TW201934168A - Exercise system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A treadmill includes a deck having a continuous track, and a plurality of slats fixedly connected to the track. The treadmill also 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 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 different from the first function.

Description

Motion system and method

This application relates generally to the field of sports equipment and methods associated with sports equipment. In particular, this application relates to a sports system and method configured to provide streaming and on-demand sports courses to one or more users.

Human beings are inherently competitive, and strive to improve their performance, whether compared to their own previous achievements or to others. Humans are also attracted by games and other recreational activities, so that if different game elements are introduced, even tasks that one may find difficult or boring may become attractive. Existing home and gym-based exercise systems and methods often lack key features that allow participants to compete with each other, talk to each other, and gamify athletic activities.

Although some existing sports equipment incorporates entertainment facilities, such as video displays that present content or performance data to users while they are exercising, these systems lack the ability for users to actually enter a competition or game scene (this improves use Experience and performance). These systems also lack the ability to facilitate the instant sharing of information, conversations, data and / or other content between users and between a coach and one or more users.

In order to improve the experience and provide a more attractive environment, the gym will provide one of the coaches to lead participants through a variety of sports courses, such as aerobics, yoga or other courses. However, these course-based experiences are only available at specific times and places. As a result, these course-based experiences are unavailable to many potential users, are often extremely expensive, and are often sold out, making it impossible for users at even a convenient location to book a course. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention address these issues by providing sports equipment embodied as an exemplary treadmill that incorporates live streaming or archived instruction content, social networking Audio and video chat, network-connected performance measurement and multimedia input and output of competition capabilities, and a range of gamification features.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a treadmill includes: a base platform having a continuous track; and a plurality of slats fixedly connected to the track. The treadmill also includes: a first post extending from the base; a second post extending from the base opposite to the first post; and a first arm supported by the first post A first rotation control member is included. The treadmill further includes a second arm opposite the first arm and supported by the second post. The second arm includes a second rotation control member independent of the first rotation control member. The first rotation control member is configured to control a first function of the treadmill, and the second rotation control member is configured to control a second function of the treadmill different from the first function.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a treadmill includes: a controller; a first motor operatively connected to the controller; and a second motor that is independent of the first motor and can be Operatively connected to the controller; a first rotation control member operatively connected to the controller; and a second rotation control member independently of the first rotation control member and operatively connected to the control Device. In this embodiment, the first rotation control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill associated with the first motor. In addition, the second rotation control is configured to control a second function of the treadmill associated with the second motor, the second function being different from the first function.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a treadmill includes providing an upper assembly, the upper assembly including a first arm, a second arm opposite to the first arm, The first arm extends to a first cross bar that is one of the second arms and a second cross bar that is opposite to the first cross bar and extends from the first arm to the second arm. The method also includes connecting a first rotation control member to the first arm. The first rotation control member includes an outer portion rotatable relative to the first arm and an inner portion including an input device. The method further includes connecting a second rotation control member to the second arm, the second rotation control member including an outer portion rotatable relative to the second arm. This method also includes operatively connecting the first rotation control member and the second rotation control member to a controller of the treadmill. The first rotation control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill via the controller, and the second rotation control is configured to control the different function from the first function via the controller. One of the second functions of the treadmill.

Cross-reference to related applications

This Taiwan application claims the priority of U.S. Application No. 15 / 863,596, filed on January 5, 2018. U.S. Application No. 15 / 863,596 is the U.S. Application No. 15 filed on August 25, 2017. Part of the continuation of 15 / 686,875, US Application No. 15 / 686,875 claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 62 / 380,412, filed on August 27, 2016. The entire disclosure of each of the above applications is incorporated herein by reference.

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use aspects of the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. For purposes of illustration, specific nomenclature is stated to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. Descriptions of specific embodiments or applications are provided only as examples. Those skilled in the art will readily understand various modifications to the embodiments, and can apply the general principles defined herein to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is given the broadest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a network-connected exercise system and method whereby one or more exercise devices such as a treadmill, rowing machine, stationary bike, elliptical machine, or any other suitable device may be equipped with a The user can access a local system suitable for one of the communication networks to participate fully in one of the sports courses led by or recorded by the live coach. Network-connected motion systems and methods may include back-end systems with the following equipment: including but not limited to servers, digital storage systems, and other hardware, as well as software to manage all processing, communications, databases, and other functions. Network-connected exercise systems and methods may also include one or more studios or other recording locations with one or more cameras, microphones, and audio and / or visual output, where one or more instructors can lead exercise classes, and In some embodiments, places where live sports lessons can be performed, and where these live and previously recorded lessons can be distributed via a communication network. In various embodiments, there may be multiple recording locations that may interact with each other and / or with any number of individual users.

