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Exercise apparatus and method for tracking number of stepsRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Involving User Translation Or Physical Simulation Thereof, Treadmill For Foot TravelExercise apparatus and method for tracking number of steps description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050272564, Exercise apparatus and method for tracking number of steps. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0001] Many people rely on programs of physical exercise to attain and to maintain health. Several such programs require that a person perform a daily minimum amount of exercise. For example, the 10,000-step program requires that a person perform a minimum of 10,000 steps of walking, running or the like each day for an average cumulative distance of over 5 miles. [0002] In order to achieve this type of goal, many people wear a pedometer throughout their day to monitor the number of steps completed while walking about or running. The minimum number of steps may be completed on a piece of exercise machine such as a treadmill. A problem arises, however, in enabling accurate tracking of the cumulative total steps achieved both on and off of the exercise machine with minimal effort on the part of the person performing the exercise. [0003] Information potentially relevant to attempts to address these and related motivational problems can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,972 to Takano et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,266 to Sweeney, Sr. et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2004/0063547A1 to Wong et al.; 2001/0031031A1 to Ogawa et al.; Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 2001299732A to Ya Man Ltd.; 2000356529A to Narutomi Hanako; 11056819A to Hitachi Ltd.; and, 11076453 to Senoh Corp. However, each of these references suffers from one or more of the following disadvantages: (1) it requires that a user manually transfer data on number of steps achieved while off the exercise machine from a pedometer to an exercise machine; (2) it requires that an elaborate estimation of stride- or strike-length be made in order to convert time spent on the exercise machine to number of steps, leading to inaccurate equivalent step counts, failure to account for variations in a user's stride length over time and limiting use of the equipment to one user of known stride-length; (3) it relies on elaborate mechanisms within the exercise machine to detect number of steps; and/or, (4) it relies on the pedometer, with its limited capacity for processing and storage of data, for calculation and storage of cumulative step data limiting its longer term tracking and logging capabilities. [0004] For the foregoing reasons there is a need for an exercise apparatus that enables accurate and automatic tracking of number of steps taken by a user on and off of an exercise machine. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0005] The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for employing same that satisfy the need for an exercise apparatus that enables accurate and automatic tracking of number of steps taken by a user on and off of an exercise machine. The apparatus is an exercise apparatus for use in accurately tracking number of steps taken by a user on and off of an exercise machine that solves the above-discussed problems. [0006] In one version, the exercise apparatus comprises a step counter for continually counting a cumulative number of steps taken by a user throughout a period of time both while the user is on and off of an exercise machine, the step counter comprising a first communication means for periodically communicating a current value of the cumulative number of steps taken by the user to a console of the exercise machine while the user is on the exercise machine; and, the console that comprises a second communication means for periodically receiving the current cumulative number of steps from the step counter while the user uses the exercise machine. The console may further comprise a data processor for calculating a progress indication and a display. [0007] In another version, the step counter comprises an accelerometer to determine step count. [0008] In another version, communication between the first and second communication means is wireless. [0009] In another version, communication between the first and second communication means is wired. [0010] In another version, the console or the step counter further comprises a memory means for the storage of user-specific historical data. [0011] In another version, the exercise apparatus further comprises a memory means and the console further comprises a third communication means for communicating user-specific data to the memory means. [0012] In yet another version, a method for employing the exercise apparatus described above is disclosed. [0013] Several objects and advantages of the present invention are: (a) to provide an exercise apparatus that enables a user to easily and accurately track number of steps taken each day in order to facilitate accomplishment of a goal number of steps; (b) to provide an apparatus with communication means between components that eliminates the need for manual input of step count by a user to an exercise machine; (c) to provide an apparatus that improves accuracy of step count data by restricting sensing of steps taken to one device, a step counter such as a pedometer, which is employed while the user is exercising both on and off of an exercise machine, thus eliminating errors that result when data are combined across devices; (d) to improve the accuracy of step count by employing a step counter that uses an accelerometer to determine step count; and, (e) to further enable storing and analysis of historical data by user for the tracking of performance over time. [0014] The reader is advised that this summary is not meant to be exhaustive. Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, accompanying drawings and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0015] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which: [0016] FIG. 1, shows a version of the exercise apparatus comprising a console and a step counter; [0017] FIG. 2, shows a version of the exercise apparatus in use with a treadmill and where communication between the console and step counter is wireless; [0018] FIG. 3, shows a version of the exercise apparatus in use with a treadmill and where communication between the console and step counter is wired; [0019] FIG. 4, shows a version of the display of the console; and, [0020] FIG. 5, shows a version of the exercise apparatus wherein the memory means is separate from the console and wherein communication between the console and the memory means is wireless. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Continue reading about Exercise apparatus and method for tracking number of steps... Full patent description for Exercise apparatus and method for tracking number of steps Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Exercise apparatus and method for tracking number of steps patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Exercise apparatus and method for tracking number of steps or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Lower muscle training device Next Patent Application: Safety device for treadmills Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Exercise apparatus and method for tracking number of steps patent info. 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