U.S. patent application number 15/587225 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-09 for exercise machine and user interface for exercise machine.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nautilus, Inc.. Invention is credited to Todd D. Anderson, Kristin A. Beadle, Benjamin A. Browning, Julia F. Eschman, Jeffrey A. Gettle, Robert W. Jacobson, Elena M. Sherman, Joshua S. Smith, Gregg A. Wilson.
Application Number | 20170319941 15/587225 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58709623 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170319941 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Joshua S. ; et
al. |
November 9, 2017 |
EXERCISE MACHINE AND USER INTERFACE FOR EXERCISE MACHINE
Abstract
An exercise machine may include a tower enclosing, at least in
part, a cable and pulley system, a base supporting the tower on a
surface, and a plurality of handles operatively coupled to the
cable and pulley system and configured to extend from the tower.
The exercise machine may include a resistance motor operatively
coupled to the cable and pulley system. The resistance motor may
include a fan and a flywheel connected to a common shaft. The
exercise machine may be operatively associated with a user
interface which includes an exercise display area configured to
activate one or more exercise indicators in a predetermined
sequence and a control area including at least one mode control
operable to change the sequence of activation of the one or more
exercise indicators. The user interface may be provided on a
console of the exercise machine.
Inventors: |
Smith; Joshua S.; (Portland,
OR) ; Anderson; Todd D.; (Vancouver, WA) ;
Browning; Benjamin A.; (Vancouver, WA) ; Wilson;
Gregg A.; (Vancouver, WA) ; Jacobson; Robert W.;
(Camas, WA) ; Eschman; Julia F.; (Vancouver,
WA) ; Beadle; Kristin A.; (Portland, OR) ;
Sherman; Elena M.; (Portland, OR) ; Gettle; Jeffrey
A.; (Portland, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nautilus, Inc. |
Vancouver |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58709623 |
Appl. No.: |
15/587225 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62331617 |
May 4, 2016 |
|
|
|
62374633 |
Aug 12, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/153 20130101;
A63B 2071/0694 20130101; A63B 21/06 20130101; A63B 2071/0658
20130101; A63B 21/00047 20130101; A63B 2208/0204 20130101; A63B
21/0088 20130101; A63B 2225/682 20130101; A63B 2225/687 20130101;
A63B 21/154 20130101; A63B 21/0628 20151001; A63B 2071/0081
20130101; A63B 2071/0663 20130101; A63B 22/02 20130101; A63B 21/225
20130101; A63B 71/0686 20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B
21/0051 20130101; A63B 2225/685 20130101; A63B 71/0622 20130101;
A63B 21/4037 20151001; A63B 21/0552 20130101; A63B 22/0285
20130101; A63B 24/0075 20130101; A63B 24/0087 20130101; A63B
71/0054 20130101; A63B 21/157 20130101; A63B 2230/06 20130101; A63B
2024/0015 20130101; A63B 21/0052 20130101; A63B 24/0003
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/06 20060101
A63B071/06; A63B 21/055 20060101 A63B021/055; A63B 71/06 20060101
A63B071/06; A63B 21/005 20060101 A63B021/005; A63B 21/22 20060101
A63B021/22; A63B 21/00 20060101 A63B021/00; A63B 21/06 20060101
A63B021/06; A63B 24/00 20060101 A63B024/00; A63B 71/00 20060101
A63B071/00 |
Claims
1. An exercise system including a user interface for an exercise
machine, the user interface comprising: an exercise display area
configured to display an exercise sequence by activating one or
more exercise indicators of a plurality of exercise indicators in a
predetermined sequence; and a control area comprising at least one
mode control operable to change a sequence of activation of the one
or more exercise indicators.
2. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the exercise display
area comprises a plurality of lights, each of which correspond to
an exercise indicator of the plurality of exercise indicators.
3. The exercise system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of lights
comprises at least two uniquely colored lights, each uniquely
colored light associated with a same type of exercise.
4. The exercise system of claim 2, wherein the exercise display
area comprises an array of lights arranged in m rows and n
columns.
5. The exercise system of claim 4, wherein the exercise display
area comprises a same number of rows and columns of lights.
6. The exercise system of claim 4, wherein the lights in each row
have a same color.
7. The exercise system of claim 4, wherein the lights in each
column have a different color.
8. The exercise system of claim 4, wherein the user interface is
configured, responsive to a selection of a first mode, to activate
all of the lights in one row before activating any lights in
another row.
9. The exercise system of claim 4, wherein the user interface is
configured, responsive to a selection of a second mode, to activate
all of the lights in one column before activating any lights in
another column.
10. The exercise system of claim 4, wherein the user interface is
configured to activate all of the lights in one row followed by
less than all of the lights in another row responsive to a
selection of a third mode.
11. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is
configured to activate the plurality of exercise indicators in
accordance with a plurality of predetermined sequences, each of
which is configured to continue for a predetermined period of
time.
12. The exercise system of claim 11, wherein all of the sequences
of the plurality of predetermined sequences are configured to
continue for a same period of time.
13. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the user interface
further comprises a pause control configured to temporarily suspend
the sequence.
14. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the user interface
further comprises a timer configured to provide an indication of
time associated with an exercise or a group of exercises, an
indication of a rest period following the exercise or the group of
exercises, or both.
15. The exercise system of claim 14, wherein the timer is a first
timer configured to provide the indication of time associated with
an exercise or a group of exercises, the user interface further
comprising a second timer configured to provide the indication of
the rest period following the exercise or the group of
exercises.
16. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is
configured to activate one or more exercise indicators in
accordance with a first sequence responsive to a selection of one
of a plurality of modes, the user interface further configured to
disengage the exercise display area responsive to a selection of
another of a plurality of modes.
17. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is
associated with an exercise machine comprising a tower enclosing,
at least partially, a cable and pulley system.
18. The exercise system of claim 17, further comprising the
exercise machine, wherein the exercise machine further comprises a
resistance motor operatively coupled to the cable and pulley
system.
19. The exercise system of claim 18, wherein the exercise machine
is configured to change a resistance provided by the resistance
motor responsive to input received via the user interface.
20. The exercise system of claim 18, wherein the resistance motor
comprises a fan and a flywheel driven by a common shaft.
21. The exercise system of claim 20, wherein the user interface
further comprises a resistance control configured to select a level
of resistance provided by the flywheel.
22. The exercise system of claim 17, further comprising the
exercise machine, and wherein the user interface is provided on a
console of the exercise machine.
23. The exercise system of claim 17, further comprising the
exercise machine, and wherein the exercise display area, the
control area, or both are located on the tower.
24. The exercise system of claim 17, further comprising the
exercise machine, and wherein the user interface is provided, at
least partially, on a console movably connected to the tower.
25. The exercise system of claim 1, further comprising: an exercise
machine comprising: a cable and pulley system; a resistance motor
operatively engaged with the cable and pulley system; and a
wireless communication interface for communicatively coupling the
exercise machine to a portable computing device; and non-transitory
computer readable medium comprising executable instructions for
providing the user interface on the portable computing device.
26. The exercise system of claim 17, further comprising the
exercise machine, and wherein the exercise machine includes a media
holder configured to secure a media device to the tower, wherein
the media holder comprises a support structure, a track associated
with the support structure, and a slider movably connected to the
support structure via the track, wherein the slider is adjustable
to multiple positions along a length of the track, and wherein the
slider is configured to remain at any of the multiple positions by
frictional force between the slider and the track.
27. The exercise machine of claim 26, wherein the tower includes a
storage compartment, and wherein the support structure comprises a
back support member movably coupled to the tower to cover and
uncover an opening of the storage compartment.
28. The exercise machine of claim 26, wherein the media holder is
configurable in a first configuration for securing an electronic
media device to the exercise machine and in a second configuration
for securing a printed media to the exercise machine.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC
119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/331,617 filed May
4, 2016 and entitled "EXERCISE MACHINE AND USER INTERFACE FOR
EXERCISE MACHINE," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/374,633 filed Aug. 12, 2016 and entitled "EXERCISE MACHINE AND
USER INTERFACE FOR EXERCISE MACHINE," which are hereby incorporated
by reference herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Various fitness devices, such as exercise machines, exist to
enable a user to perform a variety of fitness exercises. Often, a
user may require a large number of fitness devices to perform a
complete workout, which may be cost prohibitive for example in a
home setting. In a fitness facility setting, where a variety of
fitness devices are typically be available, the user may
nonetheless need to engage in planning of his or her workout in
advance or during the workout. Advance planning of the sequence of
exercises or equipment that the user may need to use can be
burdensome and may discourage the user from even beginning a
workout. Often, while performing a workout in a fitness facility, a
user may need to adjust their workout to accommodate other users
that may be using a particular exercise machine, which may reduce
the overall efficiency of the user's workout and or may be
distracting and/or frustrating for the user. It may therefore be
desirable to provide an exercise machine which improves the user
experience.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The description will be more fully understood with reference
to the following figures in which components may not be drawn to
scale, which are presented as various embodiments of the exercise
machine described herein and should not be construed as a complete
depiction of the scope of the exercise machine.
[0004] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exercise machine.
[0005] FIG. 2 is another illustration of the exercise machine in
FIG. 1 showing some of the internal components of the machine.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a cable and pulley
system for an exercise machine such as the machine in FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a user interface for an
exercise machine such as the machine in FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 5A is a block diagram of an exercise system according
to one embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 5B is an illustration of a user interface for an
exercise machine according to one embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 6 is illustration of an exercise display area of the
user interface in FIG. 5B showing a sequence for exercise
indicators in accordance with a first exercise mode.
[0011] FIG. 7 is illustration of the exercise display area of the
user interface in FIG. 5B showing a sequence for exercise
indicators in accordance with a second exercise mode.
[0012] FIG. 8 is illustration of the exercise display area of the
user interface in FIG. 5B showing a sequence for exercise
indicators in accordance with a third exercise mode.
[0013] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a user interface for an
exercise machine according to another embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a user interface for an
exercise machine according to another embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 11 is a user flow diagram for a user interface in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 12 is an illustration of user interface elements
associated with a setup process according to one embodiment.
[0017] FIGS. 13A and 13B are illustrations of user interface
elements associated with a program selection process according to
one embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 14 is an illustration of user interface elements at
different times during an exercise program according to one
embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 15 is an illustration of user interface elements
associated with a manual program according to one embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 16 is an illustration of user interface elements
associated with a pause state of an exercise program.
[0021] FIG. 17 is a front view of an exercise machine according to
an embodiment.
[0022] FIGS. 18A and 18B are partial isometric views of the
exercise machine in FIG. 17 showing a medial holder in accordance
with some examples of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 19 is another partial isometric view of the exercise
machine in FIG. 17.
[0024] FIGS. 20A and 20B are views of a component of the medial
holder in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view along the line
21-21 in FIG. 18A.
[0026] FIG. 22 is another isometric view of the exercise machine in
FIG. 17.
[0027] FIG. 23 is an isometric view of a slat.
[0028] FIG. 24A is a partial cross sectional view of the exercise
machine in FIG. 17.
[0029] FIG. 24B is an enlarged view of a portion of the exercise
machine indicated by line 24B-24B in FIG. 24A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The present disclosure relates generally to exercise
machines, and more specifically to exercise machines with cable and
pulley systems. An exercise machine according to the present
disclosure may optionally include a configurable user
interface.
[0031] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exercise machine 100 in
accordance with the present disclosure and FIG. 3 shows a schematic
representation of a cable and pulley system for an exercise
machine, such as exercise machine 100. The various components shown
in FIGS. 1-3 are merely illustrative, and other variations,
including eliminating components, combining components, rearranging
components, and substituting components are all contemplated.
[0032] The exercise machine 100 may include a plurality of handles
110, each of which is operably connected to a frame 102 and
operatively engaged with a resistance assembly 130 (also referred
to herein as resistance motor or resistance engine). The frame 102
may include a tower 104 and a base, each of which may at least
partially enclose a cable and pulley system 120. The tower 104 may
form a housing structure to shield a user from many of the moving
parts of the cable and pulley system 120, and may be generally
perpendicular to the base 106. The base 106 may be positioned
adjacent to and extend from the tower 104. In some examples, the
base 106 may, at least partially, extend below and support the
tower 106. The base 106 may be configured to support a user during
use of the exercise machine 100. A user may stand on or proximate
to the base 106 when using the exercise machine 100. The exercise
machine 100 may be operatively associated with a user interface
180, which may be provided on a console 108. The console 108 may be
part of the tower 104 or may be provided elsewhere on or proximate
to the frame 102. In some examples, the user interface 180 may be
provided elsewhere in proximity to the exercise machine 100, for
example on a display movably or immovably attached to the frame 102
or a display separate from the frame 102. In some examples, the
user interface 180 or components thereof may be provided on the
user's mobile device.
[0033] The plurality of handles 110 may be operatively associated
with the resistance assembly 130 via the cable and pulley system
120. The plurality of handles 110 may include upper handles (e.g.,
upper right handle 112-1 and upper left handle 112-2), middle
handles (e.g., middle right handle 114-1 and middle left handle
114-2), and lower handles (e.g., lower right handle 116-1 and lower
left handle 116-2). The terms upper, middle and lower are used to
refer to a relative vertical position of the handles. The term
middle is meant only to imply that the handles 114-1 and 114-2 are
at an intermediate location between the upper and lower handles but
not necessarily at a midpoint between the upper and lower handles.
