CN115120929A

CN115120929A - Fitness system and method

Info

Publication number: CN115120929A
Application number: CN202210704768.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·波尔; M·克鲁泽; M·C·科伊罗; J·孔西利奥; N·阿尔肯; B·伊万查; A·威尔海特
Original assignee: Peloton Interactive Inc
Current assignee: Peloton Interactive Inc
Priority date: 2018-01-05
Filing date: 2019-01-04
Publication date: 2022-09-30
Also published as: CA3086924A1; WO2019143488A1; CN111741795B; AU2019209052B2; KR20200096988A; EP3735302A1; AU2023200631A1; EP3735302A4; AU2019209052A1; TWI787428B; CN111741795A; TW201934168A

Abstract

An exercise system and method. A treadmill includes a deck having a continuous track and a plurality of slats fixedly connected to the track. The treadmill further includes: a first post extending from the platen; a second post extending from the deck opposite the first post; and a first arm supported by the first post and including a first rotary control. The treadmill further includes a second arm opposite the first arm and supported by the second post. The second arm includes a second rotary control separate from the first rotary control. The first rotary control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill and the second rotary control is configured to control a second function of the treadmill that is different from the first function.

Description

Fitness system and method

The application is a divisional application of an invention patent application entitled "fitness system and method" with application number 201980007454.2, application date 2019, 01, 04.

Technical Field

The field to which the present application generally relates is exercise equipment and methods associated with exercise equipment. In particular, the present application relates to fitness systems and methods configured to provide streamed and on-demand fitness sessions to one or more users.

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This international application claims priority to U.S. application No. 15/863,596 filed on 5.1.2018, U.S. application No. 15/863,596 is a partial continuation of U.S. application No. 15/686,875 filed on 25.8.8.2017, and U.S. application No. 15/686,875 claims benefit to U.S. provisional application No. 62/380,412 filed on 27.8.2016. The entire disclosure of each of the above applications is incorporated herein by reference.

Background

Humans are by their nature aggressive, trying to make their performance better than their own prior efforts and than others. Humans are also attracted to games and other recreational activities, so that even tasks that are difficult or annoying become attractive by introducing different game elements. Existing home and gym-based fitness systems and methods often lack key features that allow participants to compete with each other, talk with each other, and play fitness activities.

While some existing exercise machines include entertainment devices, such as video displays that present content or performance data to a user as the user exercises, these systems lack the ability to enable the user to truly blend into a competitive or gaming scenario that improves the user's experience and performance. Such systems also lack the ability to facilitate real-time sharing of information, sessions, data, and/or other content between users and between the trainer and one or more users.

To improve the experience and provide a more engaging environment, gyms provide fitness sessions, such as aerobic exercise sessions, yoga sessions, or other sessions, in which coaches lead participants in a wide variety of fitness sessions. However, these course-based experiences are only available at specific times and locations. As a result, these courses are not available to many potential users and are generally quite expensive and often explosive, which results in the inability to reserve courses even for users at locations where gyms can be conveniently reached. Example embodiments of the present disclosure address these issues, providing an exercise machine embodied by an example treadmill that includes multimedia input and output for: live streaming or archived instructional content, social networking audio and video chat, network performance metrics and competitiveness, and a range of gameplay features.

Disclosure of Invention

In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a treadmill includes a deck having a continuous track and a plurality of slats fixedly connected to the track. The treadmill further includes: the first arm includes a first post extending from the deck, a second post extending from the deck opposite the first post, and a first arm supported by the first post and including a first rotational control. The treadmill further includes a second arm opposite the first arm and supported by a second post. The second arm includes a second rotational control separate from the first rotational control. The first rotary control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill and the second rotary control is configured to control a second function of the treadmill that is different from the first function.

In another example embodiment of the present disclosure, a treadmill includes: the controller includes a controller, a first motor operatively connected to the controller, a second motor separate from the first motor and operatively connected to the controller, a first rotational control operatively connected to the controller, and a second rotational control separate from the first rotational control and operatively connected to the controller. In such embodiments, the first rotary control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill associated with the first motor. Additionally, the second rotary control is configured to control a second function of the treadmill associated with the second motor, the second function being different than the first function.

In another example embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing a treadmill includes: an upper assembly is provided that includes a first arm, a second arm opposite the first arm, a first crossbar extending from the first arm to the second arm, and a second crossbar opposite the first crossbar and extending from the first arm to the second arm. Such a method also includes coupling a first rotary control to the first arm, the first rotary control including an outer portion rotatable relative to the first arm and an inner portion including an input device. Such a method further includes coupling a second rotary control to the second arm, the second rotary control including an outer portion rotatable relative to the second arm. Such methods also include operatively connecting the first and second rotational controls to a controller of the treadmill. The first rotary control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill via the controller, and the second rotary control is configured to control a second function of the treadmill via the controller that is different from the first function.

Drawings

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an example exercise machine as disclosed herein shown with a user.

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of another example exercise machine as disclosed herein.

Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of a portion of another example exercise machine as disclosed herein.

Fig. 4 is a rear perspective view of yet another example exercise machine, as disclosed herein, shown with a user.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example exercise machine as disclosed herein, including a diagram of example information displayed on a display screen, a diagram of a personal digital device, and a diagram of dumbbells and other auxiliary devices.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a further example exercise machine as disclosed herein.

Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view of yet another example exercise machine as disclosed herein shown with a user.

Fig. 8 is an illustration of an exemplary user interface of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary components for content authoring and/or content distribution.

Fig. 10 is a schematic illustration of an infrastructure network architecture according to an example embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a chart showing an example embodiment of a method for synchronizing data among different users participating in the same live or on-demand fitness session.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example user interface of the present disclosure that includes information related to a featured workout.

FIG. 13 illustrates another example user interface of the present disclosure that includes information related to a featured workout.

FIG. 14 illustrates a further example user interface of the present disclosure including information related to a course library.

FIG. 15 illustrates another example user interface of the present disclosure that includes information related to a selected workout.

FIG. 16 illustrates yet another example user interface of the present disclosure showing a workout and scorecard.

FIG. 17 illustrates a further example user interface of the present disclosure showing a workout and scorecard.

FIG. 18 illustrates a further example user interface of the present disclosure showing a workout and leaderboard.

FIG. 19 illustrates another example user interface of the present disclosure that includes information related to a run-only user experience.

FIG. 20 illustrates yet another example user interface of the present disclosure that includes information related to a background running path associated with a run-only user experience.

Fig. 21 illustrates a further example user interface of the present disclosure that includes match-related information associated with a running-only user experience.

Fig. 22 illustrates a further example user interface of the present disclosure that includes performance information associated with a particular workout.

FIG. 23 illustrates another example user interface of the present disclosure that includes performance information associated with a particular workout.

FIG. 24 illustrates yet another example user interface of the present disclosure that includes performance information associated with a particular workout.

Figure 25 illustrates an exercise machine according to yet another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 illustrates an exploded view of the example exercise machine shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 illustrates a belt associated with the example exercise machine shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 illustrates a bar plate associated with the example exercise machine shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 29 illustrates another view of the example exercise machine illustrated in FIG. 25 including one or more sensors and one or more controls.

FIG. 30 illustrates a control architecture associated with the example exercise machine shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 31 illustrates an exploded view of the rotary controls associated with the example exercise machine shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 32 illustrates another view of the example exercise machine illustrated in FIG. 25 including a first rotary control and a second rotary control.

FIG. 33 illustrates an exploded view of the generally linear control associated with the example exercise machine shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 34 illustrates another view of the example exercise machine illustrated in FIG. 25 including the first generally linear control and the second generally linear control.

FIG. 35 illustrates a portion of the example exercise machine shown in FIG. 25 including a generally linear control.

Figure 36 provides an isometric view of an example exercise machine according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 37 provides another isometric view of the example exercise machine shown in figure 36.

FIG. 38 provides a top view of the example exercise machine shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 39 provides an isometric view of an example rotary control associated with the exercise machine shown in FIG. 36.

Fig. 40 provides an exploded view of the example rotary control member shown in fig. 39.

Figure 41 provides an isometric view of another control associated with the exercise machine shown in figure 36.

Fig. 42 provides an exploded view of another example rotary control of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the various aspects of the example embodiments described herein. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Descriptions of specific embodiments or applications are provided only as examples. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure include a network fitness system and method whereby one or more fitness devices, such as a treadmill, rowing machine, spinning bike (stationary bike), elliptical machine, or any other suitable device, may be equipped with an associated local system that allows a user to adequately participate in a live or recorded fitness session from any location that has access to a suitable communication network. The network fitness system and method may include a back-office system having devices including, but not limited to: servers, digital storage systems, and other hardware and software to manage all processing, communication, databases, and other functions. The network fitness system and method may also include one or more production rooms or other recording locations having cameras, microphones, and audio and/or video outputs, where one or more coaches may take fitness lessons, and in some embodiments, live fitness lessons may be conducted at the one or more production rooms or other recording locations, and where these live lessons and previously recorded lessons may be distributed via a communication network. In different embodiments, there may be multiple recording locations that may interact with each other and/or with any number of separate users.

In various embodiments, the example exercise systems and exercise machines described herein provide sufficient interaction from all perspectives. Whether remote or in the same venue, the coach can interact with the user, the user can interact with the coach, and the user can interact with other users. With the disclosed networked fitness system and exercise machine, the coach can solicit feedback from the user, and the user can provide feedback to the coach, vote or comment on different choices or options, and communicate about their experience. Such example exercise systems and exercise machines allow interaction through all media including one or more video channels, audio (including voice and/or music), and data (including complete sets of performance data, vital statistics, chat, voice and text-based communications, and other communications).

The exercise systems and exercise machines described herein also allow an unlimited number of remote users to simultaneously view and participate in the same live or recorded content in different embodiments, and in different embodiments, the remote users are able to interact with some or all of the other users viewing the same content. The remote user may participate in a live workout provided from any available remote recording location, or the remote user may access previously recorded workouts archived in the system database. In various embodiments, multiple remote users may access the same recorded lessons simultaneously and interact with each other in real-time, or multiple remote users may access the same recorded lessons at different times and share data and communicate about their performance or other topics.

Accordingly, the network fitness system and fitness machine and corresponding methods described herein provide for content authoring, content management and distribution, and content consumption. Various aspects of such exercise systems and exercise machines, as well as the potential interactions between such machines, will now be described in greater detail.

Body-building machine

Referring generally to fig. 1-7 and 25-41, in various example embodiments of the disclosure, the local system 100 may include an exercise machine 102 (e.g., a treadmill) with integrated or connected digital hardware including one or more displays 104 for use in conjunction with a trainer led exercise session and/or for displaying other digital content. Although the exercise machine 102 may be described and/or otherwise referred to herein as a "treadmill 102," as explained above, the example exercise machine of the present disclosure may be any suitable type of exercise machine, including a rowing machine, a spinning bike, an elliptical machine, a stepper, and the like.

In various example embodiments, one or more displays 104 may be mounted directly to the exercise machine 102 or otherwise placed in the line of sight of the user 106. In various example embodiments, the one or more displays 104 allow the user 106 to view content related to the selected workout while exercising on the exercise machine 102 and while exercising at one or more locations near or adjacent to the exercise machine 102. The exercise machine 102 may also include a hinge, joint, pivot, bracket, or other suitable mechanism that allows the position or orientation of the display 104 to be adjusted relative to the user 106 (whether the user is using the exercise machine 102 or is near or adjacent to the exercise machine 102).

In an example embodiment, the exercise machine 102 may generally include a lower assembly 108 and an upper assembly 110 coupled to the lower assembly 108. The lower assembly 108 may generally include a deck 112 of the exercise machine 102, the deck 112 of the exercise machine 102 providing support (e.g., a running surface) for the user 106 and other components of both the lower assembly 108 and the upper assembly 110 as the user exercises on the exercise machine 102. For example, as shown in at least the exploded view of fig. 26, the deck 112 may support the first motor 114 of the exercise machine 102, the first motor 114 of the exercise machine 102 configured to increase, decrease, and/or otherwise change the slope of the deck 112, the frame of the deck 112, and/or the running surface of the deck 112 relative to the support surface on which the exercise machine 102 is disposed. The platen 112 may also include one or more tilt frames 116, the one or more tilt frames 116 coupled to the motor 114 and configured to: for example, when the motor 114 is activated, the one or more tilt frames 116 raise and lower the deck 112, the frame of the deck 112, and/or the running surface of the deck 112 by acting on the support surface. The platen 112 may also include a second motor 118, the second motor 118 configured to increase, decrease, and/or otherwise change the rotational speed of a belt 120 coupled to the platen 112. The belt 120 may rotate relative to at least a portion of the platen 112, and in particular, the belt 120 may be configured to swivel or otherwise move completely around (i.e., encircle) at least a portion of the platen 112 during use of the exercise machine 120. For example, in embodiments where the exercise machine 102 comprises a treadmill, the belt 120 may support the user 106 and the belt 120 may repeatedly encircle at least a portion of the frame of the deck 112 as the user 106 runs, walks, and/or otherwise exercises on the treadmill. Such an example belt 120 may include one or more continuous tracks 122 that are movably coupled to gears, flywheels, pulleys, and/or other members 124 of the platen 112, and such members 124 may be coupled to an output shaft or other component of the motor 118. In such examples, rotation of the output shaft or other component of the motor 118 may drive a corresponding rotation of the member 124. Similarly, rotation of the member 124 may drive a corresponding revolution of one or more of the continuous tracks 122 and/or, in general, the belt 120.

The belt 120 may also include a plurality of side-aligned flights 126 connected to one or more continuous tracks 122. For example, as shown in fig. 27 and 28, each slat 126 may extend generally parallel to at least one adjacent slat 126. Additionally, each slat 126 may be hingedly, pivotally, and/or otherwise movably coupled to one or more continuous tracks 122 via one or more respective couplings 140. Such couplings 140 may include, for example, brackets, pins, screws, clamps, bolts, and/or one or more other fastening components configured to secure the respective flights 126 to the continuous track 122 while allowing the flights 126 to pivot, rotate, and/or otherwise move relative to the track 122 as the belt 120 is swiveled about the platen 112. As shown in at least fig. 28, each flight 126 may also include a top pad 142 coupled thereto. The top pad 142 may include plastic, rubber, polymer, and/or other types of non-slip pads configured to reduce and/or substantially eliminate slippage of the user 106 as the user runs, walks, and/or otherwise exercises on the exercise machine 102. Such a top pad 142 may also reduce the shock associated with walking and/or running on the exercise machine 102 and may therefore improve the comfort of the user 106 during various exercise sessions associated with the exercise machine 102.