In various embodiments, the example motion systems and equipment described herein provide full interactivity in all directions. Whether at the remote end or at the same location, the coach can interact with the user, the user can interact with the coach, and the user can interact with other users. Through the disclosed network-connected exercise systems and equipment, coaches may be able to solicit feedback from users, and users may be able to provide feedback to coaches, vote on different options or options, or express opinions on different options or options , And communicate about their experience. These example sports systems and equipment allow interaction through all media including one or more video channels, audio including voice and / or music, and a complete set of performance data, demographics, chat, voice and Text-based communications and other communications.

In various embodiments, the sports systems and equipment described herein also allow an unlimited number of remote users to watch and participate in the same live broadcast or recorded content simultaneously, and in various embodiments, the user may be able to watch the same content as Some or all of the other users. Remote users can participate in live sports lessons available from any remote recording location, or remote users can access previously recorded courses archived in the system database. In various embodiments, multiple remote users can simultaneously access the same recorded course and interact with each other in real time, or multiple remote users can access the same recorded course at different times and share information about their grades or other Information and communications on topics.

Therefore, the network-connected exercise systems and equipment and corresponding methods described in this article provide content creation, content management and distribution, and content consumption. Various aspects of these sports systems and equipment and possible interactions between these equipment will now be explained in more detail.
Sports Equipment

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 to 7 and FIGS. 25 to 41, in various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a local system 100 may include a sports equipment 102 such as a treadmill, the sports equipment having Connected to digital hardware, the digital hardware includes one or more displays 104 for use with a coach-led exercise session and / or for displaying other digital content. Although the sports equipment 102 may be illustrated and / or otherwise referred to herein as a "treadmill 102", as described above, the exemplary sports equipment of the present invention may be any suitable type of sports equipment, including a rowing machine , Stationary bicycles, elliptical machines, stepped pedals, etc.

In various exemplary embodiments, one or more displays 104 may be mounted directly to sports equipment 102 or otherwise placed within the field of view of a user 106. In various exemplary embodiments, the one or more displays 104 allow the user 106 to watch while exercising on the exercise equipment 102 and while exercising near or adjacent to one or more locations of the exercise equipment 102 in relation to a selected exercise course Content. The sports equipment 102 may also include a hinge, joint, pivot to allow adjustment of the position or orientation of the display 104 relative to the user 106 (whether the user is using the sports equipment 102 or is approaching or adjacent to the sports equipment 102 for exercise) Shaft, bracket or other suitable mechanism.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sports equipment 102 may generally include a lower assembly 108 and an upper assembly 110 connected to one of the lower assemblies 108. The lower assembly 108 may generally include a base 112 of the exercise equipment 102 that provides support to the user 106 (eg, a running surface) while the user 106 is exercising on the exercise equipment 102 and provides support for the lower assembly 108. And the other components of the upper assembly 110 provide support. For example, as shown at least in the exploded view of FIG. 26, the base 112 may support a first motor 114 of the sports equipment 102, the first motor configured to position a support surface of the sports equipment 102 relative thereto Increasing, decreasing, and / or otherwise changing the base 112, a frame of the base 112, and / or a slope of the running surface. The base 112 may also include one or more inclined frames 116 that are coupled to the motor 114 and are configured to, for example, be raised by acting on a support surface when the motor 114 is activated And lower the base 112, the frame of the base 112, and / or the running surface of the base 112. The base 112 may also include a second motor 118 configured to increase, decrease, and / or otherwise change a rotation speed of a conveyor 120 connected to the base 112. The conveyor belt 120 may be rotated relative to at least a portion of the base 112 and, in particular, may be configured to completely orbit (ie, surround) at least a portion of the base 112 during use of the sports equipment 102 or Move otherwise. For example, in an embodiment in which the sports equipment 102 includes a treadmill, when the user 106 runs, walks, and / or otherwise exercises on the treadmill, the conveyor belt 120 can support the user 106 and iteratively surrounds At least part of a frame of the base 112. The exemplary conveyor belt 120 may include one or more continuous tracks 122 that are movably coupled to one of the gears, flywheels, pulleys, and / or other components 124 of the base 112, and such a component 124 It may be coupled to one of the output shafts of the motor 118 or other components. In these examples, rotation of the output shaft or other components of the motor 118 may drive a commensurate rotation of the component 124. Likewise, in general, rotation of the component 124 may drive a commensurate rotation of one or more continuous tracks 122 and / or the conveyor belt 120.

