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  Method and apparatus of counting steps for treadmillUSPTO Application #: 20080032870Title: Method and apparatus of counting steps for treadmill Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus of counting steps for a treadmill. The method measures a load exerted on the treadmill and detects the number of instant loads caused by a user applying a force by the user's legs for each time of the exercise to count the steps of leg exercise during an exercise. The treadmill includes a treadmill body, a load detection unit, a display unit, and a base of the treadmill. The base has a motor and a treadmill belt, and the load detection unit is provided for detecting the load exerted on the motor and recording the number of instant loads of the motor, and the display unit is electrically connected to the load detection unit for outputting the number of loads of the motor. (end of abstract)
Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee - Ellicott City, MD, US Inventor: Shen Yi Wu USPTO Applicaton #: 20080032870 - Class: 482 54 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080032870. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]1. Field of the Invention [0002]The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus of counting steps for a treadmill, and more particularly to a method and an apparatus of measuring a step count of an exerciser on a treadmill by an instant load. [0003]2. Description of the Related Art [0004]When users are doing exercises, they usually keep track of the time and quantity of the exercises and the exercise time is generally measured by a regular stopwatch. However, it is not objective to evaluate the quantity of exercise per day simply by the exercise time, and it is not easy to evaluate the quantity of exercise by the exercise time either, because every user may do exercise in different ways. Therefore, it is more objective to measure the quantity and time of exercise for the same kind of exercises. [0005]As to the common exercises: jogging and walking, a general pedometer available in the market can be used to count the steps of an exerciser's walking or jogging, so as to let exercisers know about their physical conditions and the quantity of exercises. [0006]However, it is necessary to wear a pedometer on an exerciser's body for counting the steps of walking and jogging, and thus it causes inconvenience to exercisers. Furthermore, an exerciser may not feel comfortable or get used to the wearing of a pedometer while doing exercises, and thus the prior art requires improvements. [0007]For general treadmills, users can select their desired exercise modes (including exercise time, exercise type, and exercise speed, etc), but users still cannot be aware of the quantity of their exercise. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008]In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the inventor of the invention based on years of experience in the related industry to conduct extensive researches and experiments, and finally invented a method and an apparatus of counting steps for treadmill in accordance with the present invention. [0009]Therefore, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a feasible solution and overcome the foregoing problems by providing a method and an apparatus of counting steps for a treadmill, such that exercisers no longer need to wear a pedometer, but directly read the step count of their walking or jogging from the treadmill. When exercisers are using the treadmill, they can control the quantity of exercises on their own. [0010]A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a procedure of determining the load of a treadmill, such that the motor will stop operating, either there is no load in predetermined discrete time or during continuous load of the treadmill. [0011]To achieve the foregoing objectives, the present invention provides a method of counting steps for a treadmill that comprises the steps of using an existing treadmill with a motor and a treadmill belt as a basis, and the motor drives the treadmill belt to operate, and the treadmill belt is provided for a user to pedal; measuring a load exerted on the treadmill, and detecting the number of times of an instant load of the motor caused by applying a force by an exerciser's legs for each time of the exercise, and counting the steps performed by the exerciser's exercise, and displaying the step count of the user's legs. [0012]The present invention also provides a treadmill that comprises: [0013]a treadmill body, having a base, a motor and a treadmill belt installed at the base, and the motor is installed at a side of the base and has two tracks, and the treadmill belt is wound circularly between the two tracks of the base, and the treadmill belt is driven to rotate by the motor; [0014]a load detection unit, for detecting a load exerted on the motor and recording the number of instant loads of the motor in the same time; and [0015]a display unit, electrically coupled to the load detection unit, for outputting the number of loads of the motor. [0016]The present invention also provides a load determination step that measures a load exerted on said treadmill, and separately defines a continuous load and a discrete load; [0017]a continuous load is exerted onto the motor by a user, such that the motor will be controlled to stop operating, if the load is determined as a continuous load; and [0018]a discrete load, exerted onto the motor, such that a predetermined discrete time will be used to determine whether or not the user stops moving if the load is determined as a discrete load; the motor will keep on operating if another load shows up in the motor within a discrete time; and the motor will be controlled to stop operating if no more load is in the motor within a discrete time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a method of counting steps in accordance with the present invention; [0020]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the structure of a treadmill in accordance with the present invention; [0021]FIG. 3 is a schematic view of operating a treadmill in accordance with the present invention; and Continue reading... Full patent description for Method and apparatus of counting steps for treadmill Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus of counting steps for treadmill patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20080242518 - Proprioceptive/kinesthetic apparatus and method - Proprioceptive or kinesthetic exercise methods and apparatus are described. In one embodiment, a proprioceptive treadmill is described that comprises a foot-contact running surface that rotates about a pair of spaced pulleys, the running surface comprising at least one protuberance protruding upwards from the running surface. Proprioceptive exercise surfaces, exercise bicycles, ... ###  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 Method and apparatus of counting steps for treadmill or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Variable stride exercise device with ramp Next Patent Application: Multifunctional exercise treadmill with sensor for activating motor driven tread belt or not in response to force exerted upon the tread belt for additionally exercising either foot muscles or both foot and hand muscles Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and apparatus of counting steps for treadmill patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 2.11957 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , |
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