With continued reference to fig. 26, the exercise machine 102 may also include one or more side walls 128 connected to the deck 112. For example, the exercise machine 102 may include a first sidewall 128 on the left-hand side of the deck 112 and a second sidewall 128 on the right-hand side of the deck 112. Such side walls 128 may be made of fabric, foam, plastic, rubber, polymer, and/or other similar materials, and in some examples, the side walls 128 may assist in damping and/or otherwise reducing noise generated by one or more of the

motors

114, 118 and/or other components of the deck 112.

The exercise machine 102 may also include one or more support posts 130 extending upwardly from the deck 112. For example, the exercise machine 102 may include a first support column 130 on the left-hand side of the deck 112 and a second support column 130 on the right-hand side of the deck 112. Such a brace 130 may be made of metal, alloy, plastic, polymer, and/or other similar materials, and similar such materials may be used to fabricate the deck 112, slats 126, and/or other components of the exercise machine 102. In such examples, the stanchion 130 may be configured to support the display 104, and in some examples, the display 104 may be directly coupled to the crossbar 132 of the exercise machine 102, and the crossbar 132 may be connected to the stanchion 130 and/or otherwise supported by the stanchion 130. For example, cross-bar 132 may include one or more armrests or handrails that help support user 106 during exercise. In some examples, the crossbar 132 may be generally C-shaped, generally U-shaped, and/or any other configuration. In any of the examples described herein, the crossbar 132 may extend from a first one of the struts 130 to a second one of the struts 130. Additionally, in some examples, the struts 130 and the cross-bar 132 may comprise a single integral component of the upper assembly 110. Alternatively, in other examples, the post 130 and the crossbar 132 may comprise separate components of the upper assembly 110. In such examples, the upper assembly 110 may include one or more brackets 134, end caps 136, and/or additional components configured to assist in coupling the one or more struts 130 to the cross-bar 132.

As explained above, the exercise machine 102 may also include hinges, joints, pivots, brackets 138, and/or other suitable mechanisms that allow the position or orientation of the display 104 to be adjusted relative to the user 106 (whether the user is using the exercise machine 102 or is near or adjacent to the exercise machine 102). For example, such a bracket 138 may include at least one component rigidly connected to the crossbar 132. Such a bracket 138 may also include one or more additional components that are rigidly coupled to the display 104. In such examples, the components of the bracket 138 that are connected to the display 104 are able to move with the display 104 relative to the components of the bracket 138 that are connected to the crossbar 132. Such components may include one or more dovetail slide mechanisms, channels, and/or other components that enable display 104 to controllably slide and/or otherwise move relative to crossbar 132. Such components also enable: after the user 106 has positioned the display 104 as desired, the user 106 can fix the position of the display 104 relative to the crossbar 132.

As shown in at least fig. 29, the exercise machine 102 can also include one or

more controls

144, 146, the one or

more controls

144, 146 configured to receive input from the user 106. The exercise machine 102 may also include one or more sensors 147, the one or more sensors 147 configured to: one or more performance parameters of the user 106 are sensed, detected, and/or otherwise determined before, during, and/or after the user 106 participates in a workout session conducted using the exercise machine 102. In any of the examples described herein, the

rotational controls

144, 146 and the one or more sensors 147 may be operably and/or otherwise connected to one or more controllers, processors, and/or other digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 102.

The digital hardware 148 associated with the exercise machine 102 may be connected to the exercise machine 102 or integral to the exercise machine 102, or the digital hardware 148 associated with the exercise machine 102 may be remotely located and connected to the exercise machine 102 by a wired or wireless connection. The digital hardware 148 may include digital storage, one or more processors or other similar computers or controllers, communication hardware, software, and/or one or more media input/output devices, such as a display, a camera, a microphone, a keyboard, a touch screen, headphones, and/or an audio speaker. In various exemplary embodiments, these components may be coupled to the exercise machine 102 and/or otherwise integrated with the exercise machine 102. All communications between and among these components of the digital hardware 148 may be multi-channel, multi-directional, and wireless or wired, and may use any suitable protocol or technique. In various example embodiments, the digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 102 may include associated mobile and web-based applications that provide access to account, performance, and other user-related information from local or remote exercise machines, processors, controllers, personal computers, laptop computers, mobile devices, or any other digital device or digital hardware. In any of the examples described herein, one or more controllers, processors, and/or other digital hardware 148 associated with the exercise machine 102 is operable to implement one or more functions associated with the control logic 150 of the exercise machine 102. Such control logic 150 is schematically illustrated in at least fig. 30, and such control logic 150 may include one or more rules, programs, or other instructions stored in the memory of the digital hardware 148. For example, one or more processors included in digital hardware 148 may be programmed to perform operations in accordance with rules, programs, or other instructions of control logic 150, and such processors may also be programmed to perform one or more additional operations in accordance with and/or at least partially in response to inputs received via one or more of

rotational controls

144, 146 and/or via one or more of sensors 147.

As shown in fig. 31 and 32, one or more of such

rotational controls

144, 146 may include an infinite wheel type control 144. Such rotation controls 144 may facilitate changing and/or otherwise controlling, for example, a grade, a decline, and/or other position of the platen 112 relative to a support surface on which the exercise machine 102 is disposed, a speed of the belt 120 (e.g., a rotational speed of the continuous track 122, slats 126, and/or other components of the belt 120), a substantially instantaneous start and/or stop of the belt 120, a selection of one or more exercise sessions to be played via the display 104, a change in one or more operating modes of the exercise machine 102, and/or other functions of the exercise machine 102. In an example embodiment, such a rotary control 144 may include an outer portion 152 (e.g., a rotary dial, knob, button, or other component) that is rotatable relative to the post 130, cross-bar 132, and/or other components of the exercise machine 102 to which the rotary control 144 is connected. The rotary control 144 may further include a frame 154 (e.g., an encoder or other stationary component) to which the outer portion 152 is connected. In such examples, the frame 154 (e.g., an encoder or other component connected to the frame 154 and/or associated with the frame 154) may include one or more detents or other components/structures that may be adapted for a desired incremental change in a corresponding function of the exercise machine 102. For example, the frame 154 may be configured such that each stop of the frame 154 may be associated with a 0.5% increase or decrease in the slope angle of the platen 112. Alternatively, the frame 154 may be configured such that each detent of the frame 154 may be associated with an increase or decrease of 0.1mph in the speed of the continuous track 122 and/or other components of the belt 120. In still further examples, percentages, speeds, and/or other increments greater or lesser than those mentioned above may be selected. Additionally, one or more such

rotational controls

144, 146 may include one or more additional buttons, wheels, touch pads, levers, knobs, capacitive sensors, switches, or other input devices configured to receive additional input from the user 106, and such additional input devices may provide the user 106 with finer control over the corresponding functions of the exercise machine 102. One or more of such rotary controls 144, 146 may also include respective mounts 156 configured to assist in connecting the rotary controls 144, 146 to the post 130, the cross bar 132, and/or to other components of the exercise machine 102.

As shown in fig. 33-35, in still further embodiments, one or more of the infinite wheel-type

rotational controls

144, 146, 526, 528 as described herein may be replaced with capacitive slider-type controls and/or other generally linear controls 158. Such controls 158 may include one or more touch pads, buttons, levers, and/or

other components

160, 162, 166 configured to receive touch, tap, press, and/or other input from the user 106.

Such components

160, 162, 166 may be operatively connected to respective tactile and/or haptic switches in the control 158 mounted to its printed circuit board 170. Such tactile switches may be configured to generate and transmit signals indicative of inputs received via these

components

160, 162, 166 to a processor and/or other digital hardware 148 associated with the exercise machine 102. The controls 158 may also include one or more additional touch pads 164 having a generally linear configuration. Such a touchpad 164 may also be configured to receive touch, tap, press, and/or other input from the user 106. Additionally, the touch pads 164 may be operatively connected to corresponding capacitive traces 172 in the control 158 that are mounted to the printed circuit board 170. In such examples, the capacitive traces 172 may be configured to generate and send signals indicative of inputs received via the touchpad 164 to a processor and/or other digital hardware 148 associated with the exercise machine 102. Fig. 34 illustrates a first generally linear control member 158 disposed on the right hand side of the cross-bar 132 and a second generally linear control member 174 disposed on the left hand side of the cross-bar 132 opposite the control member 158. In any of the examples described herein, one or more of the

components

160, 162, 166 are operable to control and/or change the operating mode of the exercise machine 102. Additionally, in any of the examples described herein, one or more of the infinite wheel-type rotary controls 144, 146, 526, 528 and/or one or more of the generally

linear controls

158, 174 may include a light emitting diode and/or other illumination device that indicates a change in an aspect of operation affected by the respective control.

With continued reference to at least fig. 29, in various exemplary embodiments, the sensors 147 of the exercise machine 102 may be configured to sense, detect, measure, and/or otherwise determine a series of performance metrics from both the exercise machine 102 and the user 106 instantaneously and/or over time. For example, the exercise machine 102 may include one or more sensors 147 that measure the grade of the deck 112, the speed of the belt 120, the load applied to the deck 112, the belt 120, one or more of the

motors

114, 118, and/or other components of the exercise machine 102, the amount of energy consumed by the user 106, the power output of the exercise machine 102, the user's weight, number of steps, distance, total work, number of repetitions, the amount of resistance applied to the belt 120 by one or more of the

motors

114, 118, and/or other components of the exercise machine 102, and any other suitable performance metric associated with, for example, a treadmill. The exercise machine 102 may also include sensors 147 to measure the user's heart rate, respiration, hydration, calories burned, or any other indicators of physical ability or to receive such data from sensors provided by the user 106. Such performance indicators may be calculated as current/instantaneous values, maximum, minimum, average or total values over a period of time, or such performance indicators may be calculated using any other mathematical statistical analysis, where appropriate. Trends may also be determined, stored, and displayed to the user, trainer, and/or other users. Such sensors 147 may communicate with the memory and/or processor of the digital hardware 148 associated with the exercise machine 102 at a proximate or remote location using a wired or wireless connection.

In various exemplary embodiments, the exercise machine 102 may also be provided with one or more indicators to provide information to the user 106. Such indicators may include lights, a projection display, a speaker for audio output, or other output device capable of providing a signal to the user 106 to provide information to the user 106 (e.g., a schedule for developing a workout, a workout start time or end time), or other information indicators. For example, as illustrated in fig. 6, such an indicator (e.g., a light or a projected display) may display information in terms of the number of groups and the number of repetitions that user 106 has performed at a location that user 106 can see during the relevant workout session.

36-38 illustrate an example exercise machine 500 (e.g., a "treadmill" 500) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Various components of the example exercise machine 500 may be substantially similar and/or identical to corresponding components of the exercise machine 102 described herein, and in certain examples, similar parts will be described below using similar item numbers. For example, as shown in fig. 36-38, the exercise machine 500 may include the display 104, the deck 112, the crossbar 132, the brackets 138 connecting the display 104 to the crossbar 132, the controller and/or other digital hardware 148, and/or other components, and these components may be similar and/or identical to the corresponding components of the exercise machine 102 described above with similar item numbers. Additionally, similar to the upper assembly 110 described above, the upper assembly 110 of the exercise machine 500 may include a first post 130a connected to the deck 112 and/or extending from the deck 112, and a second post 130b connected to the deck 112 and/or extending from the deck 112 opposite the first post 130 a.

The upper assembly 110 of the exercise machine 500 may further include: an end cap 502a connected to or integrally formed with the post 130a, and an end cap 502b connected to or integrally formed with the post 130 b. In such examples, the

end caps

502a, 502b may be configured to connect the

arms

504a, 504b of the upper assembly 110 to the corresponding

posts

130a, 130 b. For example, endcap 502a may connect arm 504a to post 130a such that arm 504a is at least partially supported by post 130a, and endcap 502b may connect arm 504b to post 130b such that arm 504b is at least partially supported by post 130 b. It is to be appreciated that in certain examples, endcap 502a can be connected to arm 504a or integrally formed with arm 504a, and endcap 502b can be connected to arm 504b or integrally formed with arm 504 b. In certain examples, the

end caps

502a, 502b may be substantially similar and/or identical to the bracket 134 described above with respect to fig. 26. In such examples, the

endcaps

502a, 502b may include one or more additional components (e.g., caps) that are substantially similar and/or identical to the endcaps 136 described above.

Further, in any of the examples described herein, the upper assembly 110 can include one or more crossbars that extend from arm 504a to arm 504 b. For example, the cross-bar 132 described above may include: a crossbar 506 (e.g., a first crossbar 506) extending from arm 504a to arm 504b, and a crossbar 514 (e.g., a second crossbar 514) opposite crossbar 506 and extending from arm 504a to arm 504 b. In such examples, one or both of the

crossbars

506, 514, one or both of the

arms

504a, 504b, one or both of the

endcaps

502a, 502b, and/or other components of the exercise machine 500 may include handles, armrests, and/or other components configured to at least partially support the user 106 of the exercise machine 500 while the user 106 is using the exercise machine 500 to walk, run, and/or otherwise participate in an exercise session.

The

posts

130a, 130b,

end caps

502a, 502b,

arms

504a, 504b,

crossbars

506, 514, and/or other components of the exercise machine 500 may be made of steel, aluminum, cast iron, and/or any other metal, polymer, alloy, or other material, and such materials may be similar and/or identical to the materials described above with respect to one or more components of the deck 112. Further, in certain embodiments, one or more of such components may be connected via one or more bolts, screws, clamps, brackets, brazed joints, and/or other means. In other embodiments, on the other hand, one or more of such components may be integrally formed and/or may otherwise have a one-piece construction. For example, at

least arms

504a, 504b, and crossbar 506 may have a one-piece construction. In such examples, cross-bar 514 may be welded, brazed, forged, cast, and/or otherwise connected to

arms

504a and 504 b. In other examples, at least the

arms

504a, 504b, the crossbar 506, and the crossbar 514 may be integrally formed and/or may otherwise have a one-piece construction. In other embodiments, end cap 502a may be forged, cast, and/or otherwise integrally formed with post 130a or arm 504 a. Likewise, in other embodiments, end cap 502b may be forged, cast, and/or otherwise integrally formed with post 130b or arm 504 b.