The conveyor belt 120 may also include a plurality of laterally aligned slats 126 connected to one or more continuous tracks 122. For example, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, each slat 126 may extend substantially parallel to at least one adjacent slat 126. In addition, each slat 126 may be articulated, pivoted, and / or otherwise movably coupled to one or more continuous rails 122 via one or more respective couplings 140. For example, such couplings 140 may include a bracket, pin, screw, clip, bolt, and / or one or more other fastening components that are configured to secure a respective slat 126 to A continuous track 122 while allowing the slats 126 to pivot, rotate, and / or otherwise move relative to the track 122 as the conveyor belt 120 orbits the base 112. As shown at least in FIG. 28, each slat 126 may also include a top pad 142 coupled to it. The top pad 142 may include a plastic, rubber, polymer, and / or other type of non-slip pad that is configured to reduce and decrease when a user is running, walking and / or otherwise exercising on the sports equipment 102 and / Or substantially eliminates slippage of the user 106. Such a top pad 142 may also reduce the impacts associated with walking and / or running on the sports equipment 102, and thus may improve the comfort of the user 106 during the various exercise classes associated with the sports equipment 102.

With continued reference to FIG. 26, the sports equipment 102 may also include one or more side walls 128 connected to the base 112. For example, the sports equipment 102 may include a first side wall 128 on the left-hand side of the base 112 and a second side wall 128 on the right-hand side of the base 112. These side walls 128 may be made of cloth, foam, plastic, rubber , Polymer, and / or other similar materials, and in some examples, the side wall 128 may help dampen and / or otherwise reduce the amount of power from one or more of the motors 114, 118 and / or the base 112. Noise from other components.

The sports equipment 102 may also include one or more columns 130 extending upward from the base 112. For example, the sports equipment 102 may include a first pillar 130 on the left-hand side of the base 112 and a second pillar 130 on the right-hand side of the base 112. The pillars 130 may be made of a metal, alloy, plastic, polymer, and / or other similar materials, and similar materials may be used to manufacture the base 112, slats 126, and / or other components of the sports equipment 102. In these examples, the column 130 may be configured to support the display 104, and in some examples, the display 104 may be directly coupled to one of the bars 132 of the sports equipment 102 and the bar 132 may be connected to the column 130 and / Or otherwise supported by the pillars 130. For example, the crossbar 132 may include one or more armrests or handles for supporting the user 106 during exercise. In some examples, the cross bar 132 may be substantially C-shaped, substantially U-shaped, and / or any other configuration. In any of the examples set forth herein, the cross bar 132 may extend from one of the posts 130 to a second of the posts 130. Further, in some examples, the pillar 130 and the cross bar 132 may constitute a single integrated component of the upper assembly 110. Alternatively, in other examples, the column 130 and the cross bar 132 may constitute separate components of the upper assembly 110. In these examples, the upper assembly 110 may include one or more brackets 134, end caps 136, and / or additional components configured to help couple one or more posts 130 to the cross bar 132.

As described above, the sports equipment 102 may also include a hinge to allow adjustment of the position or orientation of the display 104 relative to the user 106 (whether the user is using the sports equipment 102 or is exercising close to or adjacent to the sports equipment 102) , Joints, pivots, brackets 138 and / or other suitable mechanisms. For example, such brackets 138 may include at least one component rigidly connected to the cross bar 132. These brackets 138 may also include one or more additional components rigidly coupled to the display 104. In these examples, the components of the bracket 138 connected to the display 104 may move with the display 104 relative to the components of the bracket 138 connected to the crossbar 132. These components may include one or more dovetail slider mechanisms, channels, and / or other components to enable the display 104 to controllably slide and / or otherwise move relative to the crossbar 132. Once the user 106 has positioned the display 104 as needed, these components can also enable the user 106 to fix the position of the display 104 relative to the crossbar 132.

