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Exercise apparatus with spoken messagesExercise apparatus with spoken messages description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080103024, Exercise apparatus with spoken messages. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]1. Field of the Invention [0002]This invention relates generally to the field of exercise equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to a programmed exercise machine with adjustable configurations, which may be either manually adjusted or electromechanically controlled by a program, wherein an audio program matched with the configuration of the machine is presented to the exerciser. [0003]2. Background [0004]The benefits of exercise are well known, and a wide variety of exercise machines are available for both cardiovascular conditioning and strength training. Some manufacturers of exercise equipment have begun offering machines with programmed exercise routines. Octane Fitness offers "X-Mode" and "Heart Logic" programs for exercise equipment. Life Fitness offers treadmills with workout programs. The T9700HRT treadmill from Vision Fitness offers a "scrolling message center" in the control console. Motivational messages scroll across the console at appropriate points during a workout, such as: "Great job, you're halfway there!" or "Stride out and control your breathing." Requiring the exerciser to read feedback or workout encouragement is not as effective as providing spoken encouragement and feedback. It is optimal to have both visual and audio encouragement and feedback. [0005]Devices that provide visual and audio information in connection with a related activity are well known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,573 discloses a visual and sound display that is activated by turning pages of an associated book. [0006]U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0171189 and related U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,857,939; 6,251,048 and 6,582,342, all by Arthur H. Kaufman, disclose an audible electronic exercise activity monitor for monitoring the performance of an exercise. The device has a memory for storing sound data corresponding to a plurality of values associated with the exercise activity. An activity detector is responsive to motion associated with the performance of the exercise to output a corresponding signal. A processor receives the signal and retrieves a block of corresponding sound data. A speech generator then generates a naturally-sounding human voice or reproduces a pre-stored version of an actual human voice in accordance with the sound data stored in the memory. The speech generator is controlled by the processor in response to the activity detector to provide a verbal representation of the user's performance of the activity. Motivational speech may also be generated to encourage correct and continued performance of the activity. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007]An exercise machine, particularly a machine for performing cardiovascular exercises, has an electronic program for controlling certain adjustable exercise parameters. These parameters, which depend on the particular type of exercise machine, may include platform inclination, pedal surface incline and configuration (shape), speed, resistance, and other variations of the workout mode. The program also provides voice and visual stimuli to explain and encourage a workout. Voice messages may describe and explain any change in an exercise program, e.g.; mechanical change of the machine or speed or resistance change. Additional voice messages may then suggest user workout variations and encourage the user through the exercise. The machine may have manual adjustment of exercise parameters and sensors to recognize the position of the parameters to provide workout information, description and training suggestions. Console controls allow the user to choose between a male or female voice. Additional controls allow the user to select voice messages corresponding to different experience or intensity levels of exercise. The voice messages can be turned on or off by the user at any point during a workout program and, when turned back on, will automatically pick up where the user is in the program. Visual stimuli comprise pictures of workout modes with names and/or descriptions adjacent. A lighting effect can be used to show the user which picture relates to the workout being performed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008]FIG. 1 shows one example of an exercise machine suitable for use with the present invention. [0009]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a control system for implementing the present invention. [0010]FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a potion of a control console for use with one embodiment of the present invention. [0011]FIG. 4 is a detailed view of another portion of a control console for use with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0012]In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. [0013]The present invention provides improved programming for exercise machines. Various adjustable features or exercise parameters on aerobic exercise machines such as platform elevation, running surface inclination, speed, pedal surface configuration, resistance, and other variations in workout modes that tax muscles differently or allow the user to target a specific muscle group more easily are manually adjustable or electromechanically controlled by an electronic program. In the case of programmed adjustments, the program adjusts the various parameters throughout an exercise routine and provides a voice description, information, voice training and encouragement corresponding to each adjustment configuration. The voice can be manually turned on or off, and when turned on at any specific point in a programmed exercise routine, the electronics will start the voice program at the location appropriate for the specific point in the exercise routine. The voice may be a continually running recording in which the speaker is simply turned on or off such that at any point the voice is turned on, the recording is already at the correct point in the exercise program. For manually adjustable parameters, the voice would give workout information, description, training suggestions and encouragement for the selected adjustment. [0014]A demonstration program may be used to show the features and changes of the exercise parameters. An actual workout program may rotate through various configurations of exercise parameters and workout variations, such as, in the case of a pedal exerciser, spinning backward or forward with each pedal position, and bending more at the knees for portions of a pedal variation, etc. Each program may have a visual representation of the control console with lights moving in a circle around picture schematics showing the training method and stopping/lighting the mode currently in use. [0015]FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise apparatus 10 in which the present invention may be embodied. In this example, apparatus 10 is, in most respects, a conventional treadmill. The speed and incline of the treadmill may be adjusted by the exerciser using controls on control console 12. In addition to manual control of these functions, the exerciser may select a programmed exercise routine that automatically adjusts the speed and incline of the treadmill in accordance with programmed parameters. During the course of the programmed exercise routine, the exerciser receives spoken messages from speaker 14 (or from optional headphones not shown) describing certain aspects of the exercise routine and also providing encouragement. [0016]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a control system for implementing the present invention. The control system may be incorporated into any of a variety of exercise machines, aerobic or strength, including but not limited to a treadmill as illustrated in FIG. 1. The exercise machine has at least one physically adjustable exercise parameter 20. In the example of a treadmill, the adjustable exercise parameters include the speed of the treadmill and the incline of the treadmill. Other exercise machines each have their own unique set of adjustable parameters. For example, a striding exerciser may have pedals that can be adjusted to different configurations. [0017]The state of the adjustable exercise parameters may be controlled by an electronic program 22. Such program may be implemented as a set of instructions in a microprocessor. The program may be preloaded by the manufacturer of the exercise machine or may be loaded by the exerciser with a storage medium, such as a CD-ROM or flash drive. Alternatively, the exercise machine may be configured with a simple connector to receive programs from a personal computer or directly from the Internet. Furthermore, programs may be entered directly by the exerciser using controls 24 on the control console of the exercise device. [0018]A voice message delivery unit 28 receives signals from the electronic program 22 to provide appropriate messages to the exerciser via speaker 14. The voice message delivery unit may be implemented as a routine within the electronic program 22 using either recorded or synthesized speech. [0019]Certain exercise parameters may be adjusted directly by the exerciser. For example, many exercise machines use selectable weight stacks to provide exercise resistance. Typically, the exerciser manually selects a desired level of resistance before beginning an exercise set. When such adjustments are made, a sensor 26 may provide data concerning the adjustable exercise parameter to the electronic program 22. The sensor can also be used to provide feedback to the electronic program as to the condition of programmed exercise adjustments. [0020]Sensors need not be provided for all exerciser-adjustable parameters. Instead, appropriate controls may be provided on the control console with which the exerciser may designate a selected adjustment of a parameter as shown in FIG. 3. In this example, four different foot pedal configurations are graphically depicted on a control console 12'. Each of buttons 31-34 is associated with one of the depictions. When the exerciser manually adjusts the pedals to one of the configurations, the exerciser presses the corresponding button, thereby notifying the electronic program of the selected configuration. The voice message delivery unit then provides voice messages appropriate for that configuration of the pedals. Continue reading about Exercise apparatus with spoken messages... Full patent description for Exercise apparatus with spoken messages Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Exercise apparatus with spoken messages patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20090298650 - Method and system for interactive fitness training program - A system and method of providing an interactive training program by monitoring a user's actions is disclosed. A user is prompted through the interactive training program to perform certain movements, the user's movements are monitored relative to the prompted movements, and feedback is provided to the user through the program. ... ###  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. 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