As shown in fig. 36-38, the exercise machine 500 may further include one or more controls associated with the upper assembly 110, and one or more such controls may be coupled to the arm 504a, the arm 504b, the cross-bar 506, and/or the cross-bar 514. For example, the exercise machine 500 may include a control 516 connected to the crossbar 514, the crossbar 506, the arm 504a, or the arm 504 b. For example, such controls 516 may include one or more magnetic connectors 518 configured to receive emergency stop switches, clamps, wires, straps, and/or other devices worn by the user 106 while the user 106 is walking and/or running on the exercise machine 500. For example, when the user 106 is walking or running on the exercise machine 500, the user 106 may use an emergency stop device (not shown) that may be clipped to the user's clothing, held by the user 106, wrapped around the user's wrist, and/or otherwise worn by the user 106. Such an emergency stop device may include a given length of wire and a magnetic clamp or other component disposed at the end of the wire. During use of the exercise machine 500, the magnetic clamp at the end of the wire may be disposed on the magnetic connector 518 of the control 516 and/or at least partially within the magnetic connector 518 of the control 516. In such examples, the exercise machine 500 may be configured such that the strap 120 of the deck 112 may only rotate when the magnetic clamp at the end of the wire is disposed on the magnetic connector 518 and/or at least partially disposed within the magnetic connector 518. Additionally, removal of the magnetic clamp from the magnetic connector 518 may cause the belt 120 to stop. In such examples, the magnetic connector 518, along with such a magnetic clamp worn by the user 106, may constitute an emergency stop device for the exercise machine 500. For example, causing the band 120 to stop at least partially in response to removing the magnetic clamp from the magnetic connector 518 may prevent the user 106 from being injured if the user 106 is located more than a desired distance from the crossbar 514 (e.g., more than a distance defined by a length of wire worn by the user 106).

In any of the examples described herein, the controls 516 may also include one or more input devices 520 configured to receive input from the user 106 during use of the exercise machine 500. In such examples, one or more such input devices 520 may include buttons, wheels, touch pads, levers, knobs, capacitive sensors, switches, or other components configured to receive input from the user 106, and such input devices 520 may be configured to control and/or may enable the user 106 to control corresponding functions of the exercise machine 500.

As shown in fig. 36-38, in some examples, the exercise machine 500 may also include one or more trays 522 configured to hold, for example, water bottles, MP3 players, mobile devices, magazines, towels, and/or other items available to the user 106 while exercising on the exercise machine 500. In certain examples, tray 522 can be fixedly coupled to at least one of crossbar 506, arm 504a, arm 504b, or crossbar 514. In other examples, the tray 522 may, on the other hand, be removably attached to one or more such components of the exercise machine 500. For example, the tray 522 may be at least partially disposed within a gap 524 separating the crossbar 506 from the crossbar 514. In such examples, at least one of crossbar 506, arm 504a, arm 504b, or crossbar 514 may include ridges, lugs, shelves, lips, flanges, extensions, clamps, and/or other structures configured to at least partially support tray 522 when tray 522 is at least partially disposed within gap 524.

The exercise machine 500 may also include one or more

rotary controls

526, 528 configured to control the respective functions of the exercise machine 500 and/or one or more of the

motors

114, 118 of the exercise machine 500 during use. Such rotary controls 526, 528 may be substantially similar and/or identical to one or more of the rotary controls 144, 146 described above with respect to fig. 29, 31, and 32, and one or more of the rotary controls 526, 528 may be configured to control similar and/or identical functions of one or more of the exercise machine 500 and/or

motors

114, 118 described above with respect to the rotary controls 144, 146. As shown in at least fig. 36, the arm 504a can include a rotational control 526 attached to the arm 504a, and the arm 504b can include a rotational control 528 attached to the arm 504 b. In such examples, the rotary control 526 may be separate from the rotary control 528. Further, the rotary control 526 may be configured to control a first function of the exercise machine 500, and the rotary control 528 may be configured to control a second function of the exercise machine 500 that is different from the first function associated with the rotary control 526. In some examples, the first function of the exercise machine 500 may include a first function and/or operation of one of the

motors

114, 118. Similarly, the second function of the exercise machine 500 may include a second function and/or operation of the other of the

motors

114, 118. In additional examples, one or both of the rotary controls 528 may be configured to control respective functions of the exercise machine 500 associated with the display 104, the digital hardware 148, and/or other components of the exercise machine other than the

motors

114, 118. Additionally, in other examples, one or both of the rotary controls 526, 528 may be disposed on the crossbar 514, the crossbar 506, and/or other portions of the exercise machine 500. Further, one or both of the rotary controls 526, 528 may be disposed on the arm 504a, the arm 504b, the post 130a, or the post 130 b.

Fig. 39 and 40 illustrate the example rotary control 528 in further detail. It should be appreciated that, in some examples, the rotary control 528 may be substantially similar and/or identical to the rotary control 526. Alternatively, in some examples, the rotary control 528 may be different from the corresponding components of the rotary control 526 and/or may include one or more components that are different from the corresponding components of the rotary control 526. For ease of illustration, the rotary control 528 will be described for the remainder of the disclosure unless otherwise specified, and any description of the rotary control 528 should also apply to the rotary control 526 unless otherwise noted.

As shown in fig. 39 and 40, the rotary control 528 may include an outer portion 530, and the outer portion 530 may include a base 532 and a top 534. In such examples, the outer portion 530 may be substantially similar and/or identical to the outer portion 152 described above with respect to fig. 31. The top 534 of the outer portion 530 may include a generally cylindrical, generally semi-circular, or generally dome-shaped housing of the rotary control 528. Further, the base 532 may include a generally cylindrical stem, shell, and/or other such structure extending from the top 534. The outer portion 530 may comprise a generally one-piece member of the rotary control 528, and in such an example, the base 532 may be integrally formed with the top 534. Alternatively, the base 532 may be molded, brazed, heat sealed, clamped, press fit, and/or otherwise connected to the top 534. In certain examples, the rotary control 528 can include a central axis (e.g., central longitudinal axis) 536 that extends generally centrally through the outer portion 530. In such examples, at least a portion of the rotary control 528 is rotatable about the central axis 536. For example, the outer portion (e.g., the top 534 and/or the base 532) may be rotatable about the central axis 536 during use. It should be appreciated that, in certain examples, at least the outer portion 530 is rotatable about the central axis 536 relative to the arm 504b to which the rotary control 528 is connected. Additionally, the outer portion 530 may include one or more ridges, dimples, depressions, grooves, bumps, patterns, and/or other grips 538. For example, one or more such grips 538 may be provided on the top portion 534 and/or formed with the aid of the top portion 534 to assist the user 106 in rotating the outer portion 530 about the central axis 536. Fig. 39 illustrates a first example configuration of such a grip 538, while fig. 40 illustrates a second example configuration of such a grip 538. It should be understood that the grip 538 is not limited to the configuration illustrated in fig. 39 or 40, and in other examples, the grip 538 may have any other shape, size, orientation, or other configuration useful in enhancing the ability of the user 106 to rotate the outer portion 530 during use of the exercise machine 500.

In some examples, the rotary control 528 may also include one or more components configured to provide tactile, audible, visual, and/or other feedback to the user 106 when the user rotates at least a portion of the rotary control 528 relative to the arm 504b to which the rotary control 528 is connected. In any example embodiment of the present disclosure, two or more such components of the rotary control 528 may provide feedback to the user 106 substantially simultaneously during use of the exercise machine 500. In such examples, feedback received substantially simultaneously from two or more such components of the rotary control 528 may indicate the same operating characteristics of the rotary control 528 (e.g., the number of degrees that the outer portion 530 has been rotated by the user 106).

For example, the rotary control 528 may include a first component configured to provide visual feedback to the user 106 when the user 106 rotates the outer portion 530 and/or other portions of the rotary control 528 about the central axis 536. In such examples, the first component may include an indicator 540 disposed on the top 534, connected to the top 534, and/or otherwise associated with the top 534. In other embodiments, on the other hand, the indicator 540 may be positioned radially inward from the top 534. Indicator number 540 may include, for example, one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and/or other light sources disposed about or near the perimeter of top 534. In such examples, the indicator 540 may be configured such that rotation of the rotary control 528 produces a commensurate temporary illumination of at least a portion of the indicator 540. For example, the indicator 540 may be configured such that rotation of the top 534 about the central axis 536 may cause commensurate temporary illumination of at least a portion of the indicator 540, and the degree to which the indicator 540 is illuminated may indicate the degree to which the outer portion 530 has been rotated by the user 106. In such examples, the rotary control 528 may have a zero or starting position. In such embodiments, a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the outer portion 530 about the central axis 536 from the starting position, e.g., about 90 degrees radially, may result in illumination of about one quarter of the indicator 540. Similarly, a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the outer portion 530 about the central axis 536 from a starting position, e.g., about 180 degrees radially, may result in about half of the illumination of the indicator 540. In other examples, rotation of the outer portion 530 by any desired radial degree about the central axis 536 can cause illumination of a corresponding portion of the indicator 540. Such illumination may be associated with an increase or decrease in the slope angle of the platen 112. Alternatively, such illumination may be associated with an increase or decrease in the speed of the continuous track 122 and/or other components of the belt 120. In any such example, such illumination (e.g., visual feedback amount) may indicate to the user 106 a degree to which the top 534 and/or other components of the outer portion 530 have been rotated. In some examples, such illumination may include pulsing, flashing, color changing, substantially constant illumination, and/or other illumination modalities.

Further, in certain examples, the rotary control 528 may include one or more additional components configured to provide tactile feedback to the user 106 as the user 106 rotates the top portion 534 and/or other components of the outer portion 530 about the central axis 536. As shown in at least fig. 40, such additional components may include a stop 555 configured to at least partially limit rotation of the outer portion 530 about the central axis 536. For example, the one or more detents 555 may provide a partial resistance to the top 534, the base 532, and/or other components of the outer portion 530 as the outer portion 530 rotates about the central axis 536. In such examples, the base 532 and/or other components of the outer portion 530 may be configured to contact one or such detents 555 as the outer portion 530 rotates about the central axis 536. For example, the rotary control 528 may include a carrier 552 that includes one or more such detents 555. In such examples, the carrier 552 may include a generally rigid frame 554, and one or more detents 555 described above may be provided on the frame 554 and/or formed with the frame 554. In such examples, base 532 and/or top 534 may be rotatably connected to frame 554.

As described above, one or more of the detents 555 may be positioned, sized, and/or otherwise configured to coincide with a desired progressive change in the corresponding function of the exercise machine 500. For example, the frame 554 may be configured such that each detent 555 of the frame 554 may be associated with a 0.5% increase or decrease in the slope angle of the platen 112. Alternatively, the frame 554 may be configured such that each detent 555 of the frame 554 may be associated with an increase or decrease of 0.1mph of the speed of the continuous track 122 and/or other components of the belt 120. In still other examples, percentages, speeds, and/or other increments greater than or less than those described above may be selected.

Further, in any of the examples described herein, the control software and/or digital hardware 148 described above may be configured such that rotation of the outer portion 530 about the central axis 536 may cause any desired effect associated with the exercise machine 500. For example, while in certain embodiments rotation of the outer portion 530 in a forward direction (e.g., counterclockwise) may cause the motor 114 to increase the slope (e.g., raise) of the platen 112 relative to a support surface on which the exercise machine 500 is disposed, in other examples, the control software and/or digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 500 may be programmed and/or otherwise configured such that rotation of the outer portion 530 in a rearward (e.g., clockwise) direction may cause the motor 114 to increase the slope of the platen 112 relative to the support surface. Further, while in certain embodiments, rotation of the outer portion 530 in a forward direction (e.g., counterclockwise) may cause the motor 118 to increase the rotational speed of the belt 120, in other examples, the control software and/or digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 500 may be programmed and/or otherwise configured such that rotation of the outer portion 530 in a rearward (e.g., clockwise) direction may cause the motor 118 to increase the rotational speed of the belt 120.

Further, in an example embodiment, the control software and/or digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 500 may be programmed and/or otherwise configured such that rotation of the outer portion 530 may control one or more functions of the display 104 or other components of the apparatus 500 other than the

motors

114, 118. For example, the control software and/or digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 500 may be programmed and/or otherwise configured such that rotation of the outer portion 530 in a forward or rearward direction may cause the display 104 to display keys, icons, controls, text, or other content. In other examples, rotation of the outer portion 530 in a forward or backward direction to the zero position of the rotary control 528 may cause the display 104, control software, and/or digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 500 to pause an exercise session currently being played or being displayed on the display 104. In additional examples, rotation of the outer portion 530 may cause a beep, a chirp, and/or other audible tone to be emitted from one or more speakers of the exercise machine 500. In certain examples, the control software and/or digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 500 can cause one or more speakers to emit audible tones whenever the outer portion 530 interfaces with the stops 555 of the frame 554. Such audible tones may include other indicia (e.g., audible indicia) indicative of the rotation of the rotary control 528.

In still other examples, the speed at which the user 106 rotates the rotary control 528 may also indicate the degree, speed, or magnitude of the change made to the operation/function of the exercise machine 500. For example, the control software and/or digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 500 may be programmed and/or otherwise configured such that rotation of the outer portion 530 in a forward or rearward direction at a relatively slow speed may cause a corresponding minimum or gradual change in the rotational speed of the belt 120 (e.g., an increase or decrease of 0.1mph of the speed of the continuous track 122 and/or other components of the belt 120). In such examples, the control software and/or digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 500 may also be programmed and/or otherwise configured such that rotation of the outer portion 530 in a forward or rearward direction at a relatively fast speed may cause a corresponding significant, rapid, and/or impulsive change in the rotational speed of the belt 120 (e.g., an increase or decrease in the speed of the continuous track 122 and/or other components of the belt 120 of l.0 mph).