As shown at least in FIG. 29, the sports equipment 102 may also include one or more rotation controls 144, 146 configured to receive input from the user 106. Sports equipment 102 may further include one or more sensors 147 that are configured to be used by user 106 before, during, and / or during a sports session using sports equipment 102 Thereafter, one or more performance parameters of the user 106 are sensed, detected, and / or otherwise determined. In any of the examples set forth herein, the rotation controls 144, 146 and one or more sensors 147 may be operatively and / or otherwise connected to one or more controls of the sports equipment 102 Processors, processors and / or other digital hardware 148.

The digital hardware 148 associated with the sports equipment 102 may be connected to or integrated with the sports equipment 102, or the digital hardware 148 may be remotely connected to the sports equipment 102 wired or wirelessly. Digital hardware 148 may include digital storage devices, one or more processors or other similar computers or controllers, communication hardware, software, and / or one or more media input / output devices such as displays, cameras, microphones, keyboards , Touchscreen, headphones, and / or audio speakers. In various exemplary embodiments, such components may be connected to and / or otherwise integrated with sports equipment 102. All communications between or among these components of digital hardware 148 may be multi-channel, multi-directional, and wireless or wired using any suitable protocol or technology. In various exemplary embodiments, the digital hardware 148 of the sports equipment 102 may include associated mobile- and web-based applications that provide users with local or remote sports equipment, processors, and controllers. , Personal computers, laptops, mobile devices, or any other digital device or digital hardware, access to accounts, performance and other related information. In any of the examples set forth herein, one or more controllers, processors, and / or other digital hardware 148 associated with the sports equipment 102 are operable to execute control logic 150 with the sports equipment 102 Associated one or more functions. The control logic 150 is schematically illustrated in at least FIG. 30, and the control logic 150 may include one or more rules, programs or other instructions stored in a memory of the digital hardware 148. For example, one or more processors included in the digital hardware 148 may be programmed to perform operations according to rules, programs, or other instructions of the control logic 150, and such processors may also be programmed to perform operations based on And / or at least partially perform one or more additional operations in response to input received via one or more of the rotation controls 144, 146 and / or via one or more of the sensors 147.

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, one or more such rotation control members 144, 146 may include an infinite wheel type control member 144. Such a rotation control member 144 may be used to change and / or otherwise control (for example) the slope, inclination, and / or other positions of the base 112 relative to the support surface on which the sports equipment 102 is placed, the speed of the conveyor 120 ( (E.g., the speed of rotation of the continuous track 122, the slats 126, and / or other components of the conveyor belt 120), the substantially instantaneous start and / or stop of the conveyor belt 120, the choice of one or more exercise courses to be played via the display 104, Changes to one or more operating modes of the sports equipment 102 and / or other functions of the sports equipment 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the rotation control member 144 may include an outer portion 152 (eg, a rotary dial, a knob, a button, or other components), which may be opposite to the column 130, the cross bar 132, and / or The other components of the sports equipment 102 to which the rotation control member 144 is connected are rotated. The rotation control member 144 may further include an outer portion 152 connected to a frame 154 (eg, an encoder or other fixed component). In these examples, the frame 154 (eg, an encoder or other component connected to the frame 154 and / or associated with the frame 154) may include a desired progressive that may be tuned to achieve one of the corresponding functionalities of the sports equipment 102 Change one or more detents or other components / structures. For example, the frame 154 may be configured such that each of its detents may be associated with a 0.5% increase or decrease in one of the tilt angles of one of the bases 112. Alternatively, the frame 154 may be configured such that each of its detents may be associated with an increase or decrease of 0.1 mph, one of the speeds of the continuous track 122 and / or one of the other components of the conveyor belt 120. In yet other examples, percentages, speeds, and / or other increments greater or less than the percentages, speeds, and / or increments described above may be selected. In addition, one or more such rotary controls 144, 146 may include one or more additional buttons, wheels, touch pads, joysticks, knobs, and capacitive sensing configured to receive additional input from the user 106. Devices, switches or other input devices, and these additional input devices can provide the user 106 with finer control over the corresponding functionality of the sports equipment 102. One or more such rotation controls 144, 146 may also include a separate mount 156 that is configured to help connect the rotation controls 144, 146 to the column 130, crossbar 132, and / or sports equipment 102 other components.

