Fitness equipment with multimedia player   

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1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a fitness equipment, a multimedia system, and multimedia content, that are tailored to the fitness equipment.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.

Prior to this present invention, there have existed a number of patents directed to a mat and sound system. However, the objects of the prior arts are to provide music to people lying on the mat. None of them have the concept of providing multimedia exercise instructions including music and video guides for workouts. Furthermore, none of them consider the combination of proper multimedia content with targeted fitness equipment as one product, which provides a more convenient way for people to exercise as they wish.

Prior to this present invention, there have existed a number of patents directed to exercise monitoring system. They are not so convenient and casual that they enable the people exercising, especially those requiring different body positioning, to comfortably use a multimedia system, including its audio and visual functions. Furthermore, the prior art patents did not provide multimedia content that guide users on workouts programs that are tailored to the specific fitness equipment.

Nowadays people are more aware of their health and are looking for ways of keeping fit by doing exercise at a convenient time and in a convenient place. Fitness equipment, such as a yoga mat, balance ball, yoga block, abs ball and pilates roller, are designed to help people exercise and keep fit.

However, this fitness equipment is typically required to be used with a proper method. For example, the balance ball is designed with various workout methods to improve strength, balance, flexibility and body-support. However, improper use of the balance ball may cause injuries. Also, a yoga mat is useless without a proper guide on what to do on the mat.

Fitness equipment typically come with written workout instructions, some come also with illustrative drawings. However, it is not easy to read the words while exercising. Some come with an instruction video in video tape, CD or DVD. However, there may not be audio-visual equipment available to play the video. Besides, the audio-visual equipment may not be operated conveniently while exercising. Also, the instructions, in paper form, video tape, CD, etc., maybe stored separately with the fitness equipment and may not be located easily when the user wants to exercise. This new invention provides mobility for exercise instructions, easier for a user to enjoy indoor and outdoor exercise.

Finally, some workout programs are best accompanied by special songs, music, and beats, and each has a different effect tailored to the program.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved combination of fitness equipment and a multimedia system.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a convenient way of doing fitness exercises by integrating equipment, instruction and exercise programs into one product that is easy to operate.

A further object is to attach proper instructions and tailored exercise programs to fitness equipment for users to achieve the best results.

The present invention adds multimedia capabilities to fitness equipment. Through the use of the present invention, multimedia workout guides and exercise programs that were tailored to the fitness equipment can be preloaded with that equipment to provide a convenient one-stop fitness exercise experience to the users. Also, the programs can be downloaded to the equipment via removable solid-state media, such as SD/MMC/CF/MS cards/micro-drive/USB thumb drive/hard-disk, etc.

The invention comprises a multimedia system which is installed into a single hard-case. The hard-case is fastened to a housing which is embedded into the fitness equipment. The housing is located at the surface of the fitness equipment and is convenient for a user to reach while exercising. The multimedia system is detachable from the housing for storage, cleaning, recharge, replacement of batteries, repairing or the like.

Multimedia content that is tailored for that fitness equipment is preloaded to the multimedia system. The multimedia content can be coded in common industrial standards such as MPEG3 and MPEG4. Multimedia contents can also be uploaded to the multimedia system.

The multimedia system contains a memory unit, an interface unit, a processing unit, a power unit, an audio unit, solid-state memory adaptor/slot. It may also contain external wireless earphones and a display unit.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments and aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is the perspective view of one embodiment of the multimedia system.

FIG. 2 is the perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a yoga mat is combined with the multimedia system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is the side elevation view of the embodiment in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is the perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a balance ball is combined with a multimedia system.

FIG. 5 is the perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a pilates roller is combined with a multimedia system.

FIG. 6 is the perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a yoga block is combined with a multimedia system.

FIG. 7 is the perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, wherein an abs ball is combined with a multimedia system.