In some embodiments, fewer or greater number of handles, and
different relative handle locations, may be included.
[0034] With specific reference to FIG. 2, each of the handles 110
may be connected to one of a plurality of cables 121, which are
routed using pulleys 123 through the resistance assembly 130 to a
biasing assembly 140. The biasing assembly may be configured to
bias the handles 110 toward their respective retracted positions
such as to enable the handles to return to their retracted
positions in the absence of the application of force (e.g., a pull
force by the user as would be typical during exercise). One or more
of the handles (e.g., upper and middle handles) may project from
arms 118 extending from the tower 104. One or more of the handles
(e.g., lower handles) may project from the base 106. In some
examples, some or all of the handles may project directly from the
frame 102, e.g., through apertures in the tower and/or base.
[0035] The resistance assembly 130 may be configured to provide
selectable and/or variable resistance to a pulling force applied
via the handles 110. For example, the resistance assembly 130 may
be rotatably coupled to the pulley and cable system 120, e.g., via
a shaft 118, and may be configured to vary the resistance to
rotation of the shaft 118. In some examples, the resistance
assembly 130 may include a first resistance assembly 132 and a
second resistance assembly 134 which may be coupled to a common
shaft (e.g., shaft 118).
[0036] The first resistance assembly 132 may be operable to vary
the amount of resistance to rotation responsive to user input
(e.g., a selected resistance level). In this regard, the first
resistance assembly 132 may also be referred to as adjustable
resistance assembly. The adjustable resistance assembly may be
implemented using one or more DC motors, a single weight or mass, a
weight stack, an eddy-current brake, a fan, resilient elastomeric
element(s), or combinations thereof. The resistance provided by the
adjustable resistance assembly may be adjustable manually (e.g.,
responsive to user input such as via a user control of the user
interface 180) or automatically (e.g., responsive to a resistance
setting in a user profile). In some examples, the
automatically-adjustable feature may be disabled via a setting in a
user profile. In the illustrated example, the adjustable resistance
assembly 132 is implemented using a flywheel 133 and a brake 135
(e.g., eddy-current brake) operatively coupled to the flywheel 132
to vary the resistance to rotation of the flywheel 133. An eddy
current brake may be implemented using conventional techniques for
example using one or more magnets movably coupled to the flywheel
to adjust the position of the magnet(s) with respect to the
flywheel and thereby vary the magnetic force between the magnet(s)
and flywheel and thereby vary the amount of resistance to rotation
of the flywheel. Other types of brakes or resistive elements may be
used. The flywheel 133 may be coupled to the shaft 118 such that
the flywheel 133 rotates responsive to rotation of the shaft 118.
In some examples, the flywheel 133 may be connected directly to the
shaft 118 and may rotate synchronously with the shaft 118. In other
examples, a transmission assembly may be used to adjust the speed
and/or torque of the first resistance assembly 132. The first
resistance assembly 132 may be configured to provide resistance at
any rotational speed (e.g., relatively lower and relatively higher
RPMs) of the shaft 118. The first resistance assembly 132 may be
configured to provide a same level of resistance (e.g., based on a
selected resistance level) regardless of the rotational speed of
the shaft.
[0037] In some examples, the second resistance assembly 134 may be
a passive resistance assembly in that the amount of resistance is
not selectable by the user. The resistance provided by the second
resistance assembly 134 may depend only on the amount of force
(e.g., pulling force) applied by the user. In some examples, the
second resistance assembly 134 may be configured to provide a
different amount of resistance as a function of the rotational
speed of the shaft 118. That is, the second resistance assembly 134
may provide a higher amount of resistance at higher RPMs of the
shaft 118, and may thus be also referred to as non-linear
resistance assembly. The second resistance assembly 134 may be
implemented using a fan 136 connected to the shaft 118. The fan 136
may include a plurality of blades 138 which may provide an
increasing amount of resistance to rotation as the rotational speed
of the shaft 118 increases. In yet further examples, the resistance
provided by the second resistance assembly 134 may be adjustable
(e.g., selectable by the user).
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 3, the upper right handle 112-1 is
attached to one end 123-1 of a first right cable 122-1 and the
middle right handle 114-1 is attached to the opposite end 125-1 of
cable 122-1. The cable 122-1 is routed through a one of a first
pair of right floating pulleys 142-1. The lower right handle 116-1
is attached to one end 127-1 of a second right cable 124-1 which is
routed through the other of the first pair of right floating
pulleys 142-1. The cable 124-1 passes through the resistance
assembly 130 and its opposite end 129-2 is anchored.
[0039] In a similar manner, the upper left handle 112-2 is attached
to one end 123-2 of a first left cable 122-2 and the middle left
handle 114-2 is attached to the opposite end 125-2 of cable 122-2.
The cable 122-2 is routed through a one of a first pair of left
floating pulleys 142-2. The lower right handle 116-2 is attached to
one end 127-2 of a second left cable 124-2 which is routed through
the other of the first pair of left floating pulleys 142-2. The
cable 124-2 passes through the resistance assembly 130 and its
opposite end 129-2 is anchored.
[0040] The right and left cables 124-1, 124-2 respectively are
connected to a biasing assembly 140 which includes one or more
biasing members configured to bias or tension the cable towards a
retracted position of the handles. In the illustrated example, the
biasing assembly 140 includes a biasing member 126, the ends of
which are anchored (e.g., attached to a fixed frame such as the
frame 102 of the exercise machine). The biasing member 126 is
connected to the second right cable 124-1 via a second pair of
right floating pulleys 144-1 and to the second left cable 124-2 via
a second pair of left floating pulleys 144-2. The biasing member
126 may be an axially extendable member such as a bungee cord or
other resilient member. When the user pulls on any of the handles,
the biasing member 126 may stretch to allow the handle to extend
away from the frame. When the force is reduced and/or handle
released, the resilience of an axially extendable basing member 126
may act to retract the handle towards the frame. The floating
pulleys 144-1 and 44-2 will move away from the anchor points of the
biasing member 126. The biasing member 126 may thereby be operable
to apply a biasing or tensioning force to the cables 121. The
biasing or tensioning force may act to remove slack in the cables
and/or to return the cables to their retracted position in the
absence of user applied pulling force. In other examples, a
plurality of axially extendable members or different types of
biasing members (e.g., one or more coil springs) may be used. In
yet further examples, the biasing member 126 may not be axially
extendable. The biasing member 126 may be routed through a central
pulley positioned between the floating pulleys 144-1 and 44-2, and
the central pulley may be movably coupled to the frame 102 to allow
the central pulley to move with one or more of the floating pulleys
when the user pulls on the handles. A biasing force may be applied
to the central pulley (e.g., via a spring connected to the central
pulley) to return the pulley and handles to a neutral (i.e.,
retracted) position. The term cable as used herein is meant to
include any type of easily bendable material (e.g., a member that
can transmit an axial load but not compressive loads) such as a
cable, a rope, a wire, a strap, a chain, or others.
[0041] As described, the flywheel and the fan may be on a common
shaft and may thus be operable to rotate simultaneously and/or
synchronously. In the illustrated example, the cables 124-1 and
124-2 pass through the resistance assembly 130 and operatively
engage the first resistance assembly (e.g., flywheel 133) and the
second resistance assembly (e.g., fan 136). The cables 124-1 and
124-2 may engage the shaft 118 of the resistance assembly 130 using
respective first and second one-way clutch assemblies 138-1 and
138-2. Each of the one-way clutch assemblies includes a cable
engagement member and a clutch. The cable engagement member is
frictionally engaged with the respective cable (e.g., the 124-1 or
the 124-2 cable) and the clutch is operatively coupled to the shaft
118. Each one-way clutch assembly is configured to engage its
clutch to rotate the shaft 118 when the cable is rotating the cable
engagement member in one direction (e.g., a pull direction) and to
disengage the clutch when the cable is rotating the cable
engagement member in the opposite direction (e.g., a return
direction). In this manner, while the cables and handles are
returning to their retracted position (e.g., responsive to biasing
force from the biasing assembly), the clutch engagement members of
the one-way clutch assembly may spin freely (i.e., without engaging
the shaft to rotate the shaft) thereby reducing the resistance to
rotation in the return direction.
[0042] The exercise machine 100 may be utilized by a user to
perform a variety of exercises, for example by grasping one or more
of the handles 110 and applying a pulling force. Depending on the
combination of handles that the user grasps, the user's orientation
relative to the machine and the direction of the application of
pulling force, the user may be able to exercise many muscle groups
with a single machine such as the exercise machine 100. The
exercise machine 100 may thus be used to perform a full or
substantially full work-out in which a user exercises multiple
muscle groups. The exercise machine 100 may be configured to guide
the user through a full or substantially full work-out, which may
improve the user experience by reducing the user's effort in
determining which exercises to perform and the sequence to perform
them. To that end, the exercise machine 100 may be operatively
associated with a user interface, examples of which will be
described with reference to the remaining figures.
[0043] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an exercise system 1000
which includes a user interface 400 for an exercise machine. The
various components shown in FIG. 4 are merely illustrative, and
other variations, including eliminating components, combining
components, rearranging components, and substituting components are
all contemplated. The user interface 400 may be associated with a
processor and memory (not shown) which may be provided in the
exercise machine or in a computing device operatively coupled
(e.g., communicatively coupled) to the exercise machine. The memory
(e.g., non-volatile memory such as Flash memory), may store
executable instructions for programming the processor to perform
functions associated with the user interface. For example, the
processor may perform functions such as controlling the activation
of exercise indicators. The processor may cause user data (e.g.,
weight, age, calories burned, total work, and total time worked) to
be stored in the memory and/or displayed via the user interface.
The user interface 400 may be used to implement the user interface
180 of exercise machine 100.
[0044] The user interface 400 may include a plurality of exercise
indicators 410, which may be provided in an exercise display area
402. The exercise display area 402 may be configured to display an
exercise sequence by activating one or more of the exercise
indicators 410 in a predetermined sequence, as will be further
described. The plurality of exercise indicators 410 may include two
or more unique exercise indicators, e.g., a first unique exercise
indicator 412, a second unique exercise indicator 414, and so on.
Each unique exercise indicator 412, 414 may be associated with or
correspond to a different type of exercise. The activation of a
given unique exercise indicator provides instruction to the user to
perform the particular exercise with which the given unique
exercise indicator is associated with. In this manner, the
sequential activation of exercise indicators may display a sequence
of instructions to the user which corresponds to an exercise
sequence that may be performed by the user.
[0045] The plurality of exercise indicators 410 may be implemented
using a plurality of differently colored lights, or a plurality of
patterns of lights. Differently colored lights may be obtained
using differently colored LEDs or other types of light sources, or
using color overlays over white LEDs or other types of light
sources. In such examples, the term activating implies continuous
or periodic illumination of a light source (or pattern of light
sources) associated with a specific exercise indicator. In some
example, the differently colored lights may be implemented using
individual or groups of pixels of a display unit (e.g., an LCD,
OLED display). In some examples, each exercise indicator may be
implemented using a single colored light (e.g., a colored LED or
white LED with a color overlay). Unique exercise indicator may
provide a unique color of light while exercise indicators
associated with a same type of exercise may provide a same color of
light. In other examples, each unique exercise indicator may be
implemented using a unique pattern of lights (e.g., a unique
pattern or single or multi-colored LED). In some examples, the
pattern of lights may provide a visual representation of the
exercise to be performed. In some examples, the exercise indicators
may be implemented as visual representations of the corresponding
exercises which are displayed on a display device (e.g., an LCD,
OLED, or another currently known or later developed display) in
accordance with the selected sequence.
[0046] In some examples, the exercise indicators 410 may be
different from a representation of the associated exercise. That
is, the exercise indicators 410 in and of themselves may be
insufficient to inform the user which exercise to perform. In such
cases, an instruction unit may be associated with the exercise
system 1000. For example, the instruction unit may include an
instruction manual (see e.g., 101 in FIG. 1) which may be provided
with the exercise system 1000. The instruction unit (e.g.,
instruction manual) may inform the user of the particular exercises
that are associated with each unique exercise indicator. The user
may memorize these associations or may refer to the instruction
unit when using the exercise system. In some examples, the user
interface 400 may be provided with an auxiliary display area 404
which may provide a representation (e.g., a visual representation,
text and/or audible instructions) of the exercise that is
associated with a given exercise indicator. In some examples, the
auxiliary display area 404 may provide the representation in real
time, e.g., simultaneously with the activation of the exercise
indicator. In some examples, the auxiliary display 404 may be
configured to provide a preview of a selected sequence before
initiation the sequence. The preview may be an abbreviated
representation of the sequence that may display each exercise only
briefly and/or without inclusion of the rest periods between
successive exercises.
[0047] The user interface 400 may be configured to receive an
indication of one or more user inputs responsive to operation of
user interface control elements (also referred to as user
controls). The user controls may be implemented using mechanical
controls (e.g., knobs, pushbuttons, and switches) or touch
sensitive controls (e.g., resistive or capacitive touch sensors or
switches). Whether using mechanical or soft controls, the term
button may be used herein to refer to a user control which allows
the user to trigger an event, such as and without limitation making
and/or confirming a selection, triggering an execution of a
function, selecting one of a plurality of selectable options such
as by pressing the button more than once or by pressing and holding
the button for a time to scroll through the selectable options.
