an upcoming race to be familiar with the race course.
[0004] While treadmills can be useful in exercising and training
for a race, indoor training is often uncomfortably warm or cool.
For example, a cool room may be too cool when a user begins their
exercise, but then becomes too warm during their exercise.
Similarly, a warm room may start out being comfortable to the user,
but then, as the user exercises, the room becomes hot to the user.
These variances in temperature can have a negative impact on the
individual's exercise performance. For instance, it may be
difficult for an individual to maintain their pace and/or form when
the environment is uncomfortably warm or cool.
[0005] Various exercise device climate controllers have been
developed that allow for the adjustment of climate controls
relative to an exercise device environment. For instance, U.S.
Patent Publication No. 2009/0108082 discloses an apparatus for
controlling the climate of a localized exercise environment. The
apparatus is external to the exercise devices that are in the
exercise room. The external device can control heating, cooling,
humidity and air flow within the exercise room. Similarly, U.S.
Patent Publication 2009/0209393 discloses an external climate
controller that simulates the weather of a selected running route.
The controller can also control heaters, air conditioners and other
environmental control units. Other environment controllers that
allow for the adjustment of environment parameters are disclosed in
International PCT Application WO 2009/058637 A1, U.S. Pat. No.
6,152,856 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0065371.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one embodiment of the disclosure, an integrated exercise
environment controller is integrated into an exercise device and is
usable to adjust one or more environmental parameters relative to
an exercise device environment. The integrated exercise environment
controller includes an input interface that receives environmental
inputs from a user of the exercise device. The integrated exercise
environment controller also includes an environment sensor that
detects current environment parameters of the exercise device's
environment. A communication module is connected to the input
interface and the environment sensor and communicates a control
command to a home automation device that regulates climate for at
least the exercise device environment. Upon receiving either an
input from the input interface or an indication from the
environment sensor, one or more environmental settings of the home
automation device are adjusted using the control command.
[0007] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, an input interface of the integrated exercise
environment controller includes buttons that are selectively
activatable by the user.
[0008] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, input interface buttons allow the user to modify
environment parameters for the exercise device's environment
including air temperature.
[0009] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, an exercise device environment is located in a
household, the environment of which is regulated by the home
automation device.
[0010] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the integrated exercise environment controller
provides control over one or more environments in the household
that are different than the exercise device's environment.
[0011] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the communication module communicates with the home
automation device to control one or more heating or cooling
devices.
[0012] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the communication module communicates with the home
automation device to control one or more of the following: fans,
misters and central air circulation systems.
[0013] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the environment sensor determines current exercise
parameters including one or more of the following: user's heart
rate, user's body temperature, current pace of the exercise
machine, current incline of the exercise machine.
[0014] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the communication module further includes a network
interface that communicates with the home automation device via a
wired connection.
[0015] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the communication module further comprises a
wireless network interface that communicates with the home
automation device wirelessly.
[0016] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, a display is provided that displays commands
performable on the home automation device.
[0017] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, user input at the display causes the home
automation device to perform various tasks.
[0018] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the display further displays status data regarding
aspects of home automation including at least one of the following:
home security, home lighting and home appliance control.
[0019] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the communication module communicates with the home
automation device to control lighting in the exercise device
environment.
[0020] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, a storage module is provided to store user
profiles, wherein each profile includes user-specific exercise
environment settings.
[0021] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, an exercise system includes an exercise device and
an integrated exercise environment controller.
[0022] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, an exercise device includes a movable element that
is movable during the performance of exercise, the movable element
having one or more adjustable operating parameters.
[0023] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, an exercise device includes a receiver that
receives control commands related to one or more adjustable
operating parameters of a movable element.
[0024] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, an exercise device includes an actuator that causes
one or more adjustable operating parameters to be adjusted in
response to control commands received by a receiver.
[0025] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, an integrated exercise environment controller
includes an input interface that receives environmental inputs from
a user of the exercise device.
[0026] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, an integrated exercise environment controller
includes an environment sensor that detects current environment
parameters of the exercise device's environment.
[0027] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, an integrated exercise environment controller
includes a communication module connected to the input interface
and the environment sensor that communicates a control command to a
home automation device that regulates climate for at least the
exercise device environment, wherein upon receiving either an input
from the input interface or an indication from the environment
sensor, one or more environmental settings of the home automation
device are adjusted using the control command.
[0028] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the communication module further includes a
wireless network interface that communicates with the home
automation device wirelessly.