As shown in fig. 39 and 40, the rotary control 528 may also include an inner portion 542. In certain examples, the inner portion 542 can be fixedly connected to the outer portion 530, and in such examples, the inner portion 542 is rotatable with the outer portion 530 about the central axis 536 of the rotary control 528. In other examples, the inner portion 542 can be separated from the outer portion 530 such that at least, for example, the top portion 534 is rotatable about the central axis 536 relative to the inner portion 542. In such examples, inner portion 542 may be fixed relative to top portion 534 as top portion 534 rotates about central axis 536. Inner portion 542 may include a generally dish-shaped plate 544 disposed generally centrally within top portion 534. In such examples, the central axis 536 may extend generally centrally through the plate 544. Additionally, the plate 544 may be disposed radially inward from, for example, the indicator 540 and/or the top 534. In some examples, the indicator 540 may be disposed on and/or otherwise connected to the plate 544, and in such examples, the top 534 and/or other components of the outer portion 530 may be rotatable relative to the plate 544 and the indicator 540.

The rotary control 528 may further include one or more input devices 546. For example, the rotary control 528 may include an input device 546 disposed generally centrally with respect to the plate 544. In some examples, input device 546 may be disposed on board 544 and/or otherwise connected to board 544. In such examples, the top 534 and/or other components of the outer portion 530 may be rotatable relative to the input device 546. Input devices 546 may include one or more buttons, wheels, touch pads, levers, knobs, capacitive sensors, switches, or other components configured to receive input from user 106, and in such examples, input received via input devices 546 may be different and/or separate from rotational input received from user 106 via top 534. In such examples, the input device 546 may be configured to control one or more functions of the exercise machine 500 that are different and/or separate from the functions of the exercise machine 500 controlled via rotation of the top portion 534. For example, rotation of the top 534 and/or other components of the outer portion 530 of the rotary control 528 may enable the user 106 to control the rotational speed of the belt 120, the position of the deck 112, and/or other functions of the exercise machine 500, and in such embodiments, input received via the input device 546 may control one or more additional functions of the exercise machine 500 that are different from the rotational speed of the belt 120, the position of the deck 112, and/or the like. For example, in such embodiments, input received via the input device 546 may cause the belt 120 to begin rotating, may cause the belt 120 to stop rotating, may enable selection of one or more exercise sessions, may enable selection of one or more operating modes of the exercise machine 500, and/or may enable control of various other functions of the exercise machine 500.

As shown in the exploded view of fig. 40, the inner portion 542 can further include a base 548 extending from the plate 544. For example, the plate 544 may comprise a generally flat, generally disc-shaped member of the inner portion 542, and the base 548 may comprise a generally cylindrical member of the inner portion 542 extending generally perpendicularly from the plate 544. In such examples, the outer portion 530 may include a generally cylindrical member of the rotary control 528, and the outer portion 530 may include a generally central opening 550 extending at least partially through the outer portion 530. In such examples, the central axis 536 may pass generally centrally through the opening 550, and at least a portion of the base 548 may be disposed within the opening 550. Thus, in such examples, the top portion 534 and/or other components of the outer portion 530 are rotatable about and/or relative to the base 548 of the inner portion 542.

As explained above, the rotary control 528 may include a carrier 552 that includes one or more detents 555. In such examples, the carrier 552 may include a generally rigid frame 554, and one or more detents 555 described above may be disposed on and/or formed by an annular outer or inner surface of the frame 554. In such examples, the outer portion 530 of the rotary control 528 may be rotatably connected to the carrier 552 such that at least a portion of the base 532 and/or at least a portion of the top 534 may interface with one or more such detents 555 as the outer portion 530 rotates relative to the carrier 552. The carrier 552 may also include a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)556 connected to the carrier 552. In such examples, the PCB 556 may include one or more sensors (e.g., hall effect sensors, proximity sensors, optical sensors, etc.), switches, controllers, microprocessors, and/or other components configured to determine a position (e.g., a radial angle or position) of the outer portion 530 relative to the carrier 552 and provide one or more signals including information indicative of such position to the controller or other digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 500. Such components of the PCB 556 may also be operably connected to the input device 546 of the rotary control 528. In such examples, such components of PCB 556 may also be configured to receive signals from input device 546 indicative of one or more inputs received via input device 546, and may be configured to provide one or more corresponding signals to controller or other digital hardware 148.

For example, one or more components of the PCB 556 may be configured to sense, detect, and/or otherwise determine rotation of the outer portion 530 of the rotary control 528, and such rotation of the outer portion 530 relative to the carrier 552 may cause one or more such components of the PCB 556 to transmit corresponding signals to the controller or other digital hardware 148. Upon receiving such a signal (e.g., the first signal), the controller or other digital hardware 148 may cause a corresponding change in the rotational speed of the belt 120, a change in the position (e.g., grade or decline) of the platen 112, and/or other functional changes of the exercise machine 500. For example, any such functions may include functions of the exercise machine 500 that are controlled by, performed by, and/or otherwise associated with at least one of the

motors

114, 118. Similarly, receipt of one or more signals from the input device 546 may cause one or more components of the PCB 556 to exclusively output corresponding signals to the controller or other digital hardware 148. Upon receiving such a signal (e.g., the second signal), the controller or other digital hardware 148 may cause the belt 120 to begin rotating, may cause the belt 120 to stop rotating, may cause one or more exercise sessions to be selected, may enable one or more operating modes of the exercise machine 500, and/or may enable control of various other functions of the exercise machine 500. Similarly, for example, any such functions may include functions of the exercise machine 500 controlled by, performed by, and/or otherwise associated with at least one of the

motors

114, 118. As shown in fig. 40, in some examples, at least a portion of the rotary control 528 can be coupled to a stationary mount 558. For example, the mount 558 may include a generally rigid frame, housing, and/or other structure that is coupled to the arm 504b and/or other components of the exercise machine 500. In such examples, the mount 558 may be welded, brazed, bolted, screwed, clamped, and/or otherwise connected to the arm 504b to provide a substantially rigid fixed support for the rotary control 528 during use of the exercise machine 500. In certain examples, the arm 504b can include one or more openings 562, and in such examples, at least a portion of the mount 558 can engage the openings 562, can be disposed within the openings 562, and/or can pass through the openings 562 when the mount 558 is connected to the arm 504 b. Alternatively, in additional embodiments, the openings 562 may be omitted, and in such embodiments, the mount 558 may be fixedly connected to the outer surface of the arm 504 b. The mounting member 558 can include one or more openings 560 extending at least partially through the mounting member 558. In certain examples, the rotary control 528 can be coupled to the mount 558 such that the central axis 536 of the rotary control 528 can pass generally centrally through the opening 560 of the mount 558.

In any of the examples described herein, one or more components of the rotary control 528 can be coupled to the mount 558 (e.g., at least partially within the opening 560 of the mount 558) so as to remain fixed relative to the mount 558 during rotation of the top portion 534, the base 532, and/or other components of the outer portion 530. For example, the carrier 552 may be connected to the mounting member 558 such that the carrier 552 may remain fixed relative to the outer portion 530 and the mounting member 558 as the outer portion 530 rotates relative to the mounting member 558. Likewise, the inner portion 542 can be connected to the carrier 552 and/or the mounting member 558 such that the inner portion 542 can remain fixed relative to the outer portion 530, the carrier 552, and the mounting member 558 as the outer portion 530 is rotated relative to the mounting member 558. Alternatively, in still other examples, the mount 558 may be omitted. In such examples, the inner portion 542 and/or the carrier 552 may be connected to the arm 504b such that the inner portion 542 and the carrier 552 may remain fixed relative to the outer portion 530 as the outer portion 530 is rotated relative to the arm 504 b.

Fig. 42 illustrates another example rotary control 600 of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that, in certain examples, the rotary control 600 may be substantially similar and/or identical to the rotary control 528 described above. Alternatively, in certain examples, the rotary control 600 may be different from the rotary control 528 and/or may include one or more components that are different from the respective components of the rotary control 528. It should be understood that the rotary control 600 may be used with the rotary control 528, and/or included on the exercise machine 500 with the rotary control 528 or in place of the rotary control 528, and any description herein of the rotary control 528 should also be applicable to the rotary control 600, unless otherwise noted. Further, any description herein of the rotational control 600 should also apply to the rotational control 528, unless otherwise noted. For example, one or more components of the rotary control 528 can be substantially similar and/or identical to one or more corresponding components of the rotary control 600. Additionally, any description herein of the rotational control 600 should also apply to one or both of the

rotational controls

144, 146, unless otherwise noted.

For example, as shown in fig. 42, rotary control 600 may include an outer portion 602, and outer portion 602 may include a top 604 having one or more grips 606. In such examples, the outer portion 602, the top 604, and the grip 606 of the rotary control 600 may be substantially similar and/or identical to the corresponding outer portion 530, the top 534, and the grip 538 of the rotary control 528. For example, the top 604 of the outer portion 602 may include a generally cylindrical, generally semi-circular, or generally dome-shaped housing of the rotary control 600. In certain examples, the rotary control 600 may include a central axis (e.g., a central longitudinal axis) 605 extending generally centrally through the outer portion 602. In such examples, at least a portion of the rotary control 600 is rotatable about the central axis 605. For example, during use, at least the top portion 604 and/or other components of the outer portion 602 are rotatable about the central axis 605. It should be appreciated that in certain examples, at least the outer portion 602 may rotate about a central axis 605 relative to the arm 504b to which the rotary control 600 is connected, and in such examples, the central axis 605 may extend substantially perpendicular to an outer surface of the arm 504b (e.g., substantially perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the arm 504b, the crossbar 514, and/or other components of the exercise machine 500). 36-38, the rotary control 528 (e.g., the central axis 536 of the rotary control 528) may have a similar orientation relative to the arm 504b and/or other components of the exercise machine 500.

In some examples, the rotary control 600 may also include one or more components configured to provide tactile, audible, visual, and/or other feedback to the user 106 when the user rotates at least a portion of the rotary control 600 relative to the arm 504b to which the rotary control 600 is connected. In any example embodiment of the present disclosure, two or more such components of the rotary control 600 may provide feedback to the user 106 substantially simultaneously during use of the exercise machine 500. In such examples, feedback received substantially simultaneously from two or more such components of the rotary control 600 may indicate the same operational characteristics of the rotary control 600 (e.g., the number of degrees that the outer portion 602 has been rotated by the user 106, the speed at which the outer portion 602 has been rotated, the direction of rotation, etc.).

For example, the rotary control 600 may include a first component configured to provide visual feedback to the user 106 when the user 106 rotates the outer portion 602 and/or other portions of the rotary control 600 about the central axis 605. In such examples, such a first component may include an indicator 608 disposed on the top 604, connected to the top 604, and/or otherwise associated with the top 604. In other embodiments, on the other hand, the indicator 608 may be positioned radially inward from the top 534. In some examples, indicator number 608 may be substantially similar and/or identical to indicator 540 and may include, for example, one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and/or other light sources disposed about or proximate to a perimeter of top 604. In other examples, the indicator 608 may include a lens, a window, and/or any other optical component configured to permit visible light or other radiation from one or more LEDs disposed proximate to the indicator 608 (e.g., between the arm 504b and the indicator 608) to pass to a location remote from the indicator 608 (e.g., a location associated with the platen 112, a location outside the outer portion 602, and/or any other location optically downstream from the indicator 608). For example, the rotary control 600 may include a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)636, the PCB 636 being substantially similar and/or identical to the PCB 556 described above with respect to the rotary control 528. In such examples, the PCB 636 may include one or more LEDs 638 disposed on, connected to, and/or at least partially embedded within a top surface 640 of the PCB 636 that is disposed opposite the indicator 608 and faces the indicator 608. The PCB 636 may also include one or more sensors (e.g., hall effect sensors, proximity sensors, optical sensors, etc.), switches, controllers, microprocessors, and/or other components configured to determine a position (e.g., a radial angle or position) of the outer portion 602 relative to the PCB 636 and/or other fixed components of the rotary control 600 and provide one or more signals including information indicative of such position to the controller or other digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 500. Such components of PCB 556 may also be operably connected to LEDs 638 and may be configured to control operation of the LEDs based at least in part on the position of outer portion 602, the rotational speed of outer portion 602, and/or other information or parameters.

In any such example, the indicator 608 can be configured such that rotation of the rotary control 600 produces a commensurate temporary illumination of at least a portion of the indicator 608. For example, the indicator 608 may be configured such that rotation of the top portion 604 about the central axis 605 may cause commensurate temporary illumination of at least a portion of the indicator 608 in any manner generally similar and/or identical to that described above with respect to the indicator 540 of the rotary control 528. In an example embodiment, the degree to which the indicator 608 is illuminated may indicate the number of degrees that the outer portion 602 has been rotated by the user 106 and/or the speed at which the outer portion 602 has been rotated by the user 106. In some examples, this illumination of indicator 608 may include a jump, a flash, a color change, a substantially constant illumination, and/or other illumination modalities.

Further, in certain examples, the rotary control 600 can include one or more additional components configured to provide tactile feedback to the user 106 as the user 106 rotates the top portion 604 and/or other components of the outer portion 602 about the central axis 605. As shown in fig. 42, such additional components may include an encoder 642 configured to at least partially restrict rotation of the outer portion 602 about the central axis 605. For example, encoder 642 may be disposed on, connected to, and/or at least partially embedded within top surface 640, and encoder 642 may include one or more detents substantially similar and/or identical to detents 555 described above with respect to frame 554 and/or carrier 552. For example, the encoder 642 may include a substrate 644 fixedly connected to the PCB 636 and a stem 646 extending from the substrate 644. In such examples, the stem 646 is rotatable relative to the substrate 644, and the substrate 644 or the stem 646 may include one or more detents configured to provide partial resistance to the stem 646 as the stem 646 is rotated relative to the substrate 644 and/or the top surface 640. In such examples, the outer portion 602 can be connected to the stem 646 such that one or more detents of the stem 646 and/or the substrate 644 can provide a partial resistance to the outer portion 602 as the user 106 rotates the outer portion 602 about the central axis 605. It is to be understood that in such examples, the central axis 605 may be generally centered through, for example, the stem 646 and/or the substrate 644. In any of the examples described herein, and in substantially the same manner as detents 555 described above, one or more detents of encoder 642 may be positioned, sized, and/or otherwise configured to coincide with a desired progressive change in a corresponding function of exercise machine 500. For example, in any of the examples described herein, the components of the PCB 636, the control software of the exercise machine 500, and/or the digital hardware 148 described above may be configured such that rotation of the outer portion 602 about the central axis 605 may cause any desired effect associated with the exercise machine 500 (generally the display 104, the

motors

114, 118, one or more speakers of the exercise machine 500, and/or other such components). Any of the functions described above with respect to the rotary control 528 (e.g., changing the position of the platen 112, changing the rotational speed of the belt 120, pausing the display of one or more exercise sessions on the display 104, causing an audible tone to be emitted, etc.) may also be performed by and/or otherwise controlled with the rotary control 600 in a manner generally similar and/or identical to that described above with respect to the rotary control 528.