Similarly, and irrespective of whether using mechanical or soft
controls, the term dial may be used to refer to a user control that
enables a user to select one of a plurality of settings, such as by
turning the dial to increase or decrease the resistance, the
volume, or other settings. The functionality of a dial may, in some
examples, be implemented using a button which is configured to
enable a selection of one of a plurality of selectable options such
as by pressing the button more than once or pressing and holding
the button to scroll through the selectable options. In some
examples, a user control may be implemented in the form of a dial
button, which may provide the combined functionalities of a dial
and a button such as to allow a user to turn the dial to select one
of a plurality of settings and/or to press the dial to make and/or
confirm a selection, whether related or unrelated to the selected
setting. In some examples, one or more user controls of the user
interface 400 may be implemented on a single touch sensitive
display (e.g., touchscreen). The operation of user controls may
enable the user to configure the user interface (e.g., input
user-specific parameters such as weight, age, etc., or select an
exercise mode) and/or to control operation of the user interface
and/or the exercise machine.
[0048] For example, the user interface 400 may be operable to
engage any one or a plurality of modes, one or more of which may be
associated with a predetermined sequence of exercises. In this
regard, the user interface 400 may include one or more mode
controls 406 for selecting one of the plurality of modes. In some
examples, the mode control 406 may be implemented using one or more
buttons, which may be referred to as program buttons. In some
example, the mode control 406 may be implemented using a dial which
may be configured to enable the user to select any of the plurality
of modes by turning the dial between a plurality of predetermined
settings. The mode control 406 and/or other user controls may be
provided in a control area 417 (e.g., a control panel) of the user
interface. In some example, one or more of the user controls may be
provided elsewhere in the user interface. The mode control 406 may
be operable to change the sequence of activation of one or more of
the exercise indicators 410. Responsive to a selection of one of
the modes and/or the activation of the sequence (e.g., using a
start button), the exercise display area 404 may be configured to
sequentially activate each of the exercise indicators of the
sequence in the order corresponding to the sequence. In this
manner, the user interface is operable to provide a sequence of
instructions to the user which corresponds to an exercise sequence
that may be performed by the user. In some examples, the control
area 417 may include a plurality of individual mode controls, each
associated with a respective one of the plurality of sequences. In
some examples, each of the predetermined sequence of exercises may
be selectable using a single mode control, for example by
depressing it multiple times or for example using a toggle switch,
with each side of the toggle switch corresponding to one of the
plurality of modes.
[0049] The user interface 400 may be configured to display
information such as biometric information (e.g., weight, heart
rate, etc.), workout metrics associated with a workout in-progress
or a completed workout (e.g., total time worked, total calories
burned, total power, max or average resistance, etc.), one or more
timers (e.g., work and rest timers), and any other information as
may be desired. The user interface 400 may be configured to provide
this information in an information display area 407 (e.g., info
panel) or elsewhere in the user interface. For example, the user
interface 400 may include a timer 408 which may be provided in the
information display area 407 or elsewhere in the user interface
400. The timer 408 may be configured to provide an indication of
time remaining or time elapsed in a given workout segment and/or a
time associated with a rest or break period. The timer 408 may be
configured to provide an indication of time for an exercise or
group of exercises corresponding to an active exercise indicator or
group of exercise indicators. The timer 408 may alternatively or
additionally be configured to provide an indication of a rest
period following an exercise or group of exercises corresponding to
an active exercise indicator or group of exercise indicators. In
some examples, the timer 408 may be configured to provide
indication of time associated with different rest periods such as
rest periods of different type or different length. In some
examples, a single timer may be configured to display time
associated with different types of workout segments (e.g., work,
rest, and break) and the single timer may change to provide a
visual indication of the type of workout segment with which the
time displayed is associated. This may reduce the amount of
physical space utilized by the UI. In some examples, the
functionality of the timer 408 may be implemented using a plurality
of separate user interface elements (e.g., separate timers for each
of the workout segments).
[0050] The user interface 400 may include one or more additional
display elements (e.g., elements 411, 413, 415), which may include
one or more biometric indicators, workout metric indicators,
auxiliary information indicators, and others. These additional
display elements may be configured to provide additional
information, such as biometric information (e.g., weight, height,
gender, and heart rate), workout metrics (e.g., running total of
calories burned, exercise time, a maximum resistance, and an
average resistance) and/or additional information such as
instructions, program and/or machine status information, to the
user.
[0051] FIG. 5A shows an embodiment of an exercise system 1000 which
may include a user interface in accordance with the present
disclosure. Exercise system 1000 includes user interface 500, a
processor 610 operatively connected to user interface 500 such as
to control operations of user interface 500, and memory 620
communicatively coupled to processor 610. The memory may store user
data 624 (e.g., information associated with one or more user
profiles, workout metrics, biometrics, and the like), and
executable instructions 626. The instructions 626 may include
processor-executable instructions for configuring the user
interface in accordance with the examples herein and/or for
controlling operation of the user interface. For example the
executable instructions 626 may include instructions for activating
the exercise indicators in accordance with a sequence. The exercise
system 1000 may be configured to receive, via the user interface
500, user inputs such as selection of a user profile and a workout
program and to provide, via the user interface 500, output such as
exercise guidance, displaying of information and/or instructions
for operating the user interface and/or the exercise machine.
[0052] FIG. 5B shows an embodiment of a user interface 500 for an
exercise machine, such as exercise machine 100. The various
components shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B are merely illustrative and
other variations, including eliminating components, combining
components, rearranging components, and substituting components,
are all contemplated. Certain aspects of the user interface 500 may
be purely functional, serve both functional and ornamental purpose,
or may be purely ornamental.
[0053] The user interface 500 may be used to implement the user
interface 180 of exercise machine 100. The user interface 500 or
components thereof may be used to implement the user interface 400
or components thereof and such components may be indicated using
similar reference numbers. For example, the user interface 500 may
include a plurality of exercise indicators 510, which may be
provided in a display area 502, as well as a timer 508, which may
be provided in an information display area 507, and a plurality of
user controls (e.g. mode controls 506), which may be provided in a
control area 517. The exercise indicators 510 may be used to
implement the exercise indicators 410 of the user interface 400.
The timer 508 and mode control 506 may be used to implement the
timer 408 and mode control 406, respectively, of the user interface
400. The user interface 500 may be configured to guide a user of an
exercise machine (e.g., exercise machine 100) through a sequence of
exercises. The user interface 500 may be configured to guide the
user through any one of a plurality of predetermined sequences of
exercises responsive to a selection of an exercise mode, also
referred to simply as mode, program, or workout program (e.g.,
sprint, circuit, and builder mode or program).
[0054] A sequence of exercises may be divided into exercise
segments (e.g., repetitions and sets). A repetition may involve a
same exercise. A single exercise indicator 510 of the user
interface 500 may correspond with the instruction to perform the
same exercise for a period of time during which the exercise
indicator remains active. Thus, a single exercise indicator may be
associated with a single repetition. In some examples, a single
repetition may involve performing the same exercise (e.g., pulling
on both upper handles, performing a squat, a squat jump, a chest
press, a bent row, a lunge, a triceps extension, a bicep curl, a
deadlift, or virtually any other exercise with or without holding
and/or pulling on one or more of the handles) multiple times during
the predetermined period of time, also referred to as repetition
time. Thus, an individual exercise indicator may function to
indicate not only the exercise to be performed during a given
repetition but also the repetition time association with that
exercise. The duration during which an exercise indicator is active
may correspond with the repetition time. Exercise segments may be
grouped into a workout segment, which for illustrative purposes may
be referred to as work period. That is, a set of exercises which
are associated with a work period may include a grouping of
exercises that are performed consecutively, for example without a
rest period. The duration of time in a work period may be indicated
by the work timer. In some examples, a set may include a plurality
of repetitions of a same exercise without a rest period between the
repetitions. In some examples, a set may include repetitions of
different exercises. One or more repetitions or one or more sets
may be grouped into a workout round, which may be separated from
other rounds by a break period. A break period may be of different
duration, for example longer, than a rest period. The combination
and duration of repetitions in a set and the repetitions and/or
sets in a round as well as the rest or break periods between may be
determined by the selected mode (e.g., responsive to a selection
via the mode selector 506). For example, in one mode, the sequence
may include four rounds, each separated by a break period of a
predetermined duration (e.g., 60 seconds). Each of the four rounds
may include four sets, each of which includes a single repetition
of two different exercises, the sets separated by a rest period of
a predetermined duration (e.g., 10 seconds). The work period for
each of the four sets may also be of a predetermined duration
(e.g., 20 seconds) with each repetition being half of that
predetermined duration (e.g., 10 seconds). Different sequences may
be used, additional examples of which will be described further
below.
[0055] Each of the predetermined sequences may be configured to
continue for a predetermined period of total time (e.g., 15
minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes, or any other shorter or longer
period of time), also referred to as sequence time. In some
examples, the sequence times of each of the predetermined sequences
may be the same. That is, in some examples, the duration of time
which includes all of the repetition times and all of the rest
times may be the same regardless of the selected sequence of
exercises. In some examples the sequence times of different
pre-programmed sequences may differ. In some examples, the user
interface may be configured such that the sequence time of any of
the pre-programmed sequences is less than a threshold maximum time,
for example 25 minute, 30 minutes, 38 minutes, 40 minutes, or
other. As described, a sequence of exercises may include one or
more sets of exercises. In some examples, a sequence may include
one or more first rest periods each having a first duration and one
or more second rest periods each having a second duration, which
may be different from or the same as the first duration. In some
examples, the second rest period may be longer than the first rest
period. In some examples, a first rest period may follow a set of
exercises, and the second rest period may follow a group of sets
(e.g., two or more sets of exercises).
[0056] The exercise indicators 510 in the example illustrated in
FIG. 5B are implemented using a plurality of lights (e.g., an array
505 of lights 522). For example, the exercise display area 502 may
be implemented using an LED panel which includes a plurality of
LEDs, two or more of which may be capable of illuminating in a
different color. In some examples, differently colored LEDs may be
used. In other examples, white LEDs with color silk screen overlay
may be used. Other implementations may also be used. The lights 522
are arranged in m number of rows and n number of columns. In the
illustrated example, the lights 522 are arranged in 8 rows by 8
columns. In other examples, a different number of rows and/or a
different number of columns may be used. In some examples, the
lights 522 may be arranged in different patterns other than a
two-dimensional array, such as a triangular, circular, or
trapezoidal pattern or an irregular pattern. The numbering for the
rows and columns shown in FIG. 5B is provided for illustration. In
some examples, numbering of the rows and columns (e.g., 1-8) and/or
groups of rows (e.g., sets S1, S2, S3, S4) or columns may not be
included in the user interface. In other examples, additional or
different numbering or other form of identification, such as
letters or symbols, may be provided.
[0057] Individual lights 522 in the array 505 correspond to
individual exercise indicators 510. The array 505 includes at least
two unique exercise indicators (e.g., two uniquely colored lights),
and each unique exercise indicator may be associated with a
different exercise. Some of the exercise indicators may be the same
or similar (e.g., same color lights) and same or similar exercise
indicators may be associated with the same exercise. Thus, when
activating the exercise indicators, a change from one exercise
indicator to a different unique exercise indicator instructs the
user to change the exercise which is being performed, while
activation of another same exercise indicator instructs the user to
continue to perform the same exercise. In the illustrated example,
the lights 522 in any given row have the same color and are
associated with the same exercise. Each row includes multiple
exercise indicators (e.g., lights 522) corresponding to multiple
repetitions of the same exercise. In some examples, the user
interface 500 may be configured to instruct the user to perform
multiple or all repetitions of the same exercise consecutively
and/or without a rest period (e.g., by sequentially activing all of
the lights in a given row without a rest period) before proceeding
to the next exercise. In some examples, the user interface 500 may
be configured to instruct the user to perform all of the
repetitions associated with multiple rows consecutively and/or
without a rest period. In this regard, the lights in any given row
or groups of rows may be said to correspond with a set (e.g., S1,
S2, S3, and S4).
[0058] The lights 522 in any given column have different colors and
may thus be associated with different exercises. In some examples,
the user interface 500 may be configured to instruct the user to
perform a sequence of exercises including a single repetition of
different exercises consecutively and/or without a rest period,
e.g., by sequentially activating a single light from each row
moving down the columns before proceeding to a next column). In
this manner, the user interface 500 may be operable to guide the
user through a number of different sequences of exercises by
activating lights in different patterns.
[0059] In some examples, the user interface 500 may be configured
to wirelessly connect to another computing device, such as via any
known wireless communication protocol (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,
ZigBee, etc.). The user interface 500 may be provided with one or
more status indicators. For example, the user interface 500 may
include a connectivity status indicator, which may activate when
the user interface 500 is wirelessly connected to or configured to
wirelessly pair with another computing device such as the user's
smart phone, smart watch, or the like. In one example, the
connectivity status indicator may be provided by a Bluetooth icon
and/or an LED proximate a Bluetooth graphical element. The
Bluetooth icon and/or LED may illuminate to indicate Bluetooth
connectivity status. In some examples, the connectivity status
indicator may illuminate differently to indicate different states
(e.g., continuously illuminated to indicate paired, flashing to
indicate available for pairing or in the process of pairing). In
other examples, the user interface 500 may include two or more
status indicators for different types of wireless communication
devices that may be available.
