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Integrated tilting display for exercise equipment consolesRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Having Specific Electrical Feature, Equipment ControlIntegrated tilting display for exercise equipment consoles description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070225119, Integrated tilting display for exercise equipment consoles. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] 1. The Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to exercise equipment and more particularly to display and control consoles for exercise equipment such as treadmills and stationary bicycles. [0003] 2. Background [0004] As in other industries, designers in the exercise equipment industry face challenges if they try to incorporate modem technological advances into traditional exercise equipment, which may include, for example, stationary bicycles, treadmills, elliptical machines, rowing machines, stair climbers, nautilus machines, and the like. Compared to relatively simple devices of the past, modem exercise devices now could incorporate many sophisticated computers and electronics but must often deal with the position and posture dictated by the user and the activity. Technology could enable a user to perform tasks such as tailoring an exercise program to a user's fitness level, selecting a preferred training method, adjusting a device to a user's weight, controlling speed, monitoring body functions, adjusting resistance, and the like. Moreover, modem exercise devices could allow a user to track and monitor a user's progress on the device while exercising. However, access, visibility, and interaction need to be compatible with a user and not a distraction or a burden. [0005] Typically, a control console provides the primary means of interaction between a user and a functional device. An exercise console may include input devices, such as keypads, keyboards, buttons, or the like, to receive user input and thereby allow a user to program and control an exercise device. An exercise console may also include a display device to display pertinent information, such as workout progress, program settings, speed, resistance levels, and the like. For example, light emitting diode ("LED") displays have been used in various devices to display information. Such LED displays often include arrays or other arrangements of LEDs and provide a bright, low-power solution for displaying information. However, LED displays are limited by low resolution and very few available colors. [0006] More recently, newer displays, such as liquid crystal displays ("LCDs"), offer higher resolutions and greater arrays of available colors. Moreover, LCDs could be used to display entertainment, such as television, movies, music videos, and the like, in addition to workout information. Nevertheless, LCDs also have their drawbacks. For example, LCDs may be significantly more expensive than LED displays, less bright, less contrasting, more subject to glare, and subject to a much narrower viewing angle. [0007] Problems with the viewing angle may be especially pronounced in exercise devices used at gyms, where patrons of different heights may use the same device. For example if a separate pivoting LCD were attached to the top of an exercise console, this configuration would be expensive, cumbersome, require multiple components, and obstruct a user's field of view. This could also affect the affordability and market competitiveness of an exercise device in an industry where there are significant pressures to keep costs low. [0008] Another problem with modem processor-based equipment and controllers, including exercise consoles, is the learning curve often needed to operate and use such devices. It is difficult for users to learn how to use the unique programming scheme, let alone recall it when needed. That is, as the sophistication of control consoles increases, the complexity of operation often likewise increases. Where buttons are provided on the exercise console, it may be time-consuming for a user to determine which buttons to push and the order in which to push them. Furthermore, a user may not have the time or patience to read and refer repeatedly to a user manual. Likewise, using exercise time to read through instructions printed in a small font at an awkward distance on the device or an associated exercise console may be considered a waste. This can be especially frustrating for the technologically challenged or phobic or the user who switches between different exercise devices at a club. This may also discourage some from exercising at all due to the inconvenience involved in getting a device to serve them. [0009] In view of the foregoing, what is needed is an exercise console that takes advantage of newer LCD technology, while avoiding many of the shortcomings discussed herein. Specifically, an exercise console is needed that can incorporate LCD technology while accommodating users of different heights. Such a device would ideally be inexpensive, simple, and adaptable to accommodate a user's field of view. [0010] Further needed are apparatus and methods for reducing the learning curve needed to operate and use many exercise consoles. Where buttons are used on an exercise console, apparatus and methods are needed for quickly indicating to a user which buttons to push and the order to push them. Such apparatus and methods would ideally minimize the amount of time and reading needed to program and operate a device and accommodate the technologically inexperienced, challenged, or phobic. BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0011] Consistent with the foregoing, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, an exercise console is disclosed in one embodiment in accordance with the invention as including a housing and a display incorporated into the housing. The display is adapted to align substantially parallel to the top surface of the housing. A tilt mechanism connects the display to the housing and is operable by a user to tilt the display to a nonparallel angle with respect to the housing. [0012] The tilt mechanism may incorporate a number of different structures to provide the tilting function including, for example, a hinge, a pin, a slide, a land, or the like. Similarly, in selected embodiments, the tilt mechanism may tilt the display about a single axis of rotation. In other embodiments, the tilt mechanism may tilt the display about multiple axes of rotation. In certain embodiments, the exercise console may also include an adjustment mechanism to adjust the angle of the display with respect to the housing. This adjustment mechanism may be continuously adjustable between various positions, or alternatively, be adjustable at discrete positions. The exercise console may also include a handle integrated into the display to facilitate tilting by a user. [0013] In another aspect of an embodiment in accordance with the invention, a method for displaying exercise and entertainment content to a user includes providing a housing and incorporating a display into the housing. The display aligns substantially parallel to the top surface of the housing. The method further includes connecting the display to the housing by way of a tilt mechanism. The tilt mechanism is operable by a user to tilt the display to a nonparallel angle with respect to the housing. The nonparallel angle may be completely arbitrary, continuously variable, or discrete and at the option of a user. [0014] In another aspect of an embodiment in accordance with the invention, a method for guiding a user through programming steps of an exercise console includes providing a substantially fixed array of buttons for interaction with a user. The buttons provide various input options to the user, selectable in a pre-determined sequence by operation of the buttons to program an exercise console. The method further includes selecting, by the user, one or more input options from the several input options. The method then determines which input options are available for selection by the user after selection of the one or more input options. Once this determination is made, the method then automatically indicates to the user which buttons and associated input options are next available for selection. [0015] In another aspect of an embodiment in accordance with the invention, an exercise console includes a housing and a substantially fixed array of buttons incorporated into the housing. The buttons provide a user various input options which are selectable in a pre-determined sequence by operation of the buttons. The selected sequence of input options are used to program the exercise console. Various indicators are associated with the buttons and inform the user which input options are next available for selection after the user has selected one or more input options. [0016] The indicators may include, for example, lights, sounds, or changing colors to indicate which input options are available for selection. Where lights are used, the lights may be LEDs and may be flashing to get the user's attention. In certain embodiments, the lights may be located substantially behind the buttons (i.e., backlighting the buttons), projecting through the buttons, beside them, or illuminating the front. Buttons may be opaque, translucent, transparent, reflective, or the like. In certain embodiments, the exercise console may be configured to wait a specified period to allow a user to select one of the input options. If the user does not act within the specified period, the exercise console may be configured to modify the input options available for next selection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments in accordance with the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: [0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an exercise device in accordance with the invention; [0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an exercise console incorporating an integrated tilting display in accordance with the invention; [0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exercise console illustrated in FIG. 2 with the display in a tilted position with respect to the top surface of the console; [0021] FIGS. 4A through 4D are side elevation views of different embodiments of tilting displays in accordance with the invention; Continue reading about Integrated tilting display for exercise equipment consoles... Full patent description for Integrated tilting display for exercise equipment consoles Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Integrated tilting display for exercise equipment consoles 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 Integrated tilting display for exercise equipment consoles or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Virtual personal training device Next Patent Application: Zero-learning-curve exercise console Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Integrated tilting display for exercise equipment consoles patent info. 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