As shown in fig. 42, rotary control 600 may also include an inner portion 610. In certain examples, the inner portion 610 can be fixedly connected to the outer portion 602, and in such examples, the inner portion 610 can be rotatable with the outer portion 602 about the central axis 605 of the rotary control 600. In other examples, the inner portion 610 may be separable from the outer portion 602 such that at least, for example, the top portion 604 is rotatable about the central axis 605 relative to the inner portion 610. In such examples, the inner portion 610 may be fixed relative to the top portion 604 as the top portion 604 rotates about the central axis 605. Inner portion 610 may include a generally dish-shaped plate 612 disposed generally centrally within top portion 604. In such examples, the central axis 605 may extend generally centrally through the plate 612. Additionally, the plate 612 may be disposed radially inward from, for example, the indicator 608 and/or the top 604. In some examples, the indicator 608 may be disposed on the plate 612 and/or otherwise connected to the plate 612, and in such examples, the top 604 and/or other components of the outer portion 602 may be rotatable relative to the plate 612 and the indicator 608.

The rotary control 600 may further include one or more input devices 614 substantially similar and/or identical to the input devices 546 described above with respect to the rotary control 528. For example, the rotary control 600 may include an input device 614 disposed generally centrally with respect to the plate 612. In some examples, input devices 614 may be disposed on board 612 and/or otherwise connected to board 612. In such examples, the top portion 604 and/or other components of the outer portion 602 are rotatable relative to the input device 614. Similar to input device 546, input device 614 may include one or more buttons, wheels, touch pads, levers, knobs, capacitive sensors, switches, or other components configured to receive input from user 106, and in such examples, the input received via input device 614 may be different and/or separate from the rotational input received from user 106 via top 604. In such examples, the input device 614 may be configured to control one or more functions of the exercise machine 500 that are different and/or separate from the functions of the exercise machine 500 controlled via rotation of the top portion 604. For example, rotation of the top 604 and/or other components of the outer portion 602 of the rotational control 600 may enable the user 106 to control the rotational speed of the belt 120, the position of the deck 112, and/or other functions of the exercise machine 500, and in such embodiments, input received via the input device 614 may control one or more additional functions of the exercise machine 500 that differ from the rotational speed of the belt 120, the position of the deck 112, and/or the like. For example, input received via the input device 614 may cause the belt 120 to begin rotating, may cause the belt 120 to stop rotating, may enable selection of one or more athletic lessons, may enable selection of one or more operating modes of the exercise machine 500, and/or may enable control of various other functions of the exercise machine 500.

As shown in fig. 42, the rotary control 600 can further include a spacer 616, the spacer 616 having a distal portion 618 and a proximal portion 620 extending from the distal portion 618. In such examples, distal portion 618 may connect to input device 614, mate with input device 614, contact input device 614, and/or otherwise engage input device 614. In certain examples, the distal portion 618 may include one or more electrical contacts, sensors, and/or other control components configured to transmit signals from the input device 614 to one or more microprocessors, filters, amplifiers, or other control components, e.g., the PCB 636. Additionally or alternatively, the distal portion 618 may engage the input device 614 and the proximal portion 620 may extend at least partially into the opening 648 of the stem 646 or through the opening 648 of the stem 646. In such examples, the proximal portion 620 can be connected to, mate with, contact, and/or otherwise engage one or more switches, sensors, electrical contacts, and/or other components of the PCB 636 that are configured to receive signals or other inputs from the input device 614. In certain examples, such components of the PCB 636 can include physical switches associated with the encoder 642 and/or the PCB 636. In such examples, when the user 106 presses the input device 614, the input device 614 may move proximally toward the PCB 636 generally along the central axis 605. Such movement may cause commensurate movement of the spacer 616 generally along the central axis 605 toward the switch, and in some examples, such movement may actuate the switch due to engagement between the proximal portion 620 and the switch.

As described above, the PCB 636 may include one or more LEDs 638 configured to emit visible light or other radiation. The rotary control 600 may also include one or more diffuser lenses, collimating lenses, diffractive lenses, prisms, and/or other optical components 622 optically disposed downstream of such LEDs 638. For example, the rotary control 600 may include an annular optical member 622 optically disposed between one or more of the LEDs 638 and the indicator 608. Such optics 622 may help diffuse radiation emitted by the LED638, focus radiation emitted by the LED638, and/or otherwise condition radiation emitted by the LED638, and may direct such radiation from the LED638 to the indicator 608.

In certain examples, the rotary control 600 may further include a substantially rigid frame 624, and one or more of the components described above with respect to the rotary control 600 may be connected to the frame 624. Additionally, the frame 624 may be directly coupled to, mounted to, and/or otherwise connected to the arm 504b, the crossbar 514, and/or other components of the exercise machine 500. For example, the frame 624 may include a generally disk-shaped base 626 or other member having one or more through-holes configured to facilitate connecting the frame 624 to the arm 504 b. In such examples, the PCB 636 can be connected to the base 626 and can remain fixed relative to the base 626 when, for example, causing the stem 646 or other components of the encoder 642 to rotate about the central axis 605. In such examples, the frame 624 can include an opening 632 that extends generally centrally through the frame 624, and the stem 646, the substrate 644, and/or other portions of the encoder 642 or PCB 636 can be connected to the outer portion 602 and/or components of the outer portion 602 via the opening 632. In such examples, at least a portion of the spacer 616 may be disposed within the opening 632 to facilitate connection between the input device 614 and one or more switches or other components of the encoder 642 and/or PCB 636.

Frame 624 may also include one or more additional components configured to support corresponding components of rotary control 600 and/or to at least partially guide the rotation of one or more such components relative to frame 624. For example, the frame 624 may include one or more generally

annular rings

628, 630 configured to at least partially support the outer portion 602. In certain examples, one or both of the

rings

628, 630 may include a generally cylindrical bearing surface and/or a cam surface. Such surfaces may include, for example, outer or inner surfaces of the

rings

628, 630 that are configured to contact, connect to, and/or otherwise engage one or more corresponding surfaces (e.g., follower surfaces) of the outer portion 602. In such examples, the outer portion 602 may be rotatably connected to the frame 624 and/or the encoder 642, and one or more generally cylindrical bearing surfaces and/or cam surfaces of the

rings

628, 630 may at least partially guide the outer portion 602 for rotation about the central axis 605.

In addition, the frame 624 may include one or more shelves 634 that extend generally perpendicular to one or both of the

rings

628, 630. Such shelves 634 may include a generally annular, generally planar surface of the frame 624, and in some examples, the shelves 634 may extend opposite and/or generally parallel to a corresponding surface of the base 626. In certain examples, at least a portion of the shelf 634 of the frame 624 can extend radially from the ring 628 to the ring 630. Additionally, in certain embodiments, optical component 622 may be supported by shelf 634, coupled to shelf 634, and/or disposed at least partially on shelf 634. In such examples, the shelf 634 can include one or more openings that permit radiation emitted by the one or more LEDs 638 of the PCB 636 to pass from the one or more LEDs 638 to the optic 622 substantially unobstructed. In certain examples, shelf 634 can include a plurality of such openings, and each opening of shelf 634 can be generally aligned with a corresponding LED638 of PCB 636 to help permit radiation emitted by the corresponding LED638 to pass to optics 622 and/or impinge on optics 622.

As shown in FIG. 41, the control member 516 may include a substantially rigid frame 563 coupled to the cross-bar 514 of the exercise machine 500. In such examples, the frame 563 may include a top surface 564 and a front surface 566, and the frame 563 may contain, carry, and/or otherwise at least partially support one or more components of the control 516. For example, the magnetic connector 518 described above may be connected to the frame 563, and such magnetic connector 518 may include a recess 568 configured to receive at least a portion of an emergency stop device carried by the user 106, attached to the user 106, and/or worn by the user 106. For example, as described above, such an emergency stop device may include a wire of a given length and a magnetic clamp or other component disposed at the end of the wire. During use of the exercise machine 500, the magnetic clamp at the end of the wire can be disposed on the recess 568 and/or at least partially within the recess 568. In such examples, the recess 568 may include one or more magnets having a polarity opposite to the magnetic clip disposed at the end of the wire, such that the clip may be at least temporarily at least partially retained within the recess 568 by magnetic force. The exercise machine 500 can be configured such that the belt 120 of the deck 112 can rotate only when the magnetic clamp at the end of the wire is disposed on the recess 568 and/or at least partially within the recess 568. Additionally, removal of the magnetic clamp from the recess 568 may cause the belt 120 to stop. In such examples, magnetic connector 518 may include one or more sensors or other components configured to determine the presence of the magnetic clip at least partially within recess 568 and/or the removal of the magnetic clip from recess 568. Such sensors of the magnetic connector 518 may be operatively connected to the controller and/or other digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 500 to facilitate such operation.

In certain examples, the control 516 may also include one or more additional sensors 570 disposed on the front surface 566 or the top surface 564. In such examples, such additional sensors 570 may include one or more proximity sensors, biometric sensors, and/or other sensors, etc., configured to determine the presence of the user 106, the location of the user 106, and/or performance parameters of the user 106. In certain examples, one or more such sensors 570 may be similar to and/or substantially the same as one or more of the sensors 147 discussed above with respect to at least fig. 29. For example, such sensors 570 may be configured to measure, sense, detect, and/or otherwise determine a user's heart rate, respiration, water hydration, calorie burn, or any other physical function metric, or receive such data from sensors provided by the user 106. Such sensors 570 may be operably connected to the controller, memory, and/or other digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 500.

Further, in any of the examples described herein, the control 516 may include one or more input devices 572 in addition to the input devices 520 discussed above. Similar to input device 520, input device 572 may be configured to receive input from user 106 during use of exercise machine 500. In such examples, one or more such input devices 572 may include buttons, wheels, touch pads, levers, knobs, capacitive sensors, switches, or other components configured to receive input from the user 106, and similar to the input device 520, the input devices 572 may be configured to control and/or may enable the user 106 to control a corresponding function of the exercise machine 500. In such examples, the input device 520 may be configured to provide control of a first function of the exercise machine 500, and the input device 572 may be configured to provide control of a second function of the exercise machine 500 that is different from the first function associated with the input device 520.

Display and user interface

One or more of the displays 104 may be driven by a user input device (e.g., a touch screen, mouse, volume control, or other suitable input device). In some examples, the display 104 or at least a portion of the display 104 may include a touch screen configured to receive touch input from the user 104. The one or more displays 104 may be of any size, but are preferably large enough and oriented to allow the display of a range of information including: one or more video streams, a series of performance metrics corresponding to the user 106, a series of additional performance metrics associated with one or more additional users exercising on the exercise machine remote from the exercise machine 102, and a series of different controls. In different exemplary embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in fig. 4, the display 104 may include some or all of its areas capable of being imaged by the user 106 to provide feedback to the user regarding the user's body shape and performance of various activities.

In various exemplary embodiments, a user may selectively present a range of different information, including live and/or archived video, performance data, and other user and system information, using display 104 or one or more user interfaces 200 displayed on display 104. As will be described below with respect to at least fig. 12-24, such a user interface 200 may provide a number of various control and information windows that may be accessed and removed individually and/or in groups by clicking, touching, voice command, or gesture. In various exemplary embodiments, such a window may provide information about the user's own performance and/or information about the performance of other participants in the same lesson before and now.

The example user interface 200 presented via the display 104 may be used to access member information, log in and out of the system 100, access live content (e.g., live fitness lessons), and archive lessons or other content. User information may be displayed in various forms, and may include historical and current performance, as well as account information, social network links and information, achievements, and the like. The user interface 200 described herein may also be used to access the system 100 to update profile or member information, manage account settings (e.g., information sharing), and control device settings.

The example user interface 200 may also be presented on one or more displays 104 to allow a user to manage their experience, including selecting information to be displayed and how that information is to be displayed on the display 104. Such a user interface 200 may present multiple types of information overlaid such that the user 106 may easily select or deselect different types of information. For example, the performance indicators and/or other information may be displayed on the video content using transparent or partially transparent elements so that the video behind the information elements may be seen along with (i.e., simultaneously with) the performance indicators and/or other information itself. Additionally, the example user interface 200 may present the user 106 with multiple screens between which the user 106 may quickly move using the provided user input means (including by touch if a touch screen is used).

In any of the examples described herein, the processor and/or other components of the digital hardware 148 may control the display 104 and/or otherwise cause the display 104 to display the various user interfaces 200 of the present disclosure. For example, the processor or other components of the digital hardware 148 may cause the display 104 to display the user interface 200, the user interface 200 including a home screen that provides basic information about the system 100 and/or the exercise machine 102 as well as available options. Such a home screen may provide a direct link to information such as planned courses, archived courses, leaderboards, coaches, and/or vignettes and account information. The home screen may also provide a direct link to content, for example, a link to join a particular course. The user may navigate between different portions of the home screen by selecting such a link using an applicable input device (e.g., by touching the touch screen at the indicated location, or by sliding open a new screen). The example user interface 200 providing such a home screen may also provide other information related to the user (e.g., social networking information), as well as provide navigation buttons that allow the user to quickly move between different screens in the user interface.

In various exemplary embodiments, the user 106 may use one or more of the user interfaces 200 to browse and select among both live content and archived content. For example, as shown in fig. 12-14, the example user interface 200 may include one or more toolbars 202 that enable the user 106 to access a list and/or other information about available workout sessions. Such an example toolbar 200 may include corresponding tabs or other controls that enable the user 106 to browse through such content. For example, toolbar 200 may include a first tab 204 that enables a user to access featured live workout and archived workout lessons, a second tab 206 that enables a user to access archived workout libraries, a third tab 208 that enables a user to access live lesson scheduling, a fourth tab 210 that enables a user to access various quick start or "run only" content, and/or other additional or different tabs.