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar parts. While several exemplary embodiments and features of the present invention are described herein, modifications, adaptations and other implementations are possible, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, substitutions, additions or modifications may be made to the components illustrated in the drawings, and the exemplary methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering or adding steps to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the present invention. Instead, the proper scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of multimedia system which comprises speakers 1, a display 2 and an interface control 3 mounted on a case 4. Inside the case 4, solid-state memories are also installed to store the multimedia content. The speaker can be more than one. The display can be a LCD or a LED. The case can be made of hard or protective material.

FIGS. 2 and 3 both show a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein a yoga mat 5 is combined with the multimedia system 6. Housing 7 is embedded into the yoga mat 5. The multimedia system 6 is fastened to housing 7. Yoga lessons videos can be played on the display, which users can follow to learn yoga exercises more effectively. In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the multimedia system 6 can be at the same surface level as the yoga mat 5.

Referring to FIG. 4, a balance ball 8 is combined with at least one multimedia system 9 which contains a speaker 10, a display 11 and an interface panel 12. Users can play the multimedia content to learn how to use the balance ball and work on preset programs.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a pilates roller 13 is combined with a multimedia system 14, which contains a speaker 15, a display 16 and an interface panel 17. Workout guides and music designed for the roller can be played while exercising.

FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a yoga block 22 is combined with a multimedia system 18, which contains 2 speakers 19, a display 20 and an interface panel 21. Workout guides and music designed for the yoga block can be played while exercising.

FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of the present invention, wherein an abs ball 23 is combined with a multimedia system 24, which contains a speaker 25, a display 26 and an interface panel 27. Workout guides and music designed for the abs ball can be played while exercising.

The multimedia system is an electronics play-back system with internal memory. The memory unit is made of solid-state memories. Multimedia contents are preloaded to these memories.

The interface unit provides an interface for users to control the operation of the multimedia system. The controls include power on/off, playback control, program selection, volume control, brightness control, or the likes. The interface unit comprises an USB adapter to connect to external digital storage equipment for multimedia contents upload. It can also interface with external storage equipment via transmission technology such as Bluetooth, wi-fi, radio frequency, infra-red or the like.

The speaker unit contains at least one speaker which can reproduce the audio of the preloaded multimedia contents. The preferred embodiment contains 2 speakers located at the left and right side of the surface of the casing, capable of producing stereo sounds. The speaker unit can also transmit the audio signal to an external wireless earphone through Bluetooth or the like transmission technology. In another preferred embodiment, it may also have an external wireless earphone in place of or in addition to the speaker unit, as the case may be.

The display unit contains a display that can produce visual contents. It helps the interface unit to interact with users. It also displays the visual of the preloaded multimedia content. The preferred embodiment contains an LCD/LED panel located at the center of the surface of the casing. The size of the panel is flexible depending on the need of visual contents and the actual area available on the surface of the casing.

The processing unit controls the operation of the multimedia system. It accept instructions from the interface unit, retrieves multimedia contents from the memory unit, decode the contents and sends output signal to the speaker unit, display unit and the aroma unit according to the multimedia contents.

The power unit provides the necessary power to drive the multimedia system. It accepts input from replaceable battery, rechargeable battery, solar cells (optional or not), AC power or DC power. The preferred embodiment has the power unit installed at the bottom of the casing. There are covered hard-casing to store batteries and adapters to connect to power sources.

All units of the multimedia system are connected by necessary wiring. The whole system is embedded into a case, which in preferred embodiments may be a single hard-case, with all wiring unseen. The interface unit, speaker unit, display unit and power unit have certain part installed to the outside of the hard-case. In preferred embodiments, no visible wires are outside the case.

In preferred embodiments, the case housing the multimedia system may be fastened by elastic strap, zipper, or alternatively by tape or buttons. Therefore, such case and the multimedia system, together or separately can be detached from the fitness equipment conveniently.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and should not be considered restrictive of the scope of the invention, as described and claimed. Further, features and/or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, embodiments of the present invention may be directed to various combinations and sub-combinations of the features described in the detailed description.