[0060] The user interface 500 may include one or more user controls
and may be operable to engage one of a plurality of exercise modes
(e.g., four modes as in the example in FIG. 5B). As described, the
user controls may be implemented using any combination of
mechanical and/or soft controls. In the illustrated example, each
of the plurality of modes is selectable via a respective mode
control (e.g., program buttons 506-1 through 506-4). One or more of
the mode controls 506 may be associated with a predetermined
sequence of activation of the exercise indicators (e.g., lights
522). In the illustrated example, the user interface includes a
first program button 506-1 associated with a first exercise
sequence (e.g., sprint program), a second program button 506-2
associated with a second exercise sequence (e.g., circuit program),
and a third program button 506-3 associated with a third exercise
sequence (e.g., builder program), each of which may differ from one
another. For example, selecting the first program button 506-1 may
cause the exercise indicators 510 to activate in accordance with
the first exercise sequence, selecting the second program button
506-2 may cause the exercise indicators 510 to activate in
accordance with the second exercise sequence, and so on. In some
examples, the plurality of modes may include a manual mode in which
the display area may not provide guidance and the user may instead
perform any desired sequence of exercises. To that end, the user
interface 500 may include a MANUAL program button 506-4. Selection
of the MANUAL program button 506-4 may deactivate the display area
or may display a pattern of lights in the display area for purely
ornamental purpose. In some examples, whether or not guidance is
provided via the user interface 500, the user interface 500 may not
otherwise inhibit the use of the exercise machine in any manner
desired (e.g., to perform different exercises than those indicated
by the exercise indicators).
[0061] The user interface 500 may include one or more timers 508,
each of which may be associated with a different type of workout
segment (e.g., a rest timer associated with a rest period, a break
timer associated with a break period, and a work timer associated
with a work period. The timer(s) 508 may be configured to provide
an indication of the time elapsed or remaining for the respective
exercise segment, such as the time elapsed or remaining for an
exercise or group of exercises corresponding to an active exercise
indicator or group of exercise indicators (e.g., work timer) or
time elapsed or remaining for a rest period following a work period
(e.g., rest timer, break timer). One or more of the timer(s) 508
may be configured to count down (e.g., to show a remaining time
within a period) or to count up (e.g., to show a running total of
elapsed time in a period). For example, the work timer may be
configured to count up the period of time elapsed during an
exercise segment, also referred to as work period. The rest time,
the break timer, or both may be configured to count down a
remaining time within a rest period. In some examples, the time
count directions for any of the timers may be reversed. In some
examples, the break timer may be configured to provide an
indication of a manual rest period activated responsive to
operation of a user control (e.g., pause/stop button 523), for
example by counting up elapsed time following the operation of the
user control (e.g., pause/stop button 523).
[0062] In some examples, two or more timers may be implemented in
substantially the same physical space within the user interface
(UI) and may share UI components. For example, in the illustrated
example in FIG. 5B, each of the rest, break and work timers occupy
substantially the same physical space in the UI 500 and use the
same alphanumeric display element for displaying the time
associated with each timer. Each timer may include a timer type
indicator 519 configured to provide a visual indication of the
timer that is currently active. In the example in FIG. 5B, the
timer type indicator 519 is provided by a selectively illuminating
track at a perimeter of the timer 508 in combination with
selectively illuminating label corresponding to the type of
exercise segment. When the timer 508 displays time associated with
a work segment, one of the tracks at the perimeter of the timer 508
and the WORK label may illuminate to provide an indication of the
timer that is active. When the timer 508 displays time associated
with a rest or break segment, other ones of the tracks at the
perimeter of the timer 508 and the REST or BREAK label,
respectively, may illuminate to provide an indication of the timer
that is active. The tracks may illuminate in different colors
(e.g., green for work, orange for rest, red for break, or other
combinations) or they may illuminate in the same color (e.g., all
tracks may illuminate in white or any other color).
[0063] Operations of the user interface 500 will be described
further with reference now also to FIGS. 6-8. FIG. 6 illustrates a
sequence for activation of one or more of the lights 522 in the
array 505 in accordance with a first example, e.g., responsive to a
selection of a first mode such as via the first mode control 506-1.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate sequences for activation of one or more of
the lights 522 in the array 505 in accordance with additional
examples, e.g., responsive to a selection of a second and third
mode, respectively, such as via the second and third mode controls
506-2 and 506-3, respectively. The sequences shown in FIGS. 6-8 are
merely illustrative, and other variations, such as rearranging the
sequences or eliminating, adding, or substituting elements of
sequences are all contemplated. As described, the sequence may be
configured, e.g., by selecting a duration of each repetition,
number of repetitions, and rest periods, such that the sequence may
be performed within a predetermined period of time (e.g., sequence
time). In some examples, the sequence times may be preprogrammed
into the exercise system 1000, e.g., by a manufacturer of the
exercise system. In some examples, one or more of the
pre-programmed sequences may be updated or additional sequences may
be added in the field, such as by loading an updated sequence into
the memory of the exercise system. In some examples, the sequence
time may be user configurable and the exercise system may be
operable to adjust the combination of duration and/or number of
repetitions and rest periods to accommodate the user selected
sequence time. The user interface 500 may improve the user
experience, by assisting the user to perform a complete workout in
a predetermined period of time with minimal distractions or
planning as may result from having to think about or plan which
exercise to perform or how many repetitions of an exercise to
perform.
[0064] In some examples, a sequence may begin by illuminating a
plurality of lights in the array 505. For example, all lights
corresponding to the exercises in a given sequence or part of a
sequence may be illuminated prior to the start of the sequence and
individual lights may be turned Off as exercises are completed in a
countdown manner. Activation of a particular exercise indicator
(e.g., light 522) may involve the periodic illumination (i.e.,
blinking) of the light 522 to inform the user which exercise the
user should be performing. The exercise indicator (e.g., light 522)
may remain active (e.g., blinking) for a predetermined duration of
time to indicate the duration of time that the user should be
performing that exercise. In some example, the sequence may instead
begin with all lights being turned Off and upon start of the
sequence, individual lights may be illuminated in accordance with
the sequence. Lights corresponding to exercise segments (e.g., a
repetition or a set) that have been completed may remain On or be
turned Off upon completion of that exercise segment.
[0065] In some examples, the user interface 500 may be configured,
e.g., responsive to a selection of a first mode, to activate all of
the lights in one row before activating any lights in a next row.
For example, and referring to FIG. 6, a first sequence may involve
the activation of lights 522 along rows of the array 505. That is,
all lights in a first row (e.g., m1) may be sequentially activated
first before any of the lights in a second row (e.g., m2) are
activated. Similarly, all lights in a second row (e.g., m2) may be
sequentially activated before any lights in a third row (e.g., m3)
are activated, and so on. In some examples, the sequential
activation of lights along rows need not start with the first row
nor does it need to continue through all of the rows in the array,
for example to accommodate shorter sequence times. In some
examples, the activation of lights may begin at the second, third,
or any other row or it may terminate before reaching the last row.
As described, all of the lights in each row may have the same color
and may thus correspond with the same exercise. Thus, a user may be
guided through a sequence in which he or she performs multiple
repetitions of the same exercise before proceeding to another
exercise.
[0066] In some examples, the sequence may include one or more rest
periods. For example, the user interface 500 may be configured to
sequentially activate all of the lights in one row followed by a
rest period before continuing to the next row. In some examples,
the user interface 500 may be configured to sequentially activate
all of the lights in multiples rows before initiating of a rest
period. In yet further examples, the user interface 500 may be
configured to initiate a first rest period having a shorter
duration following the sequential activation of one row and to
initiate a second rest period having a longer duration following
the sequential activation of a second row in a set (e.g., S1).
During an exercise segment, the work timer may be operative to
indicate a running total of all of the repetitions in the segment.
At the completion of the segment, the rest timer may be operative
to indicate a remaining time in a rest period. The lights which
have already been activated in a given sequence may remain
illuminated or may be turned off upon the completion of the
exercise segment (e.g., during the indication of rest period and/or
during activation of lights of a subsequent exercise segment). This
pattern may be repeated for some or all of the remaining sets
(e.g., S2-S4) to complete the sequence. At any time during the
sequence, the user interface 500 may be configured to temporarily
suspend the sequence responsive to an indication of a manual rest
period such as may be received via operation of a user control
(e.g., pause/stop button 523). During the sequence, the user
interface 500 may be configured to display, for example in an
information display area 507 of the user interface 500, certain
information including but not limited to biometric information. The
user interface 500 may include a plurality of display elements
(e.g., display elements 511 and 515-1 through 515-4), one or more
of which may be configured to display information such as biometric
information, workout metrics, messages, prompts, instructions, or
other information. In some examples, the display elements may be
provided via one or more alphanumeric LED panels. In some examples,
the display elements may be provided via one or more LCD displays.
Other display technology may be used.
[0067] In some examples, the user interface 500 may be configured,
e.g., responsive to a selection of a second mode, to activate all
of the lights in one column before activating lights in a next
column. For example, and referring to FIG. 7, a second sequence may
involve the activation of lights 522 along columns of the array
505. That is, all lights in a first column (e.g., n1) may be
sequentially activated first before any of the lights in a second
column (e.g., n2) are activated. Similarly, all lights in a second
column (e.g., n2) may be sequentially activated before any lights
in a third column (e.g., n3) are activated, and so on. In some
examples, the sequential activation of lights along columns need
not start with the first column nor does it need to continue
through all of the columns in the array, for example to accommodate
shorter sequence times. In some examples, the activation of lights
may begin at the second, third, or any other column or it may
terminate before reaching the last column. As described, individual
lights in a column may be differently colored and thus correspond
with different exercises. Thus, a user may be guided through a
sequence in which the user performs one repetition of each exercise
before proceeding with a second repletion of the first
exercise.
[0068] As with the example in FIG. 6, the sequence in FIG. 7 may
include one or more rest periods. For example, the user interface
500 may be configured to initiate (e.g., by activating a rest
timer) a first rest period after the sequential activation of all
of the lights in a given column. In some examples, the user
interface 500 may be configured to initiate another rest period of
different duration that the first rest period (e.g., by activating
a break timer) after activating all of the lights in multiple
consecutive columns sequentially without any rest period
therebetween. In yet further examples, the user interface 500 may
be configured to initiate a rest period only after activating of
all of the lights in multiple consecutive columns sequentially
without any rest period therebetween. In some examples, the
successive rest periods in a sequence may vary in duration. For
example, successive rest periods may increase in duration, decrease
in duration, or may first increase then decrease in duration before
the end of the sequence. The pattern illustrated in FIG. 7 may be
repeated for some or all of the columns in the array 505.
[0069] In some examples, the user interface 500 may be configured
to activate all of the lights in one row followed by less than all
of the lights in a next row, e.g., responsive to a selection of a
third mode. For example, and referring to FIG. 8, a third sequence
may involve the activation of lights 522 along a triangular
pattern, in this case defined by rows of the array 505. In other
examples, the triangular pattern may be defined by columns of the
array.
[0070] In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, all lights in a first
row (e.g., m1) may be sequentially activated first before any of
the lights in a second column (e.g., m2) are activated. Following
the activation of lights in a given row, the same number of lights
minus one is activated in a next row. This pattern is repeated
until the last row of the sequence is reached, which in some
examples may be the last row of the array. As with the other
examples, the user interface 500 may be configured to initiate a
rest period after the activation of all lights in a row or in
multiple consecutive rows.
[0071] Referring back to FIG. 5B, the exercise system 1000 may
include an exercise machine, (e.g., exercise machine 100), which
include a cable a pulley system and a resistance motor (e.g.,
resistance assembly 130). The user interface 500 may be operatively
associated with the exercise machine, e.g., provided on a console
108 of the exercise machine, and may guide the user through a
sequence of exercises. The user interface 500 may include a
plurality of unique exercise indicators (a plurality of differently
colored lights 522). Individual ones of the unique exercise
indicators may be associated with a particular type of exercise
(e.g., pulling down both upper handles together, pulling down a
single upper handle, pulling one or both lower handles, pulling on
an upper and a lower handle together in cross-body manner, etc.).
The activation of any given unique indicator may instruct the user
to perform that particular exercise.
[0072] The user interface 500 may be configured to receive user
input for changing the resistance provided by the resistance motor,
e.g., responsive to operation of a resistance control 520 of the
user interface 500. The resistance control 520 may be implemented
using a mechanical control (e.g., a knob, a dial) or soft control
(e.g., a touch sensitive switch), or combinations thereof. In the
illustrated example in FIG. 5B, the resistance control 520 is
implemented using a dial button, which provides functionality both
for selecting a resistance level by turning the dial and making or
confirming a selection by pressing the dial. The resistance control
520 may be interchangeably referred to as resistance dial 520. The
resistance provided by resistance motor 130 may be varied
responsive to the user input, for example by adjusting a position
of an eddy current brake 135 associated with flywheel 133.