As shown in fig. 12 and 13, if the user 106 selects the first tab 204 associated with a featured course, the user interface 200 can present an arrangement of upcoming live courses or archived courses that achieve a high ranking or other preferred (e.g., "featured") position. User interface 200 may include one or more drop down menus or other display features, and such features may also allow a user to find such featured courses by genre, coach, or by any other suitable category. The user interface 200 associated with the featured course tab 204 can allow the user 106 to select future courses (as illustrated by the thumbnails or icons 212, 214) or to start an ongoing course or an upcoming course (as illustrated by the thumbnails or

icons

216, 218, 220). Additionally, the user interface 200 associated with the featured course tab 204 can allow the user 106 to select an already held, archived course or an on-demand course (as illustrated by the thumbnail or icon 221). The lesson arrangements and information related to the "featured" content or any other content may be presented in any suitable form, including a calendar, a list, or any other suitable layout, via such a user interface 200. For example, selecting the third tab 208 associated with the live schedule of fitness lessons may result in the user interface 200 presenting the next schedule of live lessons set forth on the calendar.

As illustrated by the example user interface 200 shown in fig. 14, if the user 106 selects the second tab 206 associated with the course library, the system 100 may provide the user interface 200 showing information related to available archived courses, and such information may be categorized in a number of different ways. As illustrated by menu icon 222, user interface 200 may filter the courses included in the course library such that only icons or thumbnails 225 corresponding to courses associated with running, fitness training (boot camp), and stepping (off-foot) are provided to user 106. Additionally, such user interface 200 may include one or more drop-down menus 224 that enable the user 106 to further filter the courses included in the course library. For example, such a drop down menu 224 may enable the user 106 to select a course based on coaching, duration, type of course, style of music, body part being addressed, type of fitness, and the like. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 14, icons or thumbnails 225 may be displayed in any suitable form and may include information including the course trainer, the length of the course, the date the course was originally taken, the type of course, and/or other relevant information. In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, selecting one of the thumbnails 225 may reveal additional information to the user 106 via an additional window 226 of the user interface 200. Such additional information may include, for example, the level of the lesson, the number of times the user has previously attended the lesson, the body parts of the targeted exercise during the lesson, additional equipment (e.g., dumbbells) that may be needed during the lesson, and other performance or lesson related information.

16-18 illustrate an example user interface 200 that may be provided to the user 106 during a selected workout. When a workout session is played on one or more displays 104 through the user interface 200, in various exemplary embodiments, the main video delivery may be shown full screen or in a sub-window on the display 104 as background video. Information elements may be provided on different portions of the display screen to indicate any performance metrics, including total time, elapsed time, time remaining, distance, speed, mile speed of the user 106, grade, altitude, resistance, power, total work, energy expended (e.g., output), cadence, heart rate, respiration, hydration, calories burned, and/or any customizable performance score that may be developed. The displayed information may also include trends or relationships between different performance indicators. For example, the display may indicate a particular indicator using a color that indicates a current performance compared to the average performance of the lesson or compared to the average performance over a period of time, e.g., using a red color to indicate a current performance that is lower than the average performance or using a green color to indicate a current performance that is higher than the average performance. Trends or relative performance may also be displayed using colors and graphics, for example, using red down arrows to show that the current performance is below average.

In various exemplary embodiments, the display 104 may also display information that supports or supplements the information provided by the trainer. Examples include one or more segment timelines 228, the one or more segment timelines 228 being displayed in the user interface 200 along with at least a portion of the selected workout. As shown in fig. 16-18, example segmented timeline 228 may include one or

more segments

230a, 230b, 230c … 230n (collectively, "segments 230") corresponding to respective portions or segments of a selected workout. The size, length, width, height, relative position, color, opacity, and/or other configuration of these segments 230 may represent, for example, the length of time of the corresponding portion or section of the selected workout. Segmented timeline 228 may also provide an indication 232 of elapsed time and/or time remaining for the present workout session and/or generally for the workout session. Segmented timeline 228 may also include one or more

visual indicators

234a, 234b, 234c … 234n (collectively "indicators 234") that indicate activities and/or equipment needed during various portions or sections of a selected workout. For example, indicator 234a can indicate that segment 230a includes a walking link, indicator 234d can indicate that segment 230c includes a running link, and indicator 234b can indicate that at least a portion of segment 230a requires dumbbells. In any of the examples described herein, such a timeline 228 may also include one or more lists or windows that identify and/or describe content including: upcoming exercise sessions or exercise characteristics, instructional information such as graphics or video demonstrating how to properly conduct fitness, or other information related to the ongoing fitness session.

As shown in fig. 16-18, the user interface 200 can include a main window 236, the main window 236 configured to show live workout sessions or archived workout sessions or other content selected by the user 106. In various exemplary embodiments, the user interface 200 may also include one or more performance indicator windows 238 (e.g., "scorecards" illustrated in fig. 16 and 17) overlaid on the main window 236 and/or otherwise displayed with the main window 236. Such performance metrics window 238 may display a ranking, a total output, a current output, a grade, a tape speed, a mile speed, and/or other performance metrics or other performance information for the user's current lesson, previous lessons. Such performance indicator windows 238 may be presented anywhere on the display 104, and such performance indicator windows 238 may be selectable by the user so that they may be displayed or removed by screen touch or gesture.

The user interface 200 may also allow the user 106 to switch between the display of maximum, average, and component performance for different performance indicators. Additionally, the user interface 200 may allow the user 106 to hide or display information elements, including performance metrics, video streams, user information, etc., all at once, or individually. The performance indicators and/or other performance information may also be displayed in different display bars 240, 242, which display bars 240, 242 may be hidden or displayed in groups or individually. The user interface 200 may provide complete control over the volume, input and output, and display output properties.

As shown in fig. 18, a leaderboard 244 can also be displayed to allow the user 106 to view their performance compared to others participating in the same workout session. In various exemplary embodiments, the leaderboard 244 can include a separate window overlaid on the main window 236 and/or otherwise displayed with the main window 236. The example leaderboard 244 may be configured to display the relative performance of all participants and/or the relative performance of the participants of one or more groupings. For example, the user 106 can select a leaderboard 244 that shows performance of participants by a particular age group, male participants, female participants, male participants in a particular age group, participants in a particular geographic area, and so forth. As indicated by the example filter shown in fig. 18, the leaderboard 244 has been configured to show performance for a group of female participants around the age of 20. The user 106 may have the ability to independently organize and/or otherwise configure the leaderboard 244, or the user 106 may cause the system 100 to organize the leaderboard 244 by selecting an appropriate set of participants relative to the user 106. The user 106 can organize their own leaderboard 244 for a particular, previously recorded lesson to create a leaderboard 244 that provides the best personal performance of the incentivizing user 106.

The user 106 may be provided with the ability to deselect the leaderboard 244 in its entirety and remove the leaderboard 244 from the user interface 200. In different exemplary embodiments, the exercise machine 102 may include various social networking aspects, such as allowing the user 106 to focus on other participants or create a group or circle of participants. User lists and information may be accessed, sorted, filtered, and used in many various different ways. For example, other users may be classified, grouped, and/or divided based on any characteristic including personal information (e.g., age, gender, weight) or based on performance such as current power output, speed, or custom score.

The leaderboard 244 can be fully interactive, allowing the user 106 to: scrolling the participant ranking up and down, selecting a participant to access their performance details, creating a connection such as selecting to focus on the participant, or establishing a direct communication (e.g., through an audio and/or video connection). The leaderboard 244 may also display the personal best performance of the user in the same or similar class of lessons to allow the user 106 to compare their current performance with their previous personal best performance. In some examples, such performance information may also be displayed in one or more of the display bars 240, 242. The leaderboard 244 can also highlight certain participants (e.g., participants focused by the user 106), or other visual cues can be provided to indicate connections or provide other information about particular entries on the leaderboard 244.

In different exemplary embodiments, the leaderboard 244 will also allow the users 106 to view their location and performance information at any time while scrolling the leaderboard 244. For example, if the user 106 scrolls up toward the top of the leaderboard 244, e.g., by dragging their finger up the display 104, the user 106 will lock in place and other portions of the leaderboard 244 will scroll below it when the user 106 reaches the bottom of the leaderboard 244. Similarly, if the user 106 scrolls down toward the bottom of the leaderboard 244, when the user's window reaches the top of the leaderboard 244, the user's window will lock in place and the other portions of the leaderboard 244 will continue to scroll underneath it.

In various exemplary embodiments, the system 100 may calculate and/or display one or more custom scores to describe one or more aspects of the user's performance. An example of such a custom score would be a decimal calculated for a particular course or user session. Such a score may also be calculated using performance data from some or all of the courses or sessions over a particular period of time. In any of the examples described herein, such a custom score may be calculated and/or otherwise determined by the system 100 and/or by one or more processors of the exercise machine 102 based at least in part on: an amount of time elapsed during a workout, a total output or total energy consumed by user 106 during such a workout, and/or a number of workout sessions in which user 106 participated within a given period of time.

In various exemplary embodiments, performance information regarding other users may also be presented on the leaderboard 244 or in any other form, including forms that may be categorized by related performance parameters. The user may decide whether to make their performance available to all users, selected users, and/or coaches, or whether to maintain their performance private so that no other person can see their performance.

In various exemplary embodiments, the user interface 200 may also present one or more video streams from a range of different sources. For example, one video stream may be live or archived course content displayed in the main window 236 while one or more additional video streams may be displayed in other windows on the display 104. The different video streams may include live or recorded streamed coach video or any other video content, including one or more live video chat streams. Such video content may include instructional information, such as information content or presentation content regarding how to perform a particular fitness activity. Such video content may also include visual cues, such as timing indicators, counters, etc., for the user 106 to follow when developing their fitness campaign.

In further examples, one or more of the in-class user interfaces 200 illustrated in fig. 16-18 may be configured to provide one or more notifications 246 to the user 106 during a workout session. For example, one or more of the sensors 147 may be configured to sense, detect, and/or otherwise determine a load applied to one or both of the belt 120, the platen 112, the

motors

114, 118, and/or at least one of the other components of the exercise machine 102. Such sensors 147 may send one or more signals indicative of such loads and/or changes in such loads to the processor or other digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 102. In response, at least in part, to such a signal, the processor or other digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 102 may cause a notification 246 to be displayed on the display 104 with at least a portion of the exercise session selected by the user 106. Such a signal may indicate, for example, that user 106 left belt 120 during the running segment of the fitness program. Accordingly, such a notification 246 may indicate that the user 106 has left the belt 120 and/or the platen 112. Such a notification 246 may also request a response from user 106. For example, such a notification 246 may request that the user 106 confirm that he/she is not injured and/or that the user 106 wishes to continue exercising.

As illustrated by the example user interface 200 shown in fig. 19-21, if the user 106 selects the fourth tab 210 associated with the "run only" function of the exercise machine 102, the system 100 may provide the user interface 200 showing information related to the available quick start running exercise/application. For example, the user interface 200 may include one or more icons or

thumbnails

248, 250, 252 that allow the user 106 to select a desired workout. Free-form icon 248 may, for example, enable user 106 to set his/her own grade, belt speed, running course, and/or other parameters, and may enable user 106 to exercise in an unlimited and unrestricted manner (e.g., no particular exercise session is displayed on display 104). The landscape icon 250 may be similar to the freestyle icon 248 in the following respects, including: the landscape icon 250 may enable the user 106 to perform fitness without displaying a particular fitness session on the display 104. However, in response to receiving an input indicating selection of the landscape icon 250, the user interface 200 may present a plurality of additional icons or thumbnails 254 corresponding to respective landscape runways stored in the memory of the exercise machine 102. Such an icon or thumbnail 254 is illustrated in fig. 20. After selecting one of the icons or thumbnails 254, the user interface 200 may display the selected runway on the display 104 as the user 106 exercises on the treadmill 102. Additionally, the game icon 252 may enable the user 106 to develop a relatively high intensity exercise without displaying a particular workout on the display 104. For example, in response to receiving input indicating selection of the game icon 252, the user interface 200 may present a plurality of additional icons or thumbnails 256 corresponding to respective time-based challenges or games stored in the memory of the exercise machine 102. Such an icon or thumbnail 256 is illustrated in fig. 21. After selecting one of the icons or thumbnails 256, the user interface 200 may display the belt speed, the deck grade, the output, the elapsed time, the mile speed, the calories burned, and/or other performance parameters or other information associated with the selected game on the display 104.

22-24 illustrate an example user interface 200 configured to provide performance information to user 106 before, during, or after a selected workout. For example, the user interface 200 illustrated in fig. 23 provides an overview of information associated with a particular user 106 (e.g., "clementinecein"). As indicated in the user interface 200 of fig. 23, such information may include, among other things, the number of attendees that the user 106 has, the number of peer participants that the user 106 is interested in, the number of lifetime runs, rides, cycles (or other workouts) completed by the user 106, various achievements or rewards achieved by the user 106, personal best output records of the user 106, a timeline of the user's recent workout activities, and/or other such general information associated with the user's workout activities. Such information may be displayed in one or more separate portions or

windows

258, 260 of the user interface 200. In further examples, such information may, on the other hand, be provided in alternative forms, windows, or locations in the user interface 200.

On the other hand, the user interfaces 200 illustrated in fig. 22 and 24 provide performance metrics, performance information, and/or other more detailed information associated with the exercise history of a particular user 106. For example, as indicated in user interface 200 of fig. 22, such information may include a list of exercises or other workout sessions that user 106 has performed during the week and/or the month. Such information may be displayed in the first window 262 of the user interface 200, and such information may also include an overview of the user's output during each fitness session, the date and time of the session, the trainer, and/or other information. The user interface 200 may also include one or more additional windows 264 and/or other forms that may be helpful in providing additional information related to the exercise history of the user 106. For example, such additional windows 264 may provide a particular performance indicator (e.g., heart rate trend line, segmented timeline, average heart rate, total output, and/or other performance indicators) associated with a particular one of the previous workouts shown in the first window 262.

Similarly, as illustrated in fig. 24, one or more additional user interfaces 200 providing information associated with the workout history of a particular user 106 may include the window 262 described above, as well as one or more

additional windows

266, 268 providing achievements, output trends, and/or other workout information. For example, window 266 may display the total output, running distance, rise height, calories burned, average output and/or energy consumed, average speed, average mile speed, and/or other information associated with a particular one of the previous workouts shown in first window 262. Window 266 can also display a leaderboard ranking of the user 106 corresponding to a particular one of the previous workouts and various achievements harvested for developing the one of the previous workouts. On the other hand, window 268 may provide a speed, output, and or other trendlines associated with a particular one of the previous workouts. Accordingly, the user interface 200 illustrated in fig. 22-24 may provide the user 106 with relatively detailed performance information that the user 106 may utilize to improve his/her overall health and/or competency. Any information provided via the user interface 200 described herein may be stored in memory or other components of the digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 102 and/or may be stored remotely.

