An interactive exercise apparatus engages a user's mind and body. The apparatus comprises an exercise mechanism, a steering mechanism, and a control mechanism for manipulation by the user to achieve exercise, to indicate a direction of motion, and to interact with virtual objects in a simulated environment. The exercise mechanism can be, for example, the steps of a stair climbing simulator or the pedals of a bicycle, preferably a recumbent bicycle. A simulated environment (e.g., an interactive simulated three-dimensional environment or an interactive simulated three-dimensional fluid environment) is generated by a computer and displayed on a display system for the user. In one embodiment, the simulated environment comprises an enclosed space representing a game field. In this embodiment, an interactive competitive ball game is played using networked exercise apparatus. The user manipulates the exercise mechanism, the steering mechanism, and the control mechanism to travel throughout the game field and interact with virtual objects to score points. The computer controls the exercise mechanism and monitors the exercise mechanism, the steering mechanism, and the control mechanism to determine user position and the position of virtual objects in the simulated environment. The display provides a visual display of the user's position and the position of virtual objects in the simulated environment. A plurality of the interactive exercise apparatus can be networked together to allow group participation and competition in the simulated game.

Interactive exercise apparatus

An exercise system includes a local system having an exercise apparatus and an associated local computer, where the local computer controls and monitors the operation and use, respectively, of the exercise apparatus. The system further includes a remote system having a remote computer, and a transmission medium including a telephone line that couples the local system to the remote system for data communication between the local system and the remote system. The remote system may receive local system data from the local system concerning the use of the exercise apparatus, and the local system may receive remote system data from the remote system concerning the operation of the exercise apparatus. The local computer preferably controls the operation of the exercise apparatus based upon a modifiable script stored in a read/write memory of the local computer, which can be updated by the remote system. A method for controlling an exercise apparatus includes running a modifiable script on a local computer to control the use and to monitor the operation of an exercise apparatus, and communicating with a remote system to provide the remote system with data concerning the use of the exercise apparatus. The script is stored in read/write memory of the local computer and remote system data received from the remote system may include at least a portion of a new script to be stored in the read/write memory of the local computer.

Method and apparatus for remote interactive exercise and health equipment

An exercise device is configured to enable a user to interact with a trainer in real-time communication. The exercise device includes an exercise mechanism having a movable element for movement in performance of exercise by a user. Communicating with the exercise mechanism is an interface adapted for gathering a first real-time signal from the user. The interface communicates with a communication system for receiving a packetized second real-time signal including a synchronized control signal from the trainer. The exercise device includes an output device configured to reproduce the second real-time signal. The control signals carried by the second signal are used to control the operating parameters of the exercise mechanism in real-time.

Systems for interaction with exercise device

An exercise system including a support base and an operable member movably coupled to the support base. Electrically coupled to the operable member is an interface console. The interface console includes a plurality of speed level keys and a plurality of grade level keys. The speed level keys enable a user to selected different pre-set speeds of the operable member, while the grade level keys enable a user to select different pre-set grades of the operable member. Associated with the speed level and grade level keys are incremental keys that enable a user to incrementally increase and/or decrease the speed, grade, or resistance of the exercise system.

System and method for selective adjustment of exercise apparatus

Systems and methods for providing two-way communication between an exercise device (12a) and a computer device (14). A computer device (14) and an exercise device (12a) employ different protocol formats and communicate through a translator device (13), which includes a microcontroller specifically designed to translate data or signals deliverable by different communication protocols. The exercise device (12a), the computer device (14), or a user at either the exercise or computer device may initiate the communication. The enabled communication allows for such features as the performance of an automatic diagnostic analysis on the exercise device, the programming of internal parameters of the exercise device upon identifying specific components, the monitoring of any measurable parameter of the user, the providing of instructional direction and/or encouragement relating to a particular exercise routine, the controlling of the amount of resistance experienced by the user of the exercise device, and other interactions facilitated by the translator device.

Systems and methods for enabling two-way communication between one or more exercise devices and computer devices and for enabling users of the one or more exercise devices to competitively exercise

An exercising apparatus is disclosed which simulates stair-climbing. In order to reduce breakage problems in the force-transmitting structure between each pedal and a one-way rotating drive shaft, a pair of pulley wheels, each associated with a pair of cables, are used. Each pulley wheel rotates the drive shaft, and is pulled in one direction of rotation by a pedal-connected cable, and in the other direction of rotation by a cable connected to a return spring. Each cable on each pulley wheel reels into and out of helical grooves formed in the periphery of the pulley wheel.

Exercise apparatus having high durability mechanism for user energy transmission

An exercise apparatus is disclosed which simulates a stair climber, and which determines the amount of user exercise by the speed of rotation of a flywheel (80). The speed of the flywheel is controlled to maintain the desired speed of stair climbing by a friction belt (82) engaging the flywheel (80). A rotary electrical motor (84) is moved in one direction to tighten the belt (82) on the flywheel (80) and in the opposite direction to loosen the belt (82) on the flywheel. A slack sensor (98) determines whether the motor (84) has been moved to a limit in the belt-loosening direction. Incremental changes of motor energy are used to gradually reduce an error signal between command speed and actual speed. Pulse width modulation is used to vary the motor energy in accordance with the size of the error signal.

Exercise apparatus and method which simulate stair climbing

A stationary exercise cycle is disclosed having a drive wheel (40) which receives both user driving force and automatically controlled friction brake resistance, i.e., it is a single stage device. Freewheeling is pivoted between a user driven shaft and the periphery of the drive wheel, which is braked by a friction belt (60). Automatic resistance control is provided by an electronic system, which receives actual load information from a load cell, and RPM information from a speed sensor. The friction belt is tightened or loosened by a motor driven pulley, in response to signals indicating an 'error' between load command and actual load.

Stationary exercise device having load-controlling braking system

There is provided an auditory feedback swim training device for use by a swimmer. The device includes a flow meter connectable to the swimmer and configured to measure a flow rate of fluid while the swimmer is swimming. A control unit determines a speed or distance of the swimmer from the measured flow rate. A selection tool is in operative communication with the control unit and configured to receive a user input corresponding to desired swimming performance data. An auditory feedback device is wearable by the swimmer while swimming and in operative communication with the control unit. The control unit is configured to derive the desired swimming performance data from the determined speed of the swimmer and generate a feedback signal corresponding to the derived swimming performance data. The auditory playback device is configured to project an audible signal corresponding to the feedback signal while the swimmer is swimming.

Auditory feedback device and method for swimming speed

An exercising apparatus is disclosed which simulates stair-climbing. In order to reduce breakage problems in the force-transmitting structure between each pedal (70) and a one-way rotating drive shaft (110), a pair of pulley wheels (90) each associated with a pair of cables, are used. Each pulley wheel rotates the drive shaft, and is pulled in one direction of rotation by a pedal-connected cable (88, 114), and in the other direction of rotation by a cable (98) connected to a return spring (120). Each cable on each pulley wheel reels into and out of helical grooves formed in the periphery of the pulley wheel.

Michael Sweeney

Papers

Exercise apparatus having high durability mechanism for user energy transmission

Exercise apparatus and method which simulate stair climbing

Stationary exercise device having load-controlling braking system

Auditory feedback device and method for swimming speed

User energy transmission for exercise apparatus.