[0073] The user interface 500 may include additional user controls,
such as a user button 516, a start button 525, a pause/stop button
523, an add time button 527, a volume button 529, and others. The
user button 516 may be operable to select a preloaded user profile
and/or make changes to a user profile, which may include a default
resistance level, a default mode, and/or additional user
information such as weight, age, and gender, that may be used by
the exercise system 1000 to generate workout metrics (e.g., total
work done, total calories burned, etc.). The start button 525 may
be operable to initiate a selected sequence and/or re-start a
paused sequence. The volume button 529 may be operable to control a
volume of a speaker, which may be configured to provide audible
instructions or other audible sounds such as single, double, or
multiple-tone feedback to indicate a start, a rest, a break, or
generally any change in the workout sequence).
[0074] The add time button 527 may be operable to add additional
time to an exercise sequence, for example by adding one or more
additional repetitions, sets, and/or rounds to the sequence. In
some examples, the type and/or number of exercise segments that are
added responsive to pressing the add time button may be based on
the selected exercise mode. For example, pressing the add button
may add one round of the selected mode and/or one or more rest
periods as may be appropriate. In some examples, the type and/or
number of exercise segments that are added responsive to pressing
the add time button may be controlled by the number and/or manner
in which the add time button is operated. For example, pressing the
add button once may add a single repetition, pressing the add
button twice may add a set, and pressing the add button three times
(or pressing and holding the add button) may add a round. Other
combinations for controlling the add button functionality may be
used. In this manner, the add time button 527 may be operable to
increase, responsive to user input, the duration of an exercise
sequence beyond the pre-programmed sequence time. The add time
button 527 may be operable to add time before or during a workout
and the user interface may be configured to provide a visual
indication of the total adjusted sequence time (i.e.,
pre-programmed sequence time plus additional sequence time
corresponding to the added segments).
[0075] Before, during, and after a workout, one or more of the user
interface elements (e.g., user controls, display elements, exercise
indicators) may be illuminated or otherwise activated to indicate
that the interface element is active or enabled for user operation.
One or more of the user controls may be provided in a control area
517 (e.g., control panel) of the user interface 500. In some
examples the exercise display area 502, the information display
area 507, and the control area 517 may all be provided on a single
panel (e.g., console 108 or a display unit associated with exercise
machine 100). In some examples, any of the exercise display area
502, the information display area 507, and the control area 517 may
all be provided on separate panels (e.g., separate consoles or
displays operatively associated with exercise machine 100). In some
examples, the one or more panels that include components of user
interface 500 may be movably connected to the exercise machine 100
(e.g., via an articulating arm extending from the frame 102). In
yet further examples, components of the user interface 500 may be
implemented on a mobile device 1020, such as a mobile phone, a
smart phone, a tablet, a smart watch, or another portable computing
device, e.g., as shown in FIG. 10.
[0076] Referring now to FIG. 9, a user interface 900 in accordance
with another embodiment is described. The user interface 900 may
include one or more of the components of the user interfaces 400,
500 and similar components may be indicated using similar reference
numbers. For example, the user interface 900 may include a
plurality of exercise indicators 910. The exercise indicators 910
are implemented using multi-colored lights 922 arranged in an array
905 having 8 rows and 8 columns. The user interface 900 is operable
to activate one or more of the exercise indicators 910 in
accordance with a predetermined sequence to guide a user through a
sequence of exercises. The user interface 900 may include user
controls such as mode controls 906 (e.g., FIT, LEAN, POWER, and
MANUAL buttons 906-1 through 906-4, respectively), a resistance
control 920, user button 916, volume 929, start button 925 and
pause/stop button 923. A user may select a mode via one of the mode
selectors 906 and the user interface 900 may activate the one or
more of the exercise indicators 910 (e.g., lights 922) in
accordance with the selected sequence. The various components shown
in FIG. 9 are merely illustrative, and other variations, including
eliminating components, combining components, rearranging
components, and substituting components are all contemplated
[0077] A user interface in accordance with the present disclosure
(e.g., user interface 500 or 900) may be configured to activate one
or more exercise indicators in accordance with a variety of
sequences, such as described herein. Non-limiting examples of
sequences according to further examples are described below.
Example 1
[0078] An example sequence, which may be associated with a first
selected mode, starts by illuminating at least one full row of
lights, and in some examples all rows, in the array. Individual
lights are sequentially activated (by flashing or blinking) from
left to right for a period of time (e.g., repetition time) after
which a flashing light is turned off. The repetition time may be 20
seconds. A work timer counts the repetition time down to zero. When
the work timer reaches zero, the flashing light is turned off and
the work timer is turned off, while a rest time turns on and begins
to count a rest period down to zero. The rest period may be 10
seconds. When the rest period reaches zero, the next light in the
same row of lights is activated (e.g., begins flashing) and the
work timer begins to count down another period of time (e.g.,
repletion time), which may also be 20 seconds. When the work timer
reaches zero, the flashing light is turned off and the rest timer
is again turned on for another rest period, which may also be 10
seconds. This is repeated for all 8 lights in the first row. After
the last light in the first row is turned off, all lights in the
first row would have been deactivated and instead of a rest period,
a break timer turns on, which counts a break period (up or down).
The break period may be 30 seconds. After the break period has
elapsed, the first light in the second row is activated (e.g.,
begins flashing) and the work timer begins to count down another
repletion time, which may again be 20 seconds. The same pattern is
repeated for the entire second row, at the completion of which a
break timer is again activated to count another break period, which
may again be 30 seconds. After the last light in the second row has
been turned off, all of the lights in both the first and second row
will remain off. The sequence will end after all of the lights in
the array have been turned off. This exemplary sequence may be
completed in less than 35 minutes, accounting for all repetition
times and all rest and break periods.
Example 2
[0079] Another example sequence, which may be associated with a
first selected mode, starts by illuminating at least one full row
of lights, and in some examples all rows, in the array. Individual
lights are sequentially activated (by flashing or blinking) from
left to right for a period of time (e.g., repetition time) after
which the flashing light is turned off. The repetition time may be
10 seconds. A work timer counts the repetition time down to zero.
When the work timer reaches zero, the flashing light is turned off,
the counter resets for a new repetition (which may also be 10
seconds) and the next light in the same row begins to flash. When
the work timer again reaches zero, this second flashing light is
turned off, the counter resets again for the next repetition (which
may also be 10 seconds) and the next light in the same row begins
to flash. This is repeated for all lights in the same row. When the
work timer for the last light in the row reaches zero the last
light in the row is turned off and a rest timer is activated and
counts down a rest period, which may be 20 seconds. After the rest
period ends, the first light in the second row begins to flash and
the work timer begins to count down a new repetition time, which
may again be 10 seconds. The same pattern as described for the
first row is repeated for the second row, with each of the eight
lights sequentially flashing for 10 seconds each. And the counter
counting down the work time associated with each light.
Alternatively, the counter may count up or down the total time for
a row of lights without resetting between repetitions. At the
completion of the second row (e.g., end of set S1), another rest
period, in some cases a longer rest period of 30 seconds is
initiated. A break timer may count the period of 30 seconds down
and during this time no lights are flashing. When the break timer
reaches zero, the break timer turns off and a new work timer begins
to count a new repetition associated with the first light of the
next row (e.g., third row). The third and fourth rows of lights are
activated in this manner with a shorter rest period of 20 seconds
between the lights in the third and fourth rows and a break period
of 30 seconds is initiated upon the completion of the second set
S2. This pattern of light activation and rest periods is repeated
for all four sets and the sequence ends at the completion of fourth
set S4, at which time all lights would be turned off. This sequence
may be completed in less than 15 minutes, assuming the user does
not activate a manual rest period during the sequence. The total
work time of any given sequence may be displayed via the user
interface.
Example 3
[0080] An example sequence, which may be associated with a second
selected mode, starts by illuminating at least one full column of
lights, and in some examples all columns, in the array. Individual
lights are sequentially activated (by flashing or blinking) from
top to bottom for a period of time (e.g., repetition time) after
which a flashing light is turned off. The repetition time may be 20
seconds. A work timer counts the repetition time down to zero. When
the work timer reaches zero, the flashing light is turned off, the
work timer is reset to the start of a new repetition time (e.g., 20
seconds) and the next light down along the column is activated
(e.g., begins flashing) for the duration of the repetition time.
This is repeated for all lights in a single column. When the work
timer for the last light in a column reaches zero, the last light
in the column is turned off, the work timer is turned off and the
rest timer is activated for a rest period, which may be 20 seconds.
In some cases, the rest period between columns may be longer, for
example 30 seconds, or the rest periods may alternate between 20
seconds between columns in a set and 30 seconds between sets (e.g.,
two consecutive columns). At the completion of the sequence, all
lights have been deactivated (e.g., turned off) and the work timer
is turned off. A sum total of worked time may be displayed e.g.,
via a total timer of the user interface. This sequence may be
completed in less than 25 minutes depending on the combination and
duration of rest periods between sets.
Example 4
[0081] An example sequence, which may be associated with a third
selected mode, starts by illuminating all of the lights in a
triangular pattern defined by a full first row or column and
partial subsequent rows or columns of the array (e.g., as in the
sequence shown in FIG. 8). Individual lights are sequentially
activated (by flashing or blinking) from left to right for a period
of time (e.g., repetition time) after which a flashing light is
turned off. The repetition time may be 10 seconds. A work timer
counts the repetition time down to zero. When the work timer
reaches zero, the flashing light is turned off, the work timer
resets to the start of a new repetition time (e.g., 10 seconds) and
the next light along the same row is activated (e.g., begins
flashing) for the duration of the repetition time. This is repeated
for all lights in a single row. When the work timer for the last
light in a row reaches zero, the last light in the row is turned
off, the work timer is turned off and a rest timer is activated for
a rest period, which may be 20 seconds. At the end of the first
rest period, the lights are again illuminated according to the
starting pattern (e.g., all lights of the first row, all but one
light in the second row, all but two lights in the third row and so
on, are re-illuminated). The activation pattern of the first row is
repeated and then the sequence moves to the next partial row
without a rest period in between. The partial row is completed by
sequentially activating each light in the partial row for a work
period (e.g., 10 seconds) each. At the end of the partial row, a
new rest period is activated, by activating a rest timer which
counts the rest period (e.g., 10 seconds) up or down. At the
completion of this rest period, the lights are again re-illuminated
in accordance with the starting pattern. The sequence returns to
the first row and all of the lights in the first row are
sequentially activated (e.g., all 8 lights are activated for 10
seconds each) followed by all of the lights in the next row (e.g.,
7 of the 8 lights in the second row are activated for 10 seconds
each) followed by all of the lights in the next partial row (e.g.,
6 of the 8 lights in the third row are activated for 10 seconds
each) without any rest periods in between. A new rest period (e.g.,
20 seconds) is provided after the completion of this set, at the
end of which the sequence returns to the first row and the
activation of lights is repeated starting from the first row
through the fourth row, and so on until all of the lights have been
stepped through in this pyramid manner. As will be appreciated, in
this example, a total of 7 rest periods are provided between 8
sets, which would include 8, 15, 21, 26, 30, 33, 35, and 36
repetitions consecutively (e.g., set 1 includes 8 repetition, set 2
includes 15 repetitions, and so on). This sequence may be completed
in slightly over 36 minutes.
Example 5
[0082] Another example sequence, which may be associated with a
third selected mode, may include the activation of lights in a
pyramid manner as described above in Example 4 with the difference
being that the triangular pattern of lights is instead defined
along columns of the array. That is at the start of the sequence,
all lights in the first column, all but one light in the second
column, all but two lights in the third column, and so on are
illuminated. The lights are sequentially activated in accordance
with a pyramid step through pattern similar to that described above
except that the activation sequence moves from top to bottom along
the columns and from left to right from full to partial columns.
The work period for each repetition may again be 10 seconds, or in
some cases 20 seconds. The rest periods between sets may be 20
seconds, or in some cases 30 seconds. As in Example 4, the sequence
would include a total of 7 rest periods and 8 sets including 8, 15,
21, 26, 30, 33, 35, and 36 repetitions consecutively.
Alternatively, the sequence may begin with none of the lights being
illuminated and the lights being sequentially turned on and
remaining on after sequential activation (e.g., after each step of
the pyramid is completed).
[0083] The specific examples of work periods, rest periods, and
sequence of activation of lights described are provided for
illustration only and other combinations of work periods, rest
periods, and sequences of activation of lights may be implemented
with a user interface in accordance with the present examples.
[0084] FIG. 10 illustrates an exercise system 1000' that includes
an exercise machine (e.g., exercise machine 100), which may be
configured to communicate wirelessly with a mobile device. The
exercise machine 100 may include a wireless communication interface
(e.g., a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi communication device) for
communicatively coupling the exercise machine 100 with the portable
computing device 1020 (e.g., smart phone). The portable computing
device may include executable instructions for providing a user
interface 1500 (e.g., user interface 400, 500, or 900), or
components thereof, on a display 1024 of the portable computing
device. In some examples, one or more components of the user
interface may be provided on the console 108 of the exercise
machine, on the display 1024 of the portable computing device, or a
combination thereof. In some examples, the user interface or
components thereof may be duplicated on both the console 108 and
the display 1024. In some examples, a part of the user interface
may be provided on the console 108 and a part of the user interface
may be provided on the display 1024. In some examples, one or more
components of the user interface provided on console 108 may be
controllable via the portable computing device 1020 (e.g., via user
interface elements on display 1024). The various components shown
in FIG. 10 are merely illustrative, and other variations, including
eliminating components, combining components, rearranging
components, and substituting components are all contemplated
[0085] With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 10, the exercise
machine 100 may include other features to provide a desired
aesthetic and/or functional characteristic. For example, in some
embodiments, the base 106, handles 110, or other surfaces of the
machine may include a non-slip contact surface, e.g., to reduce the
risk of slipping of a user's hands and/or feet while performing a
given exercise. In some embodiments, the tower 104 may include one
or more openings or access points, e.g., for airflow to the
resistance assembly and/or maintenance purposes. The tower 104 may
otherwise enclose some or all of the internal components of the
machine (e.g., cable and pulley system 120, biasing assembly 140)
so as to hide them from view and provide a more aesthetic
appearance of the exercise machine 100. Any of the components of
the machine (e.g., base, tower, handles, and console) may include
design features that to provide an overall aesthetically pleasing
look. In some examples, one or more elements of the user interface
180 may serve aesthetic and/or functional purpose.
[0086] The exercise machine 100 and/or components thereof may be
formed from a variety of materials and means. For instance, the
frame 102 and the handles, among others, may be formed from metal,
plastic, or other suitable material with sufficient strength.
Metals may include aluminum, steel, titanium, or any other suitable
metal, alloy, or composite. Plastics may include a thermoplastic
material (self-reinforced or fiber reinforced), nylon, LDPE, ABS,
polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene, PVC, polyamide, and/or
PTFE, among others, and may be formed or molded in any suitable
manner, such as by plug molding, blow molding, injection molding,
extrusion, or the like. The cables 121 may be formed of nylon or
steel wire, braided or otherwise, and may be coated with a vinyl or
other coating for increased durability.
[0087] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a user flow
associated with a user interface in accordance with some examples
herein. Although the user flow in FIG. 11 is described here with
reference to exercise system 1000 and user interface 500, one or
more aspects of the user flow may be applicable to other exercise
systems and user interfaces according to the present disclosure.
The user flow 1100 is described with reference also to FIGS. 12-17,
which illustrate user interface elements associated with various
processes according to the present disclosure. The various elements
shown in FIGS. 11-17 are merely illustrative, and other variations,
including eliminating, combining, rearranging, and substituting
elements are all contemplated
[0088] The user interface may be operable to enable a user to
configure certain functions of the exercise system, such as certain
aspect of the user interface or settings of the exercise machine.
The exercise system 1000 may be configured to store user data such
as one or more user profiles. A user profile may include user
information (e.g., weight, age, gender, burned-calories target,
stored workouts which may include totals of time, work, and burned
calories for previous completed workouts, and other information).
The user profile may also include default settings that may be
applied before or during a workout. For example, a default program
may be selected if a user initiates a workout (e.g., presses the
start button or pulls on a cable) without selecting a program.
Default settings may also be applied automatically by the exercise
system during a workout, for example to automatically adjust the
resistance during one or more segments of the workout. Manipulating
one or more of the user controls of user interface 500 may enable a
user to create and/or edit a user profile, select one of a
plurality of stored user profiles, select, start, pause, restart
and/or terminate a workout program and/or adjust settings during a
workout program.
[0089] A user profile may be updated by the user, such as via a
user profile edit process, or automatically by the system during a
workout. For example, if a user modifies the resistance during the
workout, the system may update the user profile to store the
modified resistance as the default resistance for that segment in
the workout program. If a user adds time to a selected sequence,
the default sequence in the user's profile may be updated to
correspond to the modified sequence (e.g., to include the
additional time), such that next time the user defaults are
invoked, the user's default sequence already includes the
additional time. Of course, one or more of these default settings
may be overridden by the user during a workout e.g., via operation
of one or more user controls of the user interface.
[0090] As shown in block 1102, when the exercise machine is powered
up for the first time, the system (e.g., exercise system 1000) may
enter a setup state 1001. The system may automatically execute a
setup process (see FIG. 12, which illustrates user interface
elements associated with an example setup process 1200). During the
setup process the user interface may prompt the user to create a
user profile. At the end of the setup process, the system may enter
a pre-workout state 1003, in which the system may automatically
select a default workout such that the user can begin to work out
without having to make any further selections. During the
pre-workout state 1003, the user can select another workout or
initiate the default workout. The user may also select another
user, assuming multiple user profiles have already been created and
stored. After the initial set-up, the exercise system may enter the
pre-workout state 1003 when the system powered up. When a workout
program is initiated, the system may enter a workout state 1005.
During the workout state 1005, the system may provide exercise
guidance and record user data. Buffered user data (e.g., workout
metrics, biometrics, etc.) may be automatically stored in memory
periodically (e.g., every 1 minute, every 2 or more minutes)
depending on user profile setting. Following the completion of a
workout, the system may provide a workout summary and then return
to the pre-workout state 1003.
[0091] Referring now also to FIG. 12, an example setup process 1200
is described. An example setup process 1200 may include the steps
of activating one or more user interface elements which may include
displaying a welcome message and displaying a profile setup prompt,
receiving user input to the profile setup prompt, proceeding to
user profile edit process responsive to a confirmatory user input,
and exiting the setup process responsive to a non-confirmatory user
input.
[0092] During the setup process 1200, one or more of the user
interface elements may activate for an aesthetic purpose, such as
to display an aesthetic light pattern with the lights 522, and/or
for a functional purpose, such as to guide the user through the
setup process. In some examples, one or more of the display
elements (e.g., display element 511) may active to display one or
more welcome messages 1202-1, 1202-2 (e.g., "Thank you for choosing
. . . ", or "Welcome to . . . "), which may be followed by one or
more instructions or prompts 1204, for example for setting up a
user profile. Messages and/or instructions may be provided via
visual and/or audible elements of the user interface. In some
examples, prompts 1204 may be displayed along with a default
selection and the user may provide user input by operating one or
more user controls. For example, the user may confirm the default
selection such as by pressing button, or scroll to another of a
plurality of available selections and then confirm the user
specified selection. In other examples, the user interface may be
configured to receive direct user input, such as via a text input
UI element, or through speech recognition of audible input.
[0093] As shown in block 1208, the setup process 1200 may terminate
without performing a user profile edit process 1210, in which case
the user flow 1100 may proceed to a workout program selection
process, which may start at block 1130. The system may be
configured to terminate the setup process responsive to receiving
an indication to terminate setup, as shown in block 1207. For
example, the system may be configured to terminate the setup
process 1200 responsive to a selection of a predetermined user
control such as the pause/stop button 523, or another button such
as an EXIT, CANCEL, or END button (not shown), at any time during
the setup process. In some examples, the user interface may display
a profile setup prompt 1204-1 and the system may be configured to
terminate the setup process responsive to a non-confirmatory user
input. For example, the user interface may be configured to receive
a user input responsive to the profile setup prompt, such as a
confirmation to proceed with profile setup. In some example, the
system may be configured to terminate the setup process 1200
responsive to lack of user input for a predetermined period of time
(e.g., 2 seconds, 3 seconds, 4 seconds, or other period of time).
The user interface 500 may display a message 1206-1 indicating that
setup has been completed.
[0094] A user profile edit process may be initiated during the
setup process 1200 as described above, or at a later time, such as
during a user selection process, which may start a block 1116. As
described, the user interface 500 may be configured to enable the
user to select one of the stored user profiles. For example, as
shown in block 1118, the user may press the user button 516, or
operate another type of user control, to select one of a plurality
of stored user profiles as shown in blocks 1120. After selecting
one of the stored profiles, the user may initiate a user profile
edit process by operating one or more user controls in a
predetermined manner. As shown in block 1104, the user profile edit
process 1210 may be initiated responsive to pressing and holding
the user button for a period of time (e.g., 2 seconds, 3 seconds,
or other). To that end, the user interface 500 may be configured to
display a prompt 1204-8 to inform the user how to initiate the user
profile edit process in order to edit the selected profile.
Responsive to user input corresponding to the instruction 1204-8,
the work flow may proceed to the user profile edit process. The
user may edit any of the stored profiles by scrolling to that
profile (or selecting the profile via dedicated one of a plurality
of user buttons) and initiating the user profile edit process.
[0095] During a user profile edit process, the user interface 500
may display a plurality of prompts (e.g., prompts 1204-2, 1204-3,
1204-4, and 1204-5) and receive user input to the prompts. The user
input may confirm a default value or specify a modified value for
one or more of the profile parameters (e.g., units as shown in
block 1106, user weight as shown in block 1108, auto-adjust
resistance function enabled as shown in block 1110, save workouts
function enabled as shown in block 1112, etc.). The user may
confirm a selection (e.g., a default value, a modified value) by
pressing a button (e.g., pressing the resistance dial as shown in
blocks 1114). The user profile edit process may be terminated at
any time during the process by operating a predetermined user
control (e.g., pressing the pause/stop button 523, an EXIT button,
a CANCEL button, an END button, or operating another user
control).
[0096] During a pre-workout state of the exercise system, the user
interface may enable to user to select a workout program and/or
make modifications to the selected workout program. FIGS. 13A and
13B show user interface elements associated with a program
selection process which may start at block 1130 of the user flow
1100. An example program selection process may include the step of
displaying a default workout program (e.g., manufacturing default
program or a user profile default program), which may include
displaying a preview of the default program. The program selection
process may include receiving a user selection of a different
workout program, displaying a preview of the selected workout
program, and displaying a prompt to initiate the workout program.
In some examples, the process may include receiving user input to
modify the selected program (e.g., add time or change
resistance).
[0097] The program selection process may start with displaying a
default workout program, For example, as shown in block 1310 of
FIG. 13A, the exercise indicators for all segments in the selected
sequence may be activated, such that the user may visualize the
full workout. Additionally or alternatively, a name of the selected
sequence may be displayed on the user interface (e.g., via display
element 1315) and the sequence time may be displayed (e.g., via
display element 1311). The default workout program may be a
manufacturing default program (e.g., a default sequence provided by
the manufacturer). The default workout program may be based on the
selected user profile (e.g., a sequence selected as a default
sequence by a user or the last performed sequence by that user). In
some examples, displaying a default workout program may include
displaying a preview of the default workout program. As shown in
block 1320 and 1330, the user interface may be configured to
display a preview of the default workout program by cycling through
the timers associated with the workout program. For example, for
the illustrated default program Sprint, the user interface may
illuminate the pattern of lights in block 1320 (i.e., all eight
rows of the first four columns are illuminated while the remaining
lights are not illuminated). The user interface may also display
the timers associated with the Sprint program starting with a work
timer of 20 seconds, cycling to a rest timer of 10 seconds and then
to a break timer of 60 seconds as shown in block 1330. The user
interface may cycle through the timers at a predetermined frequency
(e.g., every 2 seconds, every 3 seconds, or another). The user
interface may be configured to display a preview until the user
makes a selection or initiates the program.
[0098] The user interface may be configured to enable the user to
select any of a plurality of workout programs 1140, such as by
pressing the program button corresponding to a desired program.
Responsive to a selection of another program (e.g., Circuit,
Builder, or Manual program as shown in block 1340), the user
interface may display a preview of the selected program, in a
similar manner as described above, such as by illuminating the
lights associated with all segments in the sequence an cycling
through the timers associated with a respective sequence.
[0099] During the program selection process, the user may modify
the selected program, for example by adding time to the selected
program by pressing the add time button (block 1142) or changing
the resistance by operating the resistance dial (block 1144). The
user may initiate the selected program by pressing the start button
(block 1146). The user interface may be configured to enable the
user to select an unguided workout program (i.e., manual program)
by pressing the manual program button or operating another user
control. As shown in user flow 1100, the user may adjust the
resistance for a manual program but may not add time as the manual
program typically is not associated with a predetermined sequence
time. In some examples, the user interface may be configured to
display a prompt to the user to initiate the workout program. For
example, the user interface may cycle through displaying the name
of the selected program with a message (e.g., "Press start to begin
your workout") in display element 515.
[0100] FIG. 13B illustrates user interface elements for four
exemplary programs, overlaid for illustration only, with an arrow
pattern showing pat of the sequence of activation of lights. In the
examples illustrated in FIG. 13B, the Sprint workout program (block
1350) includes 4 rounds, each round including 4 reps of a pair of
exercises. Each rep lasts 20 seconds and a 10 second rest period is
provided between each rep with a break period of 60 seconds between
rounds, for a total workout time of about 18 minutes and 20
seconds. The lights in this sequence are activated in a zig-zag
pattern within each round, with each rep, as indicated by each
light, followed by a rest period and each round followed by a break
period. The Circuit workout program (block 1352) includes 4 rounds,
each round including 1 rep of each of the eight unique exercises
each rep lasting 25 seconds, a rest period of 15 seconds is
provided between each rep and a break period of 20 seconds is
provided between rounds, for a total work time of about 21 minutes.
In this sequence, the lights are activated sequentially from top to
bottom until all lights in a column have been activated which
corresponds to the completion of each round.