The performance-focused user interface 200 illustrated in FIGS. 22-24 may also be configured to provide information obtained from various additional sources. For example, data related to user performance may also be collected from various sources other than the various sensors 147 on the main exercise machine 102. As illustrated in fig. 5, other exercise machines 102 and devices used during an exercise session may each include one or more sensors to collect information related to user performance. The user 106 may also use a variety of other garments or devices (e.g., watches, wristbands, headbands, hats, shoes, etc.) attached to their body that include one or more additional sensors 270. Other exercise machines 272 may also be used by the user 106, such as dumbbells, resistance bands, rollers, or any other suitable equipment, and such exercise machines 272 may also include one or more such additional sensors 270. Data from all of these sources may be collected and analyzed by the local system 100 to provide user performance feedback.

One challenge with collecting certain types of data from these sensors 270 is determining the appropriate context for interpreting the data so that accurate information about the user's performance can be obtained. For example, a sensor 270 worn on the user's wrist may provide data indicating that the user's wrist has performed a series of movements consistent with several different fitness items, however it may be difficult or impossible to know which fitness item the user 106 actually performed. Without context, data displaying the user's wrist up and down may indicate that the user 106 is running or that the user may simply have moved their arm. Thus, the performance data obtained from these sensors 270 may be very inaccurate.

In various exemplary embodiments, data from various sensors 270 on the exercise machine 272 (e.g., free-weight adjusting equipment) and on the user's body may be collected, and the system 100 may use information related to a trainer-led type collective exercise session to improve accuracy by providing context to the interpretation of sensor data collected from all sources. If the course trainer instructs, for example, the user 106 to make a push-up, the system 100 may assume that the sensed motion consistent with the push-up is actually a push-up and interpret the sensor data accordingly. The context provided by the coach-led collective fitness session may greatly improve the resulting performance data.

Accordingly, one or more of the user interfaces 200 described with respect to at least fig. 22-24 may also provide one or more additional windows that may be used to display any performance data and/or other information obtained from the sensors 270 and/or exercise machine 272. Such additional windows may also be configured to display a series of content or secondary video streams that include additional performance data, information about the lesson, coach, other participants, and the like. Such additional windows may allow user 106 to view a series of information related to other participants now or before to compare performance and allow user 106 to open or close voice or video chat streams or other communication channels. In various exemplary embodiments, the user 106 may simultaneously access and/or view other content including movies, television channels, online channels, etc. via one or more of such additional windows.

In different exemplary embodiments, the user interface 200 described herein may be run by a native program or application utilizing a native operating system, such as an Android or iOS application, or via a browser-based system. Any of the performance metrics or other information described herein with respect to the different user interfaces 200 may also be accessed remotely via any suitable network, such as the internet. For example, the users 106 can access a website from a tablet, mobile phone, computer, and/or any other digital device, and the users 106 can review historical information, communicate with other participants, schedule courses, access coaching information, and/or view any information described herein with respect to the different user interfaces 200 through such a website.

User generated content

One feature of a live collective fitness class is the ability to see other participants who are performing fitness exercises or other activities in response to the direction of the class leader. This ability to see others who perform the same fitness activity or activities may provide motivation for maintaining or improving performance, or help users confirm that they are performing the proper fitness activity in the correct form. In various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the video streams may be displayed on one or more displays 104 of respective exercise machines 102, thereby showing other course participants performing the exercise routine as directed by a coach or other course leader. In various exemplary embodiments, such additional video streams may include user-generated content related to live or previously recorded workout content. For example, referring to FIG. 8, an exemplary embodiment is illustrated in which video streams of other course participants are displayed in sub-windows 274a, 274b, 274c … 274n (collectively "sub-windows 274") that are displayed on the display 104 across a top portion of the user interface 200. Such a sub-window 274 may be displayed on the display 104 while the trainer is displayed in the main window 276 of the user interface 200. Such content may be streamed live if the lesson is a live lesson. If the course is an archived course, such content may be streamed live if other course participants are also participating in the course at the same time, or such content may be from archived content from other course participants when previously participating in the course. One or more of these video streams may be displayed on one or more displays 104 as described herein. Additionally, by touching, selecting, and/or otherwise providing input via one of the sub-windows 274, the user interface 200 can provide an additional window 278 that enables the user 106 to zoom in on video associated with the selected sub-window, focus on the user associated with the selected sub-window, and/or launch one or more additional activities associated with the selected sub-window.

In various exemplary embodiments, the users 106 can also provide feedback related to these user-generated content. For example, the user 106 can enter positive or negative feedback to indicate their opinion, such as by clicking on an icon provided via the additional window 278 to indicate that they like or dislike the user-generated content, or otherwise enter their opinion.

In various exemplary embodiments, the user 106 may also select whether to display any such user-generated content. If user-generated content is displayed, the determination of which user-generated content to display to a particular user 106 may be made in a number of different ways. In various exemplary embodiments, the user-generated content may be selected by the user 106 selecting the user-generated content from among the user-generated content available for the particular workout currently displayed via the display 104. Such user-generated content may also be chosen by a course coach or one or more content editors, such user-generated content may be presented via a content queue ordered based on any suitable criteria, or such user-generated content may be chosen by the system 100 based on one or more suitable criteria. For example, the user-generated content to be displayed may simply be a time-based queue of available user-generated content, regardless of quality.

In various exemplary embodiments, the user-generated content to be displayed may be selected to provide the best quality of user-generated content available for the particular workout selected when viewed. When a course is publicly live, the user-generated content available will be limited to live streaming content generated during the course itself. For an archived course, the available user-generated content may include all of the content generated by each user that has participated in the course at any time. The user-generated content to be displayed for the archived lesson may be selected based on the accumulated rating of the user-generated content over time, or based on any other popularity metric. Such a methodology would lead to an improvement over time in the user-generated content displayed with any archived lessons because: user-generated content that receives the best feedback will be selected for display, while user-generated content that does not receive positive feedback will not be displayed.

Local system

As mentioned above, the example local system 100 may include the exercise machine 102 and a series of associated sensing, data storage, processing, and/or communication components (e.g., digital hardware 148). In example embodiments, such components may be provided onboard the exercise machine 102 itself and/or provided to be positioned proximate to the exercise machine 102. The processing, data storage, and/or communication components may be positioned within the housing of the display 104 to form a single integrated on-board computer and display screen, or the processing, data storage, and/or communication components may be separately housed locally on the exercise machine 102 or near the exercise machine 102. Such an example local system 100 may communicate with one or more remote servers over wired or wireless connections using any suitable network or protocol.

Additionally, as mentioned above, the example exercise machine 102 may be equipped with various sensors 147 to measure, sense, detect, and/or otherwise determine information related to user performance metrics. Such information may be stored in a memory associated with digital hardware 148 and/or in a memory associated with a remote server, and such information may be used by a processor and/or other components of digital hardware 148 to determine one or more of the performance metrics described herein and/or to determine other performance information. The exercise machine 102 may also be equipped with or connected to various data input devices or other user interfaces, such as a display 104, a touch screen, a video camera, and/or a microphone.

The sensors 147 and other input devices may communicate with local and/or remote processing and storage devices using any suitable connection, including wired or wireless connections, via any suitable communication protocol and network. In various exemplary embodiments, local communications may be managed using a variety of techniques. For example, local communications may be managed using wired transmissions having a serial protocol to communicate between sensors and consoles. Local communication may also be managed using a wireless communication protocol, such as the ANT or ANT + protocol. ANT is a 2.4GHz utility wireless network protocol and embedded system solution designed specifically for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) that require ultra-low power. Advantages include extremely compact architecture, network flexibility and scalability, ease of use, and low system cost. Various combinations of wired and wireless local communication may also be used.

Access to any suitable communication network (e.g., the internet) may be used to provide information to and receive information from other exercise machines 102 or other resources (e.g., back-office systems or platforms). In various exemplary embodiments, the local system 100 may access and display information related to other users directly through the distributed platform or indirectly through the central platform, regardless of the location of the other users. These other users may be present at the same location or at nearby locations, or these other users may be at remote locations.

Content creation and distribution

Content for transmission to the user 106, including live and archived workout sessions, live and archived instructional content (e.g., video content that describes how to properly conduct a workout), landscape-style content or map-based content that can be rendered three-dimensional from any angle, video, and/or animation, can be created and stored in different local or remote locations and shared via the network fitness system. Such an example network fitness system is illustrated in at least fig. 9. This overview of such a network fitness system is merely exemplary, and it will be readily appreciated that example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented with a variety of different system architectures using centralized or distributed content creation and distribution techniques.

In various exemplary embodiments, the networked fitness system 100 is managed by one or more networked backend servers, and the networked fitness system 100 includes various databases for storing user information, system information, performance information, archived content, and the like. The user's local system 100 communicates with the network backend server via any suitable network, including but not limited to the internet. As an example of an alternative distribution method, in various exemplary embodiments, background servers may be eliminated and data may be communicated throughout the system in a distributed or peer-to-peer manner, rather than via a central server network. In such systems, the performance data may be broken up into small packets or "fragments" and distributed among the user devices, so that the complete data set is quickly distributed to all devices for display as required.

Content for distribution over a network can be created in a number of different ways. Content recording locations may include professional content recording studios or amateur and home-based locations. In various exemplary embodiments, the recording studio may include space for a live, collared fitness workout in the case of live studio participation, or may be a dedicated studio in the case of no live, studio participation. As shown in fig. 9, the recording appliance includes one or more video cameras 300, microphones 302, mp3 players or other music players 304, and/or other components that may be used to capture coaches and/or participants during a course. Multiple cameras 300 may provide different perspectives, and the 3D camera 300 may be used to create 3D content. In various exemplary embodiments, the content may also be generated locally by the user 106. For example, the exercise machine 102 may be equipped with recording equipment including a microphone 302 and a camera 300. The user 106 may generate live or recorded lessons, which may be transmitted, stored in the system, and distributed throughout the network.

With continued reference to fig. 9, the lesson content may be generated by providing as input to the audio mixer 306 the output of one or more of the video camera 300, the microphone 302, and/or the music player 304. Audio mixer 306 may output the content to analog-to-digital converter 308, which analog-to-digital converter 308 may provide the converted data to production switchyard 310. Production switchplexer 310 may send production video to video encoder 312, which video encoder 312 may store the encoded video to local storage 314, and which video encoder 312 may also send the encoded video to video transcoder 316. The video transcoder 316 can output the transcoded data to a video packager 318, which video packager 318 can then transmit the packaged data stream to a remote system user 322 over a content distribution network 320. In various exemplary embodiments, a coach and/or user 106 may be provided access to a content creation platform that the coach and/or user 106 may use to help them create content. Such a platform may provide tools for selecting and editing music, managing volume control, pushing chats or other communications to users.

As described above, through the display 104 and/or other user interfaces on the exercise machine 102 of the user 106, the user 106 may access a list, schedule, and schedule of live and recorded exercise sessions available for transmission through the display 104. In various exemplary embodiments, after user 106 selects a course, local system 100 accesses and displays a main data stream for the course. The main data stream may include video, music, voice, text, or any other data, and the main data stream may present a live or previously recorded recurring lesson. The local system 100 may be equipped for hardware video acceleration encoding/decoding to manage high definition video with quality up to 1080 pixels based on existing technologies. The local system 100 may automatically adjust the bit rate/quality of the data stream for the lesson to bring the highest quality video to the participants based on the bandwidth/hardware limitations of the user.

In various exemplary embodiments, the network fitness system and method of the present disclosure may include a multidirectional communication and data transfer capability that allows video, audio, voice, and data to be shared among all users and/or coaches. This allows a user to access and display multiple video and audio streams from coaches and/or other users (regardless of their location) and to establish direct communication with other users to have private or conference type video and/or audio communication during a live or recorded session. Such a data stream may be established by the local system 100 for presentation via one or more of the user interfaces 200 described above via one or more displays 104. In various exemplary embodiments, the user 106 may manage multiple data streams to select and control inputs and outputs. The local system 100 may allow the user 106 to control the volume of the main audio stream for the lesson as well as the volume of other audio channels for different users or even the volume of unrelated audio streams (e.g., the volume of a telephone call or the volume of the user's own music collection). This would allow the user 106 to turn down the volume of the coach to facilitate conversation with other users, for example.

For live lessons, in various exemplary embodiments, the coach may have the ability to communicate with the entire class or contact individual users simultaneously and solicit feedback from all users in real time regardless of their location. For example, the coach may verbally ask the user or send a pop-up message to the user 106 in text, seeking feedback on difficulty level, music selection, range of course content, and the like. The user 106 may then reply via a component of the local system 100 by selecting an appropriate reply or providing verbal feedback. This allows coaches to adaptively design a course against the participants' needs in a crowd-sourced manner and improve their course by soliciting feedback or voting on the particular course characteristics or elements.

In various exemplary embodiments, the coach can also set performance goals, and the system can measure and display their performance relative to the goals to the user 106 and coach. For example, the coach may set a target metric, such as target power and speed, and then display the target metric next to the user reading the content in such a way that a color coding is used to indicate whether the user has reached the target. The system may allow the trainer to remotely adjust the exercise machine settings for each individual user 106. In various exemplary embodiments, the exercise machine 102 may also automatically adjust based on information from the user 106, the trainer, or based on performance. For example, the exercise machine 102 may adjust the difficulty level to maintain a particular performance parameter (e.g., heart rate) within a particular range, or to achieve a particular performance goal.

In various exemplary embodiments, users 106 may control access to their own information, including sensor data, performance metrics, and personal information. Such data may be stored at the local system 100, may be transmitted for storage and management by the remote system and sharing with other users, or may be stored remotely but not shared with other users. User 106 may also choose to disclose their presence to other users on the system, or participate in the lesson without having their presence known to other users.

In various exemplary embodiments, user 106 may access a list of all or selected participants for the current and/or past courses. Such a list may include performance information for such users, such as total power, speed, number of steps, cadence, resistance, or custom scores that provide information about relative user performance. Such a list may also include controls to allow the user to open a live stream, such as a live video chat stream, to the user.