As shown in FIGS. 33-35, in yet other embodiments, one or more of the infinite wheel-type rotation controls 144, 146, 526, and 528 described herein may be controlled by a capacitive slider-type control. And / or other substantially linear controls 158 are replaced. These controls 158 may include one or more touch pads, buttons, joysticks, and / or other components 160, configured to receive one touch, tap, push, and / or other input from the user 106, 162, 166. These components 160, 162, 166 may be respective touch and / or haptic switches operatively connected to the control member 158, which are mounted to one of the printed circuit boards 170 of the control member 158. These tactile switches can be configured to generate signals indicative of the inputs received via these components 160, 162, 166 and direct these signals to the processor and / or other digital hardware associated with the sports equipment 102 148. The control member 158 may also include one or more additional touch pads 164 having a substantially linear configuration. These touch pads 164 may also be configured to receive one touch, tap, push, and / or other input from the user 106. In addition, the touch pad 164 may be operatively connected to a respective capacitive trace 172 of one of the control members 158 mounted to the printed circuit board 170. In these examples, the capacitive trace 172 may be configured to generate signals indicative of inputs received via the touch pad 164 and direct these signals to a processor and / or other associated with the sports equipment 102 Digital hardware 148. FIG. 34 illustrates one first substantially linear control member 158 disposed on the right-hand side of the crossbar 132 and one second substantially linear control member 174 disposed opposite the control member 158 on the left-hand side of the crossbar 132. In any of the examples set forth herein, one or more of the components 160, 162, 166 are operable to control and / or change the mode of operation of the sports equipment 102. In addition, in any of the examples set forth herein, one or more of the infinite wheel type rotation controls 144, 146, 526, 528 and / or one of the substantially linear controls 158, 174 or The plurality may include a light emitting diode and / or other lighting indicating that an operation change has occurred under the influence of the respective control. As shown in FIG. 33, the control member 158 also includes a printed circuit board 170, and the components 160, 162, and 166, and the touch pad 164 can be connected to one of the boards 168.

With continued reference to at least FIG. 29, in various exemplary embodiments, the sensor 147 of the sports equipment 102 may be configured to sense, detect, measure, and / or otherwise determine from momentarily and / or over time A series of performance metrics for both sports equipment 102 and user 106. For example, the sports equipment 102 may include one or more sensors 147 that measure the slope of the base 112, the speed of the conveyor 120, the application to the base 112, the conveyor 120, and the motor 114 , One or more of 118 and / or one of the other components of the sports equipment 102, the amount of energy consumed by the user 106, the power output of the sports equipment 102, the user's weight, number of steps, distance, total Work, number of repetitions, one of the amount of resistance applied to the conveyor belt 120 by one or more of the motors 114, 118 and / or other components of the sports equipment 102, and any other suitable associated with, for example, a treadmill Performance measures. Sports equipment 102 may also include a sensor 147 to measure the user's heart rate, breathing, water content, calorie burn, or any other physical functioning measure, or to receive such data provided by the user 106 from the sensor. Where appropriate, these performance measures may be calculated over time as current / instantaneous, maximum, minimum, average, or total, or using any other statistical analysis. Trends can also be identified, stored, and displayed to users, coaches, and / or other users. These sensors 147 may communicate with the memory and / or processor of the digital hardware 148 associated with the sports equipment 102 at a nearby or a remote location using a wired or wireless connection.

In various exemplary embodiments, the sports equipment 102 may also be provided with one or more indicators to provide information to the user 106. These indicators may include lights, projected displays, speakers for audio output, or other output devices capable of providing a signal to a user 106 to provide the user 106 with information such as timing for performing a motion , Time to start or stop exercise, or other information indicators. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, such indicators (e.g., a lamp or a projected display) may display information about what the user 106 is performing at a location that the user 106 can see during the relevant exercise Information on the number of sets and the number of repetitions.

36-38 illustrate an example sports equipment 500 (eg, a "treadmill" 500) according to another embodiment of the present invention. Various components of the example sports equipment 500 may be substantially similar to and / or the same as the corresponding components of the sports equipment 102 described herein, and in some instances, similar numbers will be used to illustrate similar portions below. For example, as shown in FIGS. 36-38, a sports equipment 500 may include a display 104, a base 112, a cross bar 132, a bracket 138 connecting the display 104 to the cross bar 132, and a controller. And / or other digital hardware 148 and / or other components, and such components may be similar and / or identical to corresponding components of the sports equipment 102 described above with similar item numbers. In addition, similar to the upper assembly 110 described above, one of the upper assemblies 110 of the sports equipment 500 may include a first pillar 130a connected to and / or extending from the base 112 and a first pillar 130a. Opposingly connected to the base 112 and / or a second post 130b extending from the base 112.