[0101] The Builder workout program (block 1354) includes 8 rounds,
starting with the first round in which the user is guided to
perform one 30 sec rep of the first exercise (as indicated by the
single light in the left most column) followed by a break of 30
seconds. The first round is followed by a second round which
includes one 30 second rep of the first exercise (I first row)
followed by one 30 second rep of a second exercise (as indicated by
the two lights in the second column) without a rest period between
reps. A 30 second break is provided after the second round which is
followed by a third round that starts again with a 30 rep of first
exercise in the first row followed by reps for each of the
exercises in the second and third rows, without a rest period in
between. A 30 second break is provided again after the third round
and the sequence continues by adding one new exercise to the
pyramid in each subsequent round until all 8 rounds have been
performed. Rest periods are not provided between reps while 30
second breaks are provided between each round, for a total workout
time of about 21.5 minutes. In this sequence, the lights are
activated in a step pattern from left to right, with each round
building up an additional exercise until all eight rounds have been
completed.
[0102] The Manual workout program (block 1356), may be an unguided
workout in which the user is not provided guidance of exercises to
perform and the user interface may function to simply track the
workout metrics for the duration that the user elects to work out.
The user interface may be configured to track a Manual work out of
up to 99:59 minutes, in some examples. In the Manual mode, the
exercise indicators may activate randomly or in a predetermined
manner purely for ornamental reasons. Examples of user interface
elements associated with a Manual program are illustrated in FIG.
15. As shown in block 1510, initially the exercise display area may
be inactive (e.g., it may not be illuminated), while one or more
elements of the information display area may be active so as to
display workout metrics as the user progresses through the workout.
A work timer (block 1520) may be active while the user is
performing exercises. In some examples, the work timer activation
and deactivation may be automatic based on detected cable motion.
In some examples, the activation and deactivation of the work timer
may be controlled by the user such as by pressing the start button
to activate the work timer and pressing the pause/stop button to
deactivate the work timer. When the work timer is deactivated, a
rest timer (block 1530) is activated and remains active until the
next work period. During the workout, continuously or periodically
(e.g., every 3, 4, 5 minutes or other), one or more lights in the
array may illuminate in a pattern which may be pleasing to the
user. The pattern may illuminate in regular intervals, which may
enable the user to track time without referring to the timers. In
some examples, the lights may illuminate in the same pattern or
different patterns over time. In some examples, the illumination of
lights may be accompanied, preceded or followed by one or more
sounds.
[0103] Referring back to FIG. 14, after initiating a workout
program, the system may enter a workout state during which the user
interface may guide the user through the selected exercise program.
FIG. 14 illustrates user interface elements at various stages
during an exercise program according to one embodiment. In the
example in FIG. 14, a Sprint program is selected and the user
interface operates to activate and deactivate exercise indicators
510 in accordance with the selected program. For example, at the
initiation of the program all of the exercise indicators associated
with the selected program may be illuminated (see block 1410). The
user interface may provide visual feedback about selected settings.
For example, the user button may be illuminated to indicate which
user profile is active. In some examples, the program button
corresponding to the selected program may be illuminated to
indicate which workout program has been selected. Alternatively or
additionally, a display element (e.g., display element 1415) may
indicate the selected program.
[0104] The user interface may indicate user controls that are
operable to modify the selected program during the workout. For
example, the resistance dial may be illuminated to indicate that
the user can change resistance during the workout. However, the
active user controls need not be illuminated in some examples. That
is, one or more of the user controls (e.g., pause/stop button, add
time button, volume button) may not be illuminated and may
nevertheless be operable to effect a change during a workout. As
one or more segments are completed, the user interface deactivates
the corresponding lights (see blocks 1420, 1430, 1440), For
example, block 1420 shows a snapshot in time of the user interface
at the start of a work period (interchangeably referred to as work
interval). As shown, the work timer is active and shows the full
amount of time remaining for the work period, which will be counted
down as the user performs the exercises, block 1430 shows a
snapshot in time of the user interface at the start of the rest
period that follows the work interval in block 1420. As shown, the
rest timer is active and shows the amount of time associated with
the rest period, Block 1440 shows a snapshot in time of the user
interface at the start of the break period that follows the first
round of the program. As shown, the break timer is active and shows
the amount of reaming time associated with the break period,
[0105] Referring back to FIG. 11, the user interface may enable the
user to change the resistance as shown in block 1152, to modify the
workout program (e.g., add time as shown in block 1154), or to
pause the workout program or end the program prior to its
completion, As shown in the user flow 1100, the program may be
paused (see block 1160) responsive to pressing the pause/stop
button once (see block 1150) during the workout (see block 1148).
The paused program may be re-started responsive to pressing the
start button (see block 1156), or another button such as pressing
the selected program button, or the resistance dial. In some
examples, the system may be configured to receive an indication of
movement of any of the cables and may automatically re-start the
program responsive to a pull of a cable (see block 1156). In some
examples, the system may be configured to end the program
responsive to pressing the pause/stop button a second time (block
1162).
[0106] The system may be configured to automatically save the
user's workout metrics, as shown in block 1164. In some examples,
the system may be configured to automatically save the user's
workout metrics only if the workout duration exceeds a
predetermined workout length (e.g., workout metrics for workouts
longer than 1 minute are automatically saved while workout metrics
for workouts shorter than 1 minute are not automatically saved).
The auto-save function may be user-configurable. The user interface
may be configured to display a workout summary, as shown in block
1170. The system may return to the pre-workout state 1003
responsive to user input (e.g., pressing the pause/stop button) or
responsive to lack of user input for a predetermined duration of
time (e.g., 3 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, or other duration of
time). In the pre-workout state, the user interface may remain
active (e.g., displaying information and/or being operable to
receive user input) for a period of time (e.g., 4 minutes, 5
minutes, 6 minutes, or other period of time), after which the user
interface may enter a standby mode for example to preserve power by
deactivating (e.g., turning off) on or more UI elements, as shown
in blocks 1130, 1132, and 1134, As shown in block 1136, operating a
specific user control, or in some examples, any of the user
controls may return he user interface to active mode. In some
examples, a detected movement of a cable may re-activate the user
interface. The user flow may return to block 1130 from any function
after inactivity (e.g., lack of user inputs) for a predetermined
period of time (e.g., 4 minutes, 5 minutes, 6 minutes, or other
period of time).
[0107] FIG. 16 is an illustration of user interface elements
associated with a paused workout program. The user interface may
enable he user to manually pause a workout program for example by
pressing the pause/stop button. Responsive to pressing the
pause/stop button during a workout program (as shown in block
1610), the user interface may be configured to provide a
mid-program summary. For example, instead of displaying the
remaining exercise segments (e.g., lights for remaining reps), the
user interface may activate the lights associated with the segments
(see block 1620). Additionally, or alternatively, the user
interface may display total workout metrics for the completed
portion of the workout program.
[0108] The user interface may be configured to enable a user to
reset the user interface by operating one or more user controls in
a predetermined manner. Referring back to the example in FIG. 11, a
reset process may be initiated by pressing and holding the
pause/stop button 523 together with the add time button 527 for a
period of time (e.g., 2 seconds, 3 seconds, 4 seconds, or more), as
shown in block 1184. During the reset process, the user interface
may display a reset menu (block 1180) which may display machine,
software, and/or firmware information and a prompt for confirmation
to proceed with the reset. The user interface may receive
confirmation responsive to the user operating a predetermined user
control (e.g., pressing he dial as in block 1182) and complete the
reset process. At the completion of the reset process, all user
configured setting may be deleted and the system returned to its
manufacturing settings. For example, any user profiles previously
created and stored may be deleted. Thus, on startup of the system
following a reset process, the system may proceed to the setup
process 1200 previously described.
[0109] FIG. 17 is a front view of an exercise machine 1700
according to an embodiment. The exercise machine 1700 may include
some or all of the components of the exercise machine 100 in FIG.
1. For example, the exercise machine 1700 includes a frame 1702 and
a cable and pulley system (e.g., cable and pulley system 120),
which is operatively associated with the frame 1702. The exercise
machine 1700 includes handles 1710, which may be removably
connected to one or more connection points of the cable and pulley
system to enable a user to apply a pull force on one or more of the
cables. The exercise machine 1700 includes a resistance assembly
(not shown in this view) which is operatively associated with the
frame 1702 and the cable and pulley system to apply resistance to
movement of the cables. The resistance assembly and the cable and
pulley system may be at least partially enclosed by an enclosure
1750.
[0110] The frame 1702 may include a tower 1704 and a base 1706
adjacent to the tower 1704. In some examples, the base 1706 may
adjoin a side of the tower 1704. In other examples, the base 1706
may at least partially extend below and support the tower 1704. The
tower 1704 may extend vertically from the base 1706. In some
examples, the tower 1704 may be substantially perpendicular to the
base 1706. The base 1706 may be configured to provide a support
surface for a user.
[0111] The exercise machine 1700 may include one or more hand grips
1746, which may extend from the tower 1704. In some examples, one
or more oblique handle bars 1748 may extend between the tower 1704
and base 1706. The hand grips and/or handle bars may be implemented
using tubular members. The tubular members may be arranged at
suitable locations along the tower and/or base to provide a
convenient location for a user to grasp e.g., to stabilize himself
while performing an exercise. In some embodiments, the handle bars
1748 may be equipped with one or more handle clips 1749 for
securing the handles 1710 when not in use. Additionally or
optionally, handle clips may be provided elsewhere, such as on the
base 1706, the tower 1704, or arms (not numbered) extending from
the tower.
[0112] FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of a media holder, which
can be incorporated in an exercise machine such as exercise machine
1700. FIGS. 18A and 18B are partial isometric views of the exercise
machine in FIG. 17 and show close up views of the media holder
1800. FIGS. 19A and 19B show partial cross-sectional views of the
media holder 1800. The media holder 1800 is configured to secure an
object (e.g., a multi-media device such as a smart phone, a tablet
computer, or a printed media object such as a book, an instruction
manual, or other types of electronic or printed media, collectively
referred to as media devices) to the exercise machine 1700. In this
illustrated embodiment, the exercise machine 1700 includes a
console 1780, which may be operable to change one or more settings
(e.g., resistance, exercise mode, etc.) of the exercise machine
1700. The media holder 1800 in this embodiment is located next to
the console 1780, specifically above the console 1780. In other
embodiments, the media holder 1800 may be located elsewhere, such
as below the console, adjacent to a side of the console, or
elsewhere on the tower irrespective of whether the exercise machine
includes a console. In further embodiments, the media holder 1800
may be provided on an extension arm, which may be articulating
and/or proximate to the console.
[0113] In some embodiments, the media device may complement the
functionality of the console. For example, the media device may be
a printed media object (e.g., an instruction manual), which may
include exercise information that supplements information that is
displayed via the console. In yet further embodiments, the media
device may provide some or all of the functionality in place of a
console. For example, the media device may be an electronic media
device (e.g., a tablet), which may be configured to be
communicatively coupled to the exercise machine and operable to
execute a user interface as described herein. In such examples, the
exercise machine may not include a console and certain functions of
the exercise machine may be controlled, in part, by the electronic
media device. The media holder 1800 may be adjustable to
accommodate different types of media devices. In some embodiments,
the media holder may be configurable into a first configuration for
securing an electronic media device and further configurable into a
second configuration for securing printed media (e.g., a spiral
bound booklet as shown in FIG. 18B).
[0114] The media holder 1800 includes a support structure, which is
configured to at least partially support the media device (e.g.,
spiral bound booklet 1801) at a desired location on the exercise
machine. The media holder 1800 further includes a securing
structure, which is configured to retain the media device at the
desired location such as to reduce or prevent movement of the media
device during use of the exercise machine and/or the media device.
In some embodiments, the securing structure may include one or more
components which are movably coupled to the support structure to
enable the media holder to accommodate devices of different shapes
or sizes. The media holder may include a track which is associated
with the support structure and the one or more components of the
securing structure may be movably connected to the support
structure via the track. In some embodiments the track may be in
the form of one or more slots, rails, or combinations thereof.
[0115] In the embodiment in FIGS. 18-19 the media holder 1800
includes a support structure in the form of a media tray 1810. A
base 1812 of the media tray 1810 provides a bottom support surface
of the support structure and a back support member 1814 of the
media tray 1810 provides a rear support surface of the support
structure for supporting the media device in a desired location and
orientation. The base 1812 and/or back support member 1814 may be
integrally formed with the enclosure or they may be joined to the
enclosure 1750 using known techniques. The media tray 1810 is
generally vertically arranged such that the media device is
supported in a generally upright orientation. By generally
vertically arranged it is implied that the back 1814 of the media
tray is generally perpendicular to the base 1812 or slightly
inclined (e.g., up to about 35 degrees) from the perpendicular. In
other embodiments greater incline maybe used depending on the
location of the media tray on the frame 1702 and/or based on the
expected position of the user during use of the machine.
[0116] In some embodiments, the media tray 1810, or a portion
thereof, may be part of the enclosure 1750. For example, the base
1812 and/or the back support member 1814 may be provided by one or
more surfaces of the enclosure (e.g., surfaces defining a recess in
a portion of the enclosure 1750 such as above console 1780). In
other embodiments, the media tray 1810, or a portion thereof, may
be joined to the enclosure 1750. In some embodiments, the media
tray 1810, or a portion thereof, may be movably joined to the
enclosure 1750.
[0117] In the illustrated embodiment, the back support member 1814
is provided by a movable cover plate 1826. The movable cover plate
1826 may be movably and in some cases pivotally connected to the
frame 1702 to provide access to a storage compartment 1752 located
behind the back support member 1814. In the illustrated embodiment,
the cover plate 1826 is pivotally connected to the enclosure 1750
along a top edge of the cover plate 1826, as shown in FIG. 19. The
cover plate 1826 is hingedly connected to the enclosure at hinge
1828 and is securable in a closed position via closure mechanism
1833 (e.g., one or more tabs received in in one or more recesses
along the bottom edge). In some embodiments, the cover plate 1826
may be removably connected to the frame, for example using one or
more tabs along one end of the cover which are inserted into one or
more recesses in the enclosure 1750, and a spring member at an
opposite side of the cover to bias the tabs towards the recesses.
The cover plate 1826, which may be made from a rigid plastic,
metallic or composite material, may include a friction layer 1827,
which may be provided as a coating of friction increasing material
(e.g., a rubber coating) or a sheet of friction increasing material
(e.g., a rubberized sheet) attached to the exposed side of the
cover plate 1826. The friction layer 1827 may further reduce the
risk of the media device falling from exercise machine by
increasing the friction between the media device and the back
support member 1814.
[0118] A wall 1816 extends from the base 1812. The wall 1816 may be
arranged generally vertically (e.g., perpendicular to the base 1812
or inclined from the perpendicular for example by the same or
similar angle as the back support member 1814). In some examples,
the wall 1816 and the back support member 1814 may be substantially
parallel to one another. Spacing between the wall 1816 and back
support member 1814 is selected to allow a media device to be
positioned behind the wall 1816 (i.e., between the wall 1816 and
the back support member 1814). The wall 1816 is set back from the
front end of the base 1812 to allow a media device, or a portion
thereof, to be positioned in front of the wall 1816. In some
examples, the wall 1816 may be configured to support a media device
at least partially on the wall itself (e.g., on a lip extending
from the wall), or straddling the wall. In some embodiments, the
wall 1816 may include spaced apart wall portions (e.g., left and
right wall portion 1816-1, 1816-2) in order to accommodate the
spine or spiral binding of printed media. A base spike 1817 may be
positioned in the gap between the wall portions 1816-1, 1816-2 for
securing e.g., the spiral binding of a spiral-bound booklet 1801 as
shown in FIG. 18B.
[0119] The media holder 1800 includes a securing structure in the
form of a movable member 1840. In the illustrated embodiment, the
movable member 1840 is slidably engaged with the support structure
and is thus interchangeably referred to as slider 1840. The slider
1840 is slidable within a slot 1830 formed in the movable cover
plate 1826. Instead of a slot, the slider may be slidable along a
rail provided on the support structure in other embodiments. Other
mechanisms (e.g., magnetic, spring loaded, latched) may be used for
the securing structure of the media holder.
[0120] Referring now also to FIGS. 20A and 20B, components and
operation of an embodiment of a slider is described. Slider 1840
includes first and second flanges 1842, 1844, respectively, spaced
apart and connected by a post 1846. A knob 1850 is connected to the
second flange 1844. The knob 1850 includes a knob clip 1852 and
knob spike 1854 extending from opposite sides of a knob shaft 1856.
The knob spike 1854 is sized such that it can be inserted, at least
partially, into the aperture defined by spiral binding 1803 of a
spiral-bound booklet 1801. One or both of the spikes 1817 and 1854
may be tapered. The thickness of the knob spike 1854, and similarly
of the base spike 1817, may be different along the length of each
spike in order to accommodate spiral bindings of different
diameter. That is, the thickness of each spike may be narrower at
the free end and thus be insertable into a narrower binding, and
wider at the attached end for securing wider bindings. The knob
clip 1852 is configured to bias a media device towards the media
tray 1810. The knob clip 1852 may include an end portion 1853 which
is configured to resiliently deform (e.g., as shown by arrow 1851)
to bias the media device towards the media tray 1810.
[0121] The slider can be made (e.g., molded) from a plastic
material, such as rubber. The slider may be frictionally retained
in the slot 1830. When inserted into slot 1830 (see cross-sectional
view in FIG. 21), the first and second flanges 1842, 1844 are
positioned on opposite sides of the cover plate with the post 1846
passing through the slot 1830. The spacing between the flanges
1842, 1844 (i.e., the length of the post 1846) may be slightly less
than the thickness of the plate 1826 (i.e., the depth of the slot)
such that the flanges 1842, 1844 press against the portion of the
cover plate 1826 which defines the slot 1830 and thereby
frictionally retain the slider 1840 in the slot 1830. Additionally
or alternatively, the post 1846 may be sized for an interference
fit within the slot 1830. For example, the post 1846 may have a
diameter which is slightly greater than the width of the slot
thereby resulting in friction between the walls of the slot 1830
and the post 1846. The friction applied by the flanges and/or post
is low enough to allow the user to slide the slider 1840 along the
slot 1830 but is sufficient to prevent the slider 1840 from moving
absent user applied force. In this manner, the slider is
frictionally retained in a desired position along the slot without
the use of any biasing components (e.g., springs), which may
provide a simpler, lower cost, and/or lower maintenance
solution.
[0122] In some embodiments, the movable member (e.g., slider 1840)
may be removably connected to the support structure of the media
holder, such as to enable replacement or interchangeability with
differently shaped or sized movable members. Referring back to
FIGS. 18A and 19, the slot 1830 may include an opening 1832, for
example at the bottom end of the slot. The opening 1832 may have a
larger diameter than the diameter of the first flange 1842 to allow
the slider 1840 to be pulled out of the slot 1830 when positioned
at the location of the opening 1832. In other embodiments, the top
and bottom flanges may instead be separable to allow removal of the
slider 1840 from the slot 1830. The slider 1840 is operatively
associated with the media tray 1810 of the media holder to enable
re-configuration of the media holder 1810 between the first and
second configurations. The slider 1840 may include markings to
indicate the appropriate orientation of the slider associated with
each of the configurations. For example, the top surface of the
knob 1850 may include a first marking 1858-1 which is associated
with the first configuration of the media holder 1800.
[0123] During normal use, the user may grasp the knob 1850 to
rotate the slider 1840 within the slot 1830 and to orient the
slider 1840 in accordance with the first marking 1858-1 (e.g., to
point the arrow of the first marking downward towards the base of
the support structure) in order to provide the media holder in the
first configuration for securing a first type of media device
(e.g., an electronic media device). A second marking 1858-2, which
may be associated with the second configuration, may be provided
opposite the first marking 1858-1. During normal use, the user may
rotate the slider 1840 within the slot 1830 to orient the slider
1840 in accordance with the second marking 1858-2 (e.g., to point
the arrow of the second marking downward) in order to provide the
media holder 1800 in the second configuration for securing a second
type of media device (e.g., printed media). In some embodiments,
the media holder 1800 may be configured to secure additional types
of media devices and the slider 1840 may thus include additional
markings. For example, a third marking may be provided which
instructs the user to orient the slider in a third orientation with
respect to the support structure (e.g., orthogonal to the first and
second orientations) to secure yet another type of a media device.
Additional securing features for such configurations may be
provided along other sides of the knob.
[0124] To secure a first type of media device, for example
electronic media device, the slider 1840 is rotated such that the
clip 1852 points down towards the base 1812 of the media tray 1810.
The media device is placed in the media tray e.g., resting against
the base 1812 and back support member 1814. The media device may be
placed behind the wall 1816 to reduce movement of the bottom end of
the media device and thereby reduce the risk of the media device
falling from the exercise machine. The slider 1840 is then moved
downward along the slot to position at least part of the clip 1852
over a top portion of the media device securing the media device in
the media holder. For a relatively thinner media device, the slider
may be moved downward until the knob shaft 1856 substantially abuts
the media device. For a relatively thicker media device, the clip
1852 may deform to bias the media device towards the back support
member 1814 but the top of the media device need not contact the
knob shaft 1856 to secure the media device.
[0125] To secure a second type of media device, for example printed
media object in the form of a spiral-bound booklet 1801 (as shown
in FIG. 18B), the slider 1840 is rotated with the knob spike 1854
pointing down towards the base 1812. The spiral-bound booklet 1801
is placed in the media tray e.g., with the spiral-bound booklet
1810 resting on the base 1812 and the base spike 1817 inserted into
the bottom opening defined by the spiral binding 1803 of the
booklet. The pages of the spiral-bound booklet 1801 may be
positioned in front of the wall 1816 to enable the user to turn the
pages without having to remove the booklet from the media holder.
The slider 1840 is then moved downward along the slot 1830 to
secure the spiral-bound booklet 1801 in the media holder 1800. The
slider 1840 is moved down until the knob spike 1854 is inserted
into the top opening defined by the spiral binding 1803 of the
booklet thus securing the booklet in place. Printed media without
spiral binding may also be secured in the media holder, for example
by inserting the base and media spikes between the cover and the
spine of a book or by placing the spikes in front of the book at
the fold between the pages of the book.
[0126] As previously described, the base 1706 may be configured to
provide a support surface for a user. In one embodiment (see FIG.
22), the support surface is provided by a platform 1760. The
platform 1760 may include a plurality of interlocking slats 1900.
The platform 1760 may be movably connected to the frame 1702. In
other words, the platform 1760 and/or individual slats 1900 may not
be rigidly connected to the frame but may instead be allowed to
move slightly (e.g., side to side or forward and aft) when the
machine is in use. In the illustrated embodiment, the platform 1760
is designed to rest on a platform ledge 1762 of the base 1706. The
base 1706 may include a plurality of beams 1705 joined together to
form a support structure for the platform 1760 (also referred to as
peripheral beam assembly). The peripheral beam assembly defines an
opening that is sized to accommodate the platform 1760. The
platform may be substantially flush with or sit slightly below the
upper surface of the peripheral beam assembly. The platform ledge
1762 may be provided by shaping of the beams themselves, for
example by a L-shaped depression extending along an inner side of
one or more of the beams in the peripheral beam assembly. In other
embodiments, an L-shaped bracket may be attached to the inner side
of the beams to serve as the platform ledge 1762.
[0127] In the illustrated embodiment, eight individual slats are
joined in an interlocking manner to form the platform 1760. In
other embodiments, a different number of slats may be used. In the
illustrated embodiment, each slat 1900 has a generally trapezoidal
shape, and the plurality of slats 1900 assemble into a platform
1760 having an irregular hexagonal shape. The individual slats may
have different shapes in other embodiments depending on the overall
shape of the platform 1760.
[0128] FIG. 23 shows an isometric view of an individual slat 1900.
The slat 1900 has first and second major sides 1902 and 1904,
respectively. The first major sides 1902 of the assembled slats
provide the support surface of the exercise machine. The first
major side 1902 may include surface features 1903 (e.g., ribs,
grooves, diamond tread) and/or a coating to improve traction. The
second major sides 1904 may include features for attaching supports
(e.g., rubber posts) to minimize deflection of the slats during use
of the machine (e.g., when a user is standing on the platform). The
slat 1900 includes first and second opposing minor sides 1906 and
1908, respectively, which include the interlocking features for
assembling the slats 1900 into platform 1760. In this embodiment,
the interlocking features include a lengthwise groove 1920 along
one of the opposing minor sides 1906 and 1908, and a lengthwise
projection 1922 along the other one of the opposing minor sides
1906 and 1908. The projection and groove are configured such that
the projection of one slat fits within the grove of an adjacent
slat. The projection and groove may be sized for an interference
fit such that the slats 1900 may be held together frictionally to
allow the platform 1760 to be assembled before joining the platform
1760 to the frame 1702. In other embodiments, the projection and
groove may be sized for a clearance or tolerance fit and the
platform may be assembled directly on the base by placing the slats
individually and interlocking them to slats already on the base. In
some embodiments that slats are configured such that with the
platform assembled, the individual slats are movable relative to
one another and the frame. In further embodiment, the interlocking
features may instead be upper and lower halves of a lap joint,
which may or may not be securing by additional fasteners.
[0129] The slats 1900 may have a substantially hollow interior
provided by lengthwise channels 1916 which extend between the minor
sides 1912 and 1914. The channels 1916 are defined by vertical ribs
1918, which provide structural support and reduce deflection of the
upper major surface (e.g., surface 1902). The slats may be
manufactured from a plastic or composite material (e.g., fiber
reinforced plastic (FRP)) for example by known casting, molding,
extrusion, or pultrusion processes. For example, the slats can
molded or cast to their nearly final individual shapes and sizes.
In other examples, individual slats may be cut to size from a
larger extruded or pultruded part.
[0130] All relative and directional references (including: upper,
lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top,
bottom, side, above, below, front, middle, back, vertical,
horizontal, and so forth) are given by way of example to aid the
reader's understanding of the particular embodiments described
herein. They should not be read to be requirements or limitations,
particularly as to the position, orientation, or use unless
specifically set forth in the claims. Connection references (e.g.,
attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be
construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a
connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As
such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two
elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each
other, unless specifically set forth in the claims.
[0131] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the presently
disclosed embodiments teach by way of example and not by
limitation. Therefore, the matter contained in the above
description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be
interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The
following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific
features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope
of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language,
might be said to fall there between.
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