System features and user resources

In various exemplary embodiments, the network fitness system and method may allow users 106 to create accounts and save and manage their performance data. As discussed above, the system may allow the user 106 to browse schedules for upcoming live lessons, register for future live streaming lessons, and set reminders. User 106 can also invite others to participate in live lessons and set up text entries, email entries, voice entries, or other notification and calendar entries. In addition to the user interface of the local system 100 associated with the user's exercise machine 102, the user 106 can also access the system, account numbers, performance, and all other data via a web-based or application-based interface to desktop and/or mobile devices.

In various exemplary embodiments, the system may provide: multiple users are simultaneously participating in a recorded lesson synchronized by the system and are allowed access to all of the same communications and data sharing features available for live lessons. With such a feature, participants simultaneously participating in the same archived lesson can compete against each other as well as against past performances or "virtual" participants of the same lesson.

Referring to fig. 10 and 11, the system may be configured to feed synchronized live and/or archived video content and live and/or archived sensor data to a user over a network. In various exemplary embodiments, the network fitness system may be configured with a plurality of user gyms 400 in communication with a video chat platform 402, a video content distribution network 404, the video content distribution network 404 receiving audio video content from one or more content sources 406. The user exercise machine 400 may also communicate with various other networks and servers. For example, the user exercise machine 400 may exchange sensor and performance data and/or signaling, including historical data or "virtual participant" data, with various databases 408. The control station may provide signals over the network to control data collection, storage, and management throughout the system.

One challenge in using contrast data from live and/or historical sources is synchronization, as some users 106 may begin exercising before the actual session begins, while other users may not join until after the session has begun. In order to provide accurate data relating to the performance of courses, including archived performance data, for use in a leaderboard, each course may have a special "go" signal or start signal that serves as a starting point in time for the data comparison. The archived performance data can be calibrated to the same "go" signal as the live participant data, allowing the comparative data to be presented through a leader board or other display until the end of the lesson. The "stop" signal at the end of the lesson marks the end point in time of the performance comparison for both live and archived performance data. If a participant joins the lesson after the "go" signal, their data can be properly synchronized since the time they joined the lesson.

Fig. 11 shows different events relative to time, increasing from left to right on the scale at the bottom. The timeline for the course itself (whether a live or archived course) is shown at the top, with the timelines for four different participants shown below the timeline for the course itself. The video transmitted for a live or archived session may begin at video start point 420 before the actual session begins. The GO signal point 422 indicates the start of a lesson or the start of a lesson contrast period, the STOP signal point 424 indicates the end of a lesson or the end of a lesson contrast period, and the end video point 426 indicates the end of a video stream. For participant 1, participant 2, and participant 4, all of which began fitness prior to the GO signal point, the GO signal served as the starting point in time for their session performance metrics. For participant 3, the point in time when they actually started will serve as the starting point in time for their performance metrics. For participant 1, participant 2, and participant 3 who continued to exercise until the STOP signal point was exceeded, the end point of their session performance indicator would be the STOP signal point and the end point of participant 4 would be the time when they actually stopped exercising.

With such a system, live performance data and past performance data for a user or other participant may be provided during a course in the form of a series of numbers and graphics for comparison and competition. Live performance data and past or target performance data for a user may also be displayed simultaneously to allow the user to compare their performance to a benchmark in real time during or after a course. In various exemplary embodiments, the system may also allow users to establish a barrier system to balance the game between different users or groups of users, thereby allowing a broad base of games.

In various exemplary embodiments, the system may combine information from multiple users 106 to produce a combined or collective achievement. For example, performance information for different users may be combined to produce a single performance measurement, e.g., in a relay-type game, the time spent by different users is collected and combined into a single time or score for a team.

In various exemplary embodiments, the system may also combine user performance from two or more different exercise machines 102 to produce a single output or score. For example, performance information collected from bicycles and treadmills used continuously or as part of the same set of workout sessions may be combined together in a single output that reflects performance data from multiple exercise machines 102.

In various exemplary embodiments, the mobile application may allow a user on a non-network exercise machine to access the system and access content, live streaming, and other system features via a mobile digital device (e.g., a tablet computer or mobile phone). The mobile device may access the system via any suitable network using a dedicated application or browser.

In various exemplary embodiments, the system may display the course content using one or more secondary displays. The auxiliary display screen may be used to display lesson content or other content provided by the system using a device such as a chromacast or similar integrated device to enable the auxiliary display to display content provided by the system through the user interface. The user interface may automatically detect the availability of such enabled devices and allow the user to select a display screen for particular content.

Different types of rewards and honors may be created for different achievements to form incentives to improve performance or achieve other goals. In various exemplary embodiments, a coach or user may create a mini-race for all users to participate or only a selected subset of users (e.g., a group of friends). The games such as sprint, hill climbing, maximum power output, etc. may be preset or created in real time through a user interface. Winners may be awarded prizes such as badges, trophies, or cycling specific honors such as green or yellow blouse. The game may be created in a course or session, or may be created across multiple courses or sessions.

Clause(s)

The following recorded example clauses a-T set forth example embodiments of the present disclosure. Any of the following clauses or individual features of the following clauses may be combined in any manner. Additionally, the description included in any of the example clauses below may be combined with one or more of the features described above or illustrated in fig. 1-42. The terms recorded below are not intended to narrow the scope of the present disclosure in any way, and merely constitute examples of the various embodiments described herein.

A: in an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a treadmill includes a deck having a continuous track and a plurality of slats fixedly connected to the track. The treadmill further includes: a first post extending from the platen; a second post extending from the deck opposite the first post; and a first arm supported by the first post and including a first rotary control. The treadmill further includes a second arm opposite the first arm and supported by a second post. The second arm includes a second rotational control separate from the first rotational control. The first rotary control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill and the second rotary control is configured to control a second function of the treadmill that is different from the first function.

B: the treadmill of clause a, further comprising a first crossbar extending from the first arm to the second arm, and a second crossbar extending from the first arm to the second arm opposite the first crossbar, the second crossbar comprising a third control configured to stop rotation of the track.

C: the treadmill of clauses a or B, wherein the first function comprises a rotational velocity of the track and the second function comprises a slope of the deck relative to a support surface on which the treadmill is disposed.

D: the treadmill of clause A, B or C, wherein the first rotary control comprises an outer portion rotatable about a central axis of the first rotary control and relative to the first arm.

E: the treadmill of clause D, wherein the first rotary control further comprises an input device separate from the outer portion, the input device configured to control a third function of the treadmill different from the first and second functions.

F: the treadmill of clauses D or E, wherein the outer portion is configured to contact at least one detent during rotation of the outer portion about the central axis, the at least one detent configured to at least partially limit rotation of the outer portion about the central axis.

G: the treadmill of clauses A, B, C, D, E or F, wherein the first rotational control comprises an indicator, and wherein rotation of the outer portion of the first rotational control causes commensurate temporary illumination of at least a portion of the indicator.

H: the treadmill of clauses A, B, C, D, E, F or G, wherein the first rotational control comprises: a first component configured to provide tactile feedback to a user of the treadmill when the user rotates the first rotational control relative to the first arm; and a second member, distinct from the first member, configured to provide visual feedback to the user upon rotation of the first rotary control relative to the first arm by the user.

I: the treadmill of clause A, B, C, D, E, F, G or H, wherein the first rotational control comprises a carrier, an outer portion rotatably connected to the carrier, and a printed circuit board connected to the carrier, and wherein rotation of the outer portion relative to the carrier causes components of the printed circuit board to transmit corresponding first signals to a controller of the treadmill.

J: the treadmill of clause I, wherein the first rotary control further comprises an inner portion, the inner portion comprising an input device, the input device configured to receive an input, and receipt of the input causes the component of the printed circuit board to transmit a corresponding second signal to the controller.

K: in another example embodiment of the present disclosure, a treadmill includes: a controller; a first motor operably connected to the controller; a second motor separate from the first motor and operably connected to the controller; a first rotary control operably connected to the controller; and a second rotary control member separate from the first rotary control member and operatively connected to the controller. In such embodiments, the first rotational control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill associated with the first motor. Additionally, the second rotary control is configured to control a second function of the treadmill associated with the second motor, the second function being different than the first function.

L: the treadmill of clause K, wherein the first function comprises a rotational velocity of the continuous track of the treadmill and the second function comprises a slope of a deck of the treadmill relative to a support surface on which the treadmill is disposed.

M: the treadmill of clauses K or L, wherein the first rotary control includes a first outer portion rotatable about a central axis of the first rotary control and the second rotary control includes a second outer portion rotatable about a central axis of the second rotary control.

N: the treadmill of clause K, L or M, wherein at least one of the first rotary control or the second rotary control comprises an input device operatively connected to the controller and configured to control a third function of the treadmill different from the first function and the second function.

O: the treadmill of clause K, L, M or N, wherein at least one of the first rotary control or the second rotary control comprises an indicator, and wherein rotation of the at least one of the first rotary control or the second rotary control causes commensurate temporary illumination of at least a portion of the indicator.

P: the treadmill of clauses K, L, M, N or O, further comprising a third control separate from the first rotational control and the second rotational control, the third control operably connected to the controller and configured to stop rotation of the continuous track of the treadmill.

Q: in an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing a treadmill includes: an upper assembly is provided that includes a first arm, a second arm opposite the first arm, a first crossbar extending from the first arm to the second arm, and a second crossbar opposite the first crossbar and extending from the first arm to the second arm. The method also includes connecting a first rotary control to the first arm, the first rotary control including an outer portion rotatable relative to the first arm and an inner portion including an input device. The method further includes coupling a second rotary control to the second arm, the second rotary control including an outer portion rotatable relative to the second arm. The method further includes operatively connecting the first and second rotational controls to a controller of the treadmill. The first rotary control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill via the controller, and the second rotary control is configured to control a second function of the treadmill via the controller that is different from the first function.

R: the method of clause Q, further comprising: connecting a third control to the first crossbar, wherein the third control is operably connected to the controller of the treadmill, configured to control a third function of the treadmill via the controller, and the third function is different from the first function and the second function.

S: the method of clauses Q or R, wherein the outer portion of the first control member is rotatable relative to the inner portion of the first control member about a central axis of the first control member; the first control further includes an indicator configured such that rotation of the outer portion of the first control causes commensurate temporary illumination of at least a portion of the indicator; and the input device is configured to control a third function of the treadmill that is different from the first function and the second function.

T: the method of clause S, wherein the first control further comprises at least one detent configured to provide tactile feedback to a user of the treadmill when the user rotates the outer portion of the first control relative to the central axis.

To summarize

The above described subject matter is provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure. Various modifications and changes may be made to the subject matter described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the appended claims, and without following the examples and applications illustrated and described.

Claims

1. A treadmill, comprising:

a first rotary control including an outer portion rotatable about an axis to control a first function of the treadmill and an inner portion including an input device configured to control a second function of the treadmill different from the first function; and

a second rotary control separate from the first rotary control and configured to control a third function of the treadmill different from the first function and the second function.

2. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the first rotational control further comprises a brake configured to at least partially limit rotation of the outer portion about the central axis, the brake configured to conform to a desired progressive change in the first function of the treadmill.

3. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the first rotational control further comprises an indicator configured such that rotation of the outer portion causes commensurate illumination of at least a portion of the indicator, the commensurate illumination indicating a degree of rotation of the outer portion about the central axis.

4. The treadmill of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

wherein the outer part is rotatable relative to the inner part; or

A plurality of slats fixedly connected to the continuous track.

5. The treadmill of claim 1, further comprising:

a first arm including a first rotary control; and

a second arm including a second rotary control.

6. The treadmill of claim 1, further comprising a cross bar, wherein at least one of the first rotary control or the second rotary control is disposed on the cross bar.

7. The treadmill of claim 1, further comprising:

a first motor, wherein a first function controlled by the first rotary control is associated with the first motor; and

a second motor, wherein a third function controlled by the second rotary control is associated with the second motor.

8. The treadmill of claim 7, wherein:

the first function is one of a rotational speed of a continuous track of the treadmill or an incline angle of the treadmill;

the second function includes at least one of a rotation of the continuous track or an operating mode of the treadmill; and

the third function is the other of the rotational speed of the continuous track of the treadmill or the incline angle of the treadmill.

9. A method of using the treadmill of claim 1, the method comprising:

rotating an outer portion of a first rotary control to control a first function of the treadmill;

operating the input device of the first rotary control to control a second function of the treadmill; and

operating the second rotary control to control a third function of the treadmill.

10. A method, comprising:

connecting a first rotary control to the treadmill, the first rotary control including an outer portion rotatable about an axis to control a first function of the treadmill and an inner portion including an input device configured to control a second function of the treadmill different from the first function; and

a second rotary control separate from the first rotary control is coupled to the treadmill, the second rotary control configured to control a third function of the treadmill different from the first function and the second function.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first rotational control further comprises a brake configured to at least partially limit rotation of the outer portion about the central axis, the brake configured to coincide with a desired progressive change in the first function of the treadmill.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first rotary control further comprises an indicator configured such that rotation of the outer portion causes commensurate illumination of at least a portion of the indicator, the commensurate illumination indicating a degree of rotation of the outer portion about the central axis.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the outer portion is rotatable relative to the inner portion.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising fixedly attaching the plurality of slats to the continuous track of the treadmill.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein:

coupling the first rotary control to the treadmill includes coupling the first rotary control to a first arm of the treadmill; and

coupling the second rotary control to the treadmill includes coupling the second rotary control to a second arm of the treadmill.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of coupling the first rotary control to the treadmill or coupling the second rotary control to the treadmill includes providing the rotary control to a crossbar of the treadmill.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

connecting a first motor to the treadmill, wherein a first function controlled by the first rotary control is associated with the first motor; and

connecting a second motor to the treadmill, wherein a third function controlled by the second rotary control is associated with the second motor.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the first function is one of a rotational speed of a continuous track of the treadmill or an inclination angle of the treadmill;

19. A treadmill, comprising:

a controller;

a first motor operably connected to the controller;

a second motor separate from the first motor and operably connected to the controller;

a first rotary control including an outer portion rotatable about an axis to control a first function of the treadmill associated with the first motor and an inner portion including an input device configured to control a second function of the treadmill different from the first function; and

a second rotary control separate from the first rotary control and configured to control a third function of the treadmill associated with the second motor, the third function being different from the first function and the second function.

20. The treadmill of claim 19, wherein: