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Internet enabled motivational exercise system and apparatusInternet enabled motivational exercise system and apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080032864, Internet enabled motivational exercise system and apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]During the 90's, the percentage of overweight and obese people in the United States jumped to over 60 percent. Perhaps as disturbing is the trend for our youth to be overweight as well. Heart disease and other health problems are believed to be the result of our ever increasing waistlines. Although experts seem to be continually changing their recommendations concerning our diet, almost all agree that exercising is an important component to a healthy lifestyle. While our ancestors tended to work at much more physical jobs that made the need for regimented and consistent exercise less important, the modern lifestyle filled with time and labor saving devices combined with an increase in "office" jobs and television and video entertainment has really heightened the need for deliberate exercise. [0002]An explosion in health clubs and gyms has accompanied our desire to trim down, but the majority of people who join these establishments drop out after only a short period of time. Many people purchase home exercise equipment and many of these devices become clothes racks or dust catchers as people find themselves unmotivated to use them after a period of time. Many people perceive themselves to be too busy or tired to exercise and prefer to relax in front of the television or computer monitor as they surf the internet. Often people tend to "lose track of time" chatting with friends, reading and writing emails, shopping, etc. while browsing the world wide web, but this does little to help with exercise. [0003]A need exists for an exercise apparatus and system appealing to users that lack a high level of commitment to an exercise program and allows them to engage in other activities while exercising. Additionally, a need exists for an exercise apparatus that motivates and rewards the user; thereby encouraging continued exercising and adoption of a healthier lifestyle. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004]An exercise system and apparatus comprises an internet enabled display device operatively connected to the exercise apparatus such as a treadmill allowing a user to exercise while using the internet for emailing, shopping or general browsing. At least one thumb activated input device is disposed on a gripping area of the apparatus allowing a user to control a pointing device while exercising. In order to motivate the user to maintain and meet optimum physiological reading parameters, the apparatus utilizes a control system that varies the output to the display device depending on the user's activity. If the heart-rate or other physiological reading indicator is outside of selected goal parameters, the display becomes less useable. As the user adjusts the level of exercise output and returns to within the acceptable parameters, the display is restored to optimum usability. [0005]Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention. [0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view an alternative embodiment of the present invention. [0008]FIG. 3 is a perspective of view of yet another embodiment of the present invention. [0009]FIG. 4 is a front view showing a console display according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0010]FIG. 5 is a front view showing a console display according to another embodiment of the present invention. [0011]FIG. 6 is a front view of a thumb input device according to the present invention. [0012]FIG. 7 is a side view of a thumb input device according to the present invention. [0013]FIG. 8 is a flow chart depicting the logic of the control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0014]Reference is now made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements. FIGS. 1-3 show an exercise apparatus of the present invention in which the exercise apparatus 5 comprises a frame 12 made of metal or other suitably strong material to stabilize apparatus 5. Frame 12 has nonskid treads (not shown) or pads along a bottom portion therein to ensure that exercise apparatus 5 does not move during use. Although frame 12 is shown having a substantially rectangular shape, it is understood that other configurations such as a tubular frame are suitable. [0015]A vertical support and handrail 30 is provided to allow the user to comfortably and safely mount exercise apparatus 5 and to provide a gripping portion during use. Vertical support and handrail 30 has only one full support side and a smaller rail section on an opposite side. This enables easy access to exercise apparatus 5. Although exercise apparatus 5 is shown having only one full size handrail 30, same size handrails would be acceptable and rails could extend the full length of frame 12 or any length less than full. [0016]A tread 10 is provided allowing the user to walk, jog or run depending on personal selection settings. Tread 10 rolls on rollers (not shown) rotatably connected to frame 12 as is known in the art. Tread 10 is controlled by circuitry allowing the user to select the level of activity desired with the system programming making the required adjustments in the performance of tread 10 as is known in the art. Of course, other apparatus would be suitable for use with the present invention such as a stair climber (not shown), stationary bicycle (not shown), or any other suitable exercise apparatus. [0017]A housing 35 encloses the electronics (not shown) necessary to operate exercise apparatus 5 as is known in the art. Additionally, housing 35 covers an internet enabled device (not shown) such as a computer with an internet connection. A display device 15 displays both exercise specific information and internet content depending on user input. Display 15 is a touch sensitive LCD panel as is known in the art and allows the user to input selected information such as age, weight, sex, etc. enabling a control program to tailor specific exercise routines and goals as is known in the art. Of course, other displays could be used such as plasma screen or CRT device to display the required information. Input could be provided in the form of a keyboard instead of touch screen. [0018]At least one USB port 25 is provided to allow a user a convenient way to store personal information without the need to enter the information prior to each use. A flash card (not shown) is inserted into USB port 25 and is read by the computer (not shown) as is known in the art. Each user simply inserts a personal memory device into USB port 25 for customized exercise activities without the need for constant re-entry of information. Other embodiments are suitable such as an internal hard drive accessible by computer (not shown) to allow customization without re-entry of information. Multiple users could be accommodated depending on the size of the memory unit (not shown) installed. Additionally, USB port 25 could be located at any other convenient location such as on housing 35 or handrail 30. To allow the user to input information while exercising, at least one thumb operated input device 20 is disposed on handrail 30. Other input configurations are acceptable such as WiFi, Bluetooth, infrared, etc as is known in the art. [0019]Now referring to FIG. 2, a computer 40 is mounted directly on display 15 as is known in the art. In this embodiment, control systems are implemented within software instructions run by a CPU (not shown) as is known in the art. Physiological information is graphically displayed on display 15 and the user enters information by touching the appropriate area of display 15 as is known in the art. An internet connection such as DSL, T1, dial-up modem, WiFi or any other suitable connection as is known in the art is used to connect computer 40 to the internet. [0020]With reference to FIG. 3, an embodiment is shown having a physiological readings console 45 mounted on handrail 30 allowing continuous monitoring of physiological readings without requiring space on display 15. Although console 45 is shown appearing below display 15, other arrangements are contemplated such as a side mounted console (not shown), top mounted console (not shown) or mounting console 45 to some other convenient location. Continue reading about Internet enabled motivational exercise system and apparatus... Full patent description for Internet enabled motivational exercise system and apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Internet enabled motivational exercise system and apparatus 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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