[0029] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the integrated exercise environment of the exercise
device controller automatically controls the exercise device
environment as sensor data is received from the environment
sensor.
[0030] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, the exercise device further includes a display that
displays status data regarding one or more aspects of home
automation including at least one of the following: home security,
home lighting and home appliance control.
[0031] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, a method for controlling a home automation system
using an integrated exercise environment controller includes
running an exercise program on an exercise device, wherein the
exercise program controls the one or more operating parameters of
the exercise device, and wherein the exercise program is initiated
via a user input mechanism on the exercise device.
[0032] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, a method for controlling a home automation system
using an integrated exercise environment controller includes
receiving at least one of the following: user input indicating a
desired change in exercise device environment and environment
sensor input indicating one or more current workout parameters.
[0033] In another aspect that may be combined with any of the
aspects herein, a method for controlling a home automation system
using an integrated exercise environment controller includes
transmitting a control command from the integrated exercise
environment controller to the home automation system to control the
exercise device environment based on at least one of the received
user input and the received environment sensor input.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise system according to one
example embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a side view of the exercise system of FIG. 1 with
an exerciser exercising therewith.
[0036] FIG. 3 is schematic diagram of the exercise system of FIG.
1.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the exercise system of FIG.
1 located within an exercise room of a household.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a process for
controlling an exercise device environment using a home automation
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods, and
devices for exercise. Depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a representation
of one illustrative exercise system 100, which may incorporate the
novel features of the present invention, including various novel
devices, functionalities, hardware and software modules, and the
like. As shown, exercise system 100 includes an exercise device 102
with an integrated exercise environment controller 101. In FIG. 2,
an exerciser is shown exercising on exercise device 102 that
implements the integrated exercise environment controller 101.
[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, exercise device 102 is
depicted as a treadmill and includes a console or control panel 106
having user input mechanisms 107 that may be used to control
various aspects of exercise device 102 and/or the exercise device's
environment. For instance, integrated exercise environment
controller 101 may communicate with a home automation device (131
in FIG. 4) to control the climate surrounding the exercise device
102. The integrated exercise environment controller 101 includes a
communication module 103 to communicate with the home automation
device 131. The integrated exercise environment controller 101
further includes a sensor 105 for determining the exercise device's
current environment.
[0041] Control panel 106 is illustrated as being supported on a
generally upright support structure 108. Upright support structure
108, in this illustrated embodiment, includes two side members 110,
112 connected to a base frame 114. Side members 110, 112 and base
frame 114 may have various configurations and may be fabricated
from various materials so long as they are capable of supporting
control panel 106.
[0042] A treadbase 116 is connected to support structure 108 and
typically includes front and rear pulleys 118, 120 with a
continuous belt 122 extending between and around front and rear
pulleys 118, 120, respectively. Treadbase 116, front and rear
pulleys 118, 120, and continuous belt 122 may be considered,
individually or collectively, as movable elements that are movable
during the performance of an exercise. A deck 124 typically
supports the upper run of belt 122 and an exercising individual
positioned upon belt 122.
[0043] As is common with electric treadmills, at least one of front
pulley 118 and rear pulley 120 may be mechanically connected to an
actuator, such as an electric belt drive motor 126. In the
illustrated embodiment, belt drive motor 126 turns front or rear
pulley 118, 120 in order to rotate belt 122. Belt drive motor 126
is electrically connected to a controller 128 that controls the
operation of belt drive motor 126, and thus the speed of belt 122,
in response to various inputs. The speed of belt 122 is one example
of an adjustable operating parameter of exercise device 100.
[0044] Controller 128 can be incorporated within treadbase 116,
control panel 106, or another portion of exercise device 100.
Controller 128 may take the form of a computer, a processor, a
microprocessor, a microcontroller, state machine or other similar
device that includes circuitry for controlling the operation of one
or more features on exercise device 100, including the operating
parameter(s) of the movable element(s). As will be discussed in
greater detail below, controller 128 may also perform other
functions, such as receiving and implementing control commands.
[0045] In addition to the ability to control and vary the speed of
belt 122, exercise device 102 may also allow the exerciser to
control the exercise device's environment (e.g. an exercise room
121, FIG. 4). For instance, buttons 109 and 111 may allow the
exerciser to increase or decrease the air temperature in the
exercise room 121. The integrated exercise environment controller's
sensor 105 senses the current temperature of the room 121. If the
room is too warm, for example, the communication module 103 of the
integrated exercise environment controller 101 indicates to the
home automation device 131 that the exercise room 121 is to be
cooled. Conversely, if the room is too cool, the communication
module 103 of the integrated exercise environment controller 101
indicates to the home automation device 131 that the exercise room
121 is to be warmed up.
[0046] The integrated exercise environment controller 101 may also
communicate other environment changes to the home automation device
131. For instance, the integrated exercise environment controller
101 may indicate that fans, misters or other climate-controlling
devices are to be operated by the home automation device 131. Thus,
as shown in FIG. 2, fan 113 (which can be external to the exercise
device 102 or built-in to the exercise device) may be controlled by
the integrated exercise environment controller 101 through
communication with the home automation device 131. The integrated
exercise environment controller 101 indicates to the home
automation device that the fan is to be turned on, or that the fan
speed level is to be adjusted up or down. The home automation
device then communicates to the fan via a communications interface
117 that the fan is to be turned on/off or that the fan level is to
be adjusted.
[0047] Similarly, the mister 115 may be controlled by the
integrated exercise environment controller 101. The mister 115 may
be a standalone device, it may be integrated into the fan (as shown
in FIG. 2) or it may be built into the exercise device 102. The
mister may be turned on, turned off or the spray level may be
adjusted by the integrated exercise environment controller 101
through communication with the home automation device 131. The home
automation device 131 may use the household's built-in air
conditioning and heating system 123 in addition to fans, misters or
other climate controlling devices. The home automation device 131
may control a heating device to heat the air that is pushed into
the exercise room 121 via vent 119. The home automation device 131
may also control an air conditioner to cool the air that is pushed
into the exercise room 121 via vent 119.
[0048] Thus, the environment changing capabilities of exercise
device 102 provide exercise system 100 with additional operating
parameters that may be adjusted to vary the climate or "exercise
environment" of the exercise device. The altering of the climate
may be accomplished by a wide variety of heating, cooling and other
devices. The environmental changes may occur as the result of a
direct user input at input mechanisms 107. For example, a user may
use button 111 to decrease the temperature of the room via use of
the fan 113, use of the mister 115 and/or use of cool air forced
through the vent 119. When the user has completed his or her
workout, he or she may use button 109 to increase the temperature
of the room by turning off the fan 113, turning off the mister 115
and/or increasing the temperature of the air coming out of the vent
119.
[0049] Additionally or alternatively, the environmental changes may
occur as an automated reaction to detecting that the user has
initiated, ended or altered his or her exercise. The integrated
exercise environment controller 101 may detect that the exerciser
has initiated a workout, has ended a workout, or has increased or
decreased the intensity of the workout. The integrated exercise
environment controller 101 may detect the change in state and
automatically change the environment according to predefined
settings (e.g. decrease room temperature as workout intensity
increases) or according to user-defined settings. The integrated
exercise environment controller 101 may also detect changes in a
user's heart rate, the user's body temperature, current pace of the
exercise machine, current incline of the exercise machine or other
measured or sensed parameters. The integrated exercise environment
controller 101 may then communicate with the home automation device
131 to alter the exercise environment accordingly.
[0050] Still further, the environmental changes may occur as an
automated reaction to changes in a pre-set exercise program. The
integrated exercise environment controller 101 may determine that
the exerciser has initiated a predefined or pre-set exercise
program and that, as part of the program, the intensity of the
exercise will increase or decrease. For instance, the integrated
exercise environment controller may determine that the user is
"running intervals" or is otherwise exercising according to an
interval workout. The integrated exercise environment controller
101 may then communicate with the home automation device 131 to
alter the exercise environment accordingly as the user progresses
through the interval workout (e.g. increase fan speed, decrease
room temperature, initiate misters, etc. during an interval and
perform the opposite when the interval has ended). Similar
adjustments in room climate may be made for hill workouts, cardio
workouts, endurance workouts or any other type of predefined or
pre-set workouts selectable on the exercise device 102.
[0051] With continued attention to FIGS. 1 and 2, attention is now
directed to FIG. 3, which illustrates a block diagram of system
100. As shown in FIG. 3, integrated exercise environment controller
101 includes a processor 125 that is in communication with
communications module 103 and sensor 105. Upon receiving input from
user input mechanism 107, or upon receiving input from sensor 105,
the processor may use the communications module 103 to communicate
with home automation device 131. The communications module 103 may
communicate control commands to the home automation device 131 via
a wired or wireless connection between exercise device 102 and home
automation device 131. A wireless connection between exercise
device 102 and home automation device 131 may be any type of
wireless connection, including Bluetooth, infrared (IR), radio
frequency (RF), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), and the like.
Accordingly, communications module 103 may include a Bluetooth,
infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), or
other type of wireless transmitter or receiver. Home automation
device 131 also includes a wired or wireless transceiver of any of
the above types which receives data from and transmits data to the
integrated exercise environment controller 101 of exercise device
102.
[0052] Upon receiving control data from the communications module
103 of the integrated exercise environment controller 101, the home
automation device 131 then generates unique commands or forwards
the received commands to the appropriate climate-controlling
devices. For instance, the home automation device 131 may send
control commands to fan 113, mister 115 and/or central air heating
and cooling system 123. The home automation device may also control
other climate controlling devices or other types of devices that
are not listed on FIG. 3. Still further, the home automation device
131 may communicate commands or other information back to the
exercise device 102. For instance, the home automation device 131
may indicate home security status updates to the exercise device
(e.g. indicating that someone is at the front door, or that a
window has been opened, etc.). Accordingly, the integrated exercise
environment controller 101 and the home automation device 131 may
be in substantially constant communication with each other and each
device may control the other and/or provide status updates to the
other.
[0053] Attention is now directed to FIG. 5, which illustrates a
flow diagram of an exemplary method 140 that may be implemented to
control an exercise device environment using an integrated exercise
environment controller communicatively connected to a home
automation system. Method 140 may begin with step 142 in which an
exercise program is run on an exercise device, such as exercise
device 102. The exercise program may include one or more control
commands that adjust the operating parameters of the exercise
device. For instance, the exercise program may periodically adjust
the resistance, incline, or speed of the exercise device and/or the
movable elements of the exercise device to vary the intensity of
the exerciser's workout or to simulate a real world course.
Alternatively, the exercise program may simply be the initial
exercise device settings selected by the exerciser. The running of
the exercise program may be initiated via one or more of the user
input mechanisms 107 on the exercise device 102.
[0054] Method 140 may also include (at step 144) receiving at least
one of the following: user input indicating a desired change in
exercise device environment and environment sensor input indicating
one or more current workout parameters. The user inputs may relate
to one or more desired adjustments to be made to the environment of
the exercise device. For instance, the user inputs may relate to a
desired increase or decrease in the temperature of the room 121 in
which the exercise device 102 is currently placed. The environment
sensor inputs may provide various workout parameters including the
temperature of the exercise room 121, the humidity level of the
exercise room, the air speed of any blowing fans (e.g. 113), the
spray level of any spraying misters (e.g. 115), the exerciser's
current heart rate, the exerciser's current body temperature or
other parameters relating to the user's workout.
[0055] In step 146, control commands may be generated in response
to the user inputs and/or the received environment sensor input.
The control command may be representative of the user input
received at the input mechanisms 107 or sensed parameters
determined by sensor 103 or other parameters communicated by the
integrated exercise environment controller. As such, the commands
may be representative of the desired adjustments to be made to the
operating parameters of the exercise environment.
[0056] After generation, the control commands are transmitted from
the integrated exercise environment controller 101 to the home
automation device 131, as indicated in step 148. As noted elsewhere
herein, the control commands may be communicated from the
integrated exercise environment controller 101 to the home
automation device via a wired or wireless connection therebetween.
In step 150, the control commands are received by the home
automation device.
[0057] After the home automation device has received the control
commands, the home automation device may optionally process the
control commands in step 152. Finally, the home automation device
may adjust the climate of the exercise environment in response to
the user and/or sensor inputs received at the integrated exercise
environment controller in order to reflect the desired changes in
the exercise environment in step 154.
[0058] Attention is now directed to back to FIG. 4. Exercise device
102 may be placed in an exercise room 121 within a household 130.
Many functions of the household may be controlled by the home
automation device 131. For instance, the home automation device may
control a home security system including cameras, door and window
sensors and other security features. The home automation device 131
may also control appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines
and dishwashers (among others). Still further, the home automation
device 131 may control interior and exterior lighting.
[0059] In addition to the above, the home automation device 131 may
also control heating and cooling for the household. The heating and
cooling may be controlled on a whole-house level, on a
floor-by-floor level, or on a room-by-room level. In cases where
the heating and cooling is controlled on a room-by-room level, the
home automation device may regulate or change the temperature in
exercise room 121 by controlling the household's heating and air
conditioning system 123. Still further, the home automation device
131 may control (via wired or wireless communication) individual
heating and cooling apparatuses including fan 113 and mister 115.
The home automation device 131 controls these devices according to
control commands received from the integrated exercise environment
controller 101. Accordingly, the integrated exercise environment
controller 101 of exercise device 102 may communicate with the home
automation device 131 to control the exercise device's
environment.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0060] In general, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to
exercise systems, devices, and methods that enable an exerciser to
control an exercise device's environment using a home automation
device. The systems, devices, and methods of the present disclosure
allow an exerciser to adjust the environment parameters of an
exercise environment using a home automation device that controls
household climate.
[0061] When exercising on an exercise device, an exerciser may
desire to adjust one or more environment parameters of the exercise
environment in order to exercise more effectively. For instance,
the exerciser may want to decrease the temperature of the exercise
environment in order to avoid overheating while exercising. In
other situations, the exerciser may want to increase the
temperature, such as after the exerciser has completed his or her
workout.
[0062] The systems and devices disclosed herein enable an exerciser
to adjust environmental parameters of an exercise environment using
an integrated exercise environment controller that is
communicatively connected to a home automation device. The
integrated exercise environment controller receives user input
indicating which environmental parameters are to be changed for the
exercise room. Moreover, the integrated exercise environment
controller may receive sensor inputs indicating which environmental
parameters are to be changed. In such cases, the integrated
exercise environment controller may communicate with the home
automation device to automatically control the exercise device's
environment based on parameters detected by the sensor.
[0063] Manually changing climate controlling devices may be very
tedious during a workout. For example, when an exerciser is running
on a treadmill, it can be difficult to reach a nearby fan or mister
and press the desired buttons in order to achieve the desired
cooling effects. Moreover, manually changing a household
temperature each time the user exercises may be very cumbersome,
and the temperature will not change as the user exercises.
[0064] In contrast to manually changing settings on a cooling or
heating device, or manually changing settings on a home automation
device, a user may simply begin exercising and allow the integrated
exercise environment controller to control the exercise environment
automatically. The user may begin exercising and the sensor(s) of
the integrated exercise environment controller detect that the user
has initiated a workout. The integrated exercise environment
controller can then communicate with the home automation device to
indicate that the climate of the exercise room is to be cooled. The
home automation may then send control signals to one or more
different cooling devices including fans, misters and a central air
conditioning system to begin cooling the exercise room. As the user
works out and increases the speed of the workout, increases the
incline of the exercise device, increases in body temperature
and/or in heart rate, the integrated exercise environment
controller can communicate with the home automation device to
automatically cool the exercise room accordingly (either at a
pre-defined rate or at a rate that corresponds to exercise
intensity or user body temperature/heart rate). As such, the
temperature of the user's exercise room may be dynamically adjusted
while the user works out.
[0065] Thus, the user does not need to think about whether to heat
or cool the exercise room--these commands are generated
automatically by the integrated exercise environment controller.
Because the exercise environment controller is integrated into the
exercise device, the user can directly interface with the home
automation device using the exercise device's display. Thus, the
display can show not only the user's workout data, but also data
from the home automation device. The exercise device display may
show home automation data including home security data (camera
data, window and door data, online status information, etc.), home
lighting (in some cases, allowing the user to control interior or
exterior lighting from the display) and home appliance control (in
some cases, allowing the user to control appliance functions from
the display). Accordingly, the exercise device's display may
provide an interface into the home automation device, which then
allows the user to control features provided by the home automation
device directly from the exercise device.
[0066] Users may thus simply begin a workout and allow the
integrated exercise environment controller and home automation
device to work in tandem to produce a desirable workout
environment. The user may be able to fine tune the temperature or
other environment parameters manually if desired. For instance,
some users may prefer to have higher or lower fan speed. Similarly,
some users may prefer to have more or less mist spraying from a
mister. Accordingly, the integrated exercise environment controller
may include memory to store user profile data. The user's profile
data may indicate such climate control settings. These climate
control settings may then be used when an identified user is using
the exercise device.
[0067] While embodiments of the invention have been described in
the context of a motorized treadmill, it is understood that the
invention is not limited to any particular type of exercise device.
Accordingly, the term "exercise device" 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. These various types of
exercise devices may include interfaces that allow users to modify
the climate of the exercise environment. Moreover, each of these
types of exercise device may include an integrated exercise
environment controller which can automatically regulate the climate
of that device's exercise environment.
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