The upper assembly 110 of the sports equipment 500 may also include an end cover 502a connected to or integrally formed with the column 130a and an end cover 502b connected to or integrally formed with the column 130b. In these 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, 130b. For example, the end cap 502a may connect the arm 504a to the post 130a such that the arm 504a is supported at least partially by the post 130a, and the end cap 502b may connect the arm 504b to the post 130b such that the arm 504b is supported at least partially by the post 130b . It should be understood that in some examples, the end cap 502a may be connected to or integrally formed with the arm 504a, and the end cap 502b may be connected to or integrally formed with the arm 504b. In some examples, the end caps 502a, 502b may be substantially similar to and / or the same as the bracket 134 described above with respect to FIG. 26. In these examples, the end caps 502a, 502b may include one or more additional components (e.g., caps) that are substantially similar and / or identical to the end caps 136 set forth above.

Further, in any of the examples set forth herein, the upper assembly 110 may include one or more crossbars extending from the arm 504a to the arm 504b. For example, the crossbar 132 described above may include a crossbar 506 (eg, a first crossbar 506) extending from the arm 504a to one of the arms 504b, and opposite to the crossbar 506 and extending from the arm 504a to the arm One of the cross bars 514 (eg, a second cross bar 514). In these examples, one or both of the crossbars 506, 514, one or both of the arms 504a, 504b, one or both of the end caps 502a, 502b, and / or the Other components may include handles, armrests, and / or other components configured to be used at least in part when a user 106 of the exercise equipment 500 uses the exercise equipment 500 to walk, run, and / or otherwise participate in an exercise class Supporting user 106.

Columns 130a, 130b, end caps 502a, 502b, arms 504a, 504b, crossbars 506, 514 and / or other components of sports equipment 500 may be made of steel, aluminum, cast iron and / or any other metal, polymer, alloy or other material Made, and such materials may be similar and / or the same as those set forth above with respect to one or more components of the base 112. Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more such components may be connected via one or more bolts, screws, clips, brackets, brazed joints, and / or other means. In other embodiments, on the other hand, one or more such components may be integrally formed and / or may otherwise have a one-piece construction. For example, at least the arms 504a, 504b, and the cross bar 506 may have a one-piece structure. In these examples, the cross bar 514 may be welded, brazed, forged, cast, and / or otherwise connected to the arms 504a and 504b. In other examples, at least the arms 504a, 504b, the cross bar 506, and the cross bar 514 may be integrally formed and / or may have a one-piece construction in other ways. In other embodiments, the end cap 502a may be forged, cast, and / or otherwise integrally formed with the pillar 130a or the arm 504a. Likewise, in other embodiments, the end cap 502b may be forged, cast, and / or otherwise integrally formed with the pillar 130b or the arm 504b.

As shown in FIGS. 36-38, the sports equipment 500 may also include one or more controls associated with the upper assembly 110, and one or more such controls may be connected to the arm 504a, the arm 504b, the crossbar 506 and / or crossbar 514. For example, the sports equipment 500 may include a control 516 connected to one of the crossbar 514, the crossbar 506, the arm 504a, or the arm 504b. For example, such a control 516 may include one or more magnetic connectors 518 configured to receive the user while the user 106 is walking and / or running on the sports equipment 500 One of the emergency stop switches, clips, cords, conveyors, and / or other devices worn by 106. For example, when the user 106 is walking or running on the sports equipment 500, the user 106 may use clips that can be clipped to the user's clothing, held by the user 106, wrapped around the user's wrist, and / or An alternative is an emergency stop device (not shown) worn by the user 106. The emergency stop device may include a flexible cord of a predetermined length and a magnetic clip or other component disposed at the end of the flexible cord. During use of the sports equipment 500, a magnetic clip at the end of the flexible cord may be placed on the magnetic connector 518 of the control member 516 and / or at least partially inside the magnetic connector 518 of the control member 516. In these examples, the sports equipment 500 may be configured such that the conveyor belt 120 of the base 112 can be placed on the magnetic connector 518 and / or at least partially within the magnetic connector 518 only at the end of the cord. When rotating. In addition, removing the magnetic clip from the magnetic connector 518 may cause the conveyor 120 to stop. In these examples, the magnetic connector 518 together with the magnetic clip worn by the user 106 may constitute an emergency stop device of the sports equipment 500. For example, causing the conveyor belt 120 to stop at least partially in response to the removal of the magnetic clip from the magnetic connector 518 may be located at the user 106 at a distance greater than a desired distance from the crossbar 514 (eg, greater than a cord worn by the user 106). In the case where the length defines a distance), the user 106 is prevented from being injured.

In any of the examples set forth herein, the control 516 may also include one or more input devices 520 that are configured to receive data from a user during use of the sports equipment 500 Enter one of 106. In these examples, one or more such input devices 520 may include a button, wheel, touch pad, joystick, knob, capacitive sensor, switch configured to receive one of the inputs from the user 106. Or other components, and these input devices 520 can be configured to control and / or enable the user 106 to control one of the corresponding functions of the sports equipment 500.

As shown in FIGS. 36-38, in some examples, the sports equipment 500 may also include one or more trays 522 that are configured to hold (for example) a water bottle, an MP3 A player, a mobile device, a magazine, a towel, and / or other items available to the user 106 while exercising on the sports equipment 500. In some examples, the tray 522 may be fixedly connected to at least one of the cross bar 506, the arm 504a, the arm 504b, or the cross bar 514. In other examples, on the other hand, the tray 522 may be removably attached to one or more such components of the sports equipment 500. For example, the tray 522 may be disposed at least partially within a gap 524 separating the cross bar 506 from the cross bar 514. In these examples, at least one of the crossbar 506, the arm 504a, the arm 504b, or the crossbar 514 may include a ridge, a lug, a shelf, a lip, a flange, an extension, a clip, and / or Other structures are configured to support the tray 522 at least partially when the tray 522 is at least partially disposed within the gap 524.

Sports equipment 500 may also include one or more rotation controls 526, 528 that are configured to control individual functions of sports equipment 500 and / or motor 114 of sports equipment 500 during use, One or more of 118. These rotation controls 526, 528 may be substantially similar to and / or the same as one or more of the rotation controls 144, 146 described above with respect to FIGS. 29, 31, and 32, and the rotation control 526 One or more of 528 may be configured to control similar and / or same functions of one or more of the sports equipment 500 and / or motors 114, 118 described above with respect to rotation controls 144, 146. As shown in at least FIG. 36, the arm 504a may include one of the rotation controls 526 attached thereto, and the arm 504b may include one of the rotation controls 528 attached thereto. In these examples, the rotation control 526 may be independent of the rotation control 528. In addition, the rotation control member 526 may be configured to control a first function of the sports equipment 500, and the rotation control member 528 may be configured to control a second function of the sports equipment 500, which is different from the rotation control Piece 526 is associated with a first function. In some examples, the first function of the sports equipment 500 may include the first function and / or operation of one of the motors 114, 118. Similarly, the second function of the sports equipment 500 may include the second function and / or operation of one of the other of the motors 114, 118. In additional examples, one or both of the rotation controls 528 may be configured to control sports equipment associated with the display 104, the digital hardware 148, and / or other components of the sports equipment other than the motors 114, 118 500 individual functions. In addition, in other examples, one or both of the rotation controls 526, 528 may be disposed on the crossbar 514, the crossbar 506, and / or other parts of the sports equipment 500. In addition, one or both of the rotation controls 526, 528 may be disposed on the arm 504a, the arm 504b, the post 130a, or the post 130b.

39 and 40 illustrate an exemplary rotation control 528 in further detail. It should be understood that in some examples, the rotation control 528 may be substantially similar to and / or the same as the rotation control 526. Alternatively, in some examples, the rotation control 528 may be different from the rotation control 526 and / or may include one or more components different from the respective components of the rotation control 526. For convenience of explanation, unless otherwise specified, the rotation control member 528 will be explained for the rest of the present invention, and unless otherwise stated, any description of the rotation control member 528 should also apply to the rotation control member 526.

As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, the rotation control member 528 may include an outer portion 530, and the outer portion 530 may include a base 532 and a top portion 534. In these examples, the outer portion 530 may be substantially similar and / or the same as the outer portion 152 set forth above with respect to FIG. 31. The top portion 534 of the outer portion 530 may include a substantially cylindrical, substantially semi-circular, or substantially dome-shaped housing of one of the rotation controls 528. In addition, the base 532 may include a substantially cylindrical stem, a housing, and / or other such structures extending from the top 534. The outer portion 530 may include one of the substantially single-piece components of the rotation control 528, and in these examples, the base 532 may be formed integrally with the top 534. Alternatively, the base 532 may be molded, brazed, heat sealed, clamped, press-fitted, and / or otherwise connected to the top 534. In some examples, the rotation control 528 may include a central axis (eg, a central longitudinal axis) 536 that extends substantially centrally through the outer portion 530. In these examples, at least a portion of the rotation control 528 may be rotated about the center axis 536. For example, the outer portion (e.g., the top portion 534 and / or the base 532) may be rotated about the central axis 536 during use. It should be understood that in some examples, at least the outer portion 530 may be rotated about the central axis 536 relative to the arm 504b to which the rotation control 528 is connected. In addition, the outer portion 530 may include one or more ridges, dimples, dents, grooves, protrusions, patterns, and / or other gripping portions 538. For example, one or more such grips 538 may be disposed on and / or formed by the top 534 to help the user 106 rotate the outer portion 530 about the central axis 536. FIG. 39 illustrates a first example configuration of these grips 538, and FIG. 40 illustrates a second example configuration of these grips 538. It should be understood that the gripping portion 538 is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 39 or FIG. 40, and in other examples, the gripping portion 538 may have a rotating outer portion 530 during enhanced use of the user 106 during use of the sports equipment 500 Any other shape, size, orientation, or other configuration useful in terms of capabilities.

In some examples, the rotation control 528 may also include a device configured to provide the user 106 with tactile, auditory, visual And / or other feedback for one or more components. In any exemplary embodiment of the present invention, two or more of such components of the rotation control 528 may provide feedback to the user 106 substantially simultaneously during the use of the sports equipment 500. In these examples, feedback received from two or more such components of the rotation control 528 substantially simultaneously may indicate the same operating characteristics of the rotation control 528 (eg, the outer portion 530 has been rotated by the user 106 One degree).

For example, the rotation control 528 may include one of the first components configured to provide the user 106 with visible feedback when the user 106 rotates the outer portion 530 and / or other portions of the rotation control 528 about the central axis 536. In these examples, this 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. The indicator number 540 may include, for example, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) and / or other light sources positioned around or near a perimeter of the top 534. In these examples, the indicator 540 may be configured such that rotation of the rotation 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 portion 534 about the central axis 536 may cause commensurate temporary lighting of at least a portion of the indicator 540, and the degree of illumination of the indicator 540 may indicate that the outer portion 530 has been used by the user 106 Degree of rotation. In these examples, the rotation control 528 may have a zero or start position. In this embodiment, rotation of the outer portion 530 about the central axis 536 clockwise or counterclockwise (for example) about 90 ° from the starting position can cause about a quarter of the illumination of the indicator 540. Similarly, rotation of the outer portion 530 about a central axis 536 clockwise or counterclockwise (for example) about 180 ° from the starting position may cause about half of the illumination of the indicator 540. In other examples, rotation of the outer portion 530 about the central axis 536 by any desired radial degree may cause illumination of a corresponding portion of the indicator 540. This illumination may be related to an increase or decrease of one of the tilt angles of the base 112. Alternatively, this lighting may be associated with an increase or decrease in one of the speeds of the continuous track 122 and / or one of the other components of the conveyor belt 120. In any such example, this lighting (eg, the amount of visual feedback) may indicate to the user 106 the extent to which other components of the top portion 534 and / or the outer portion 530 have been rotated. In some examples, this lighting may include bounce, flash, color change, substantially constant lighting, and / or other lighting modalities.

Further, in some examples, the rotation control 528 may include one or more of the components configured to provide the user 106 with tactile feedback when the user 106 rotates the top 534 and / or the outer portion 530 about the central axis 536 Extra components. As shown at least in FIG. 40, this additional component may include a detent 555 configured to at least partially restrict rotation of the outer portion 530 about the central axis 536. For example, one or more detents 555 may provide partial resistance to the top portion 534, the base 532, and / or other components of the outer portion 530 when the outer portion 530 is rotated about the central axis 536. In these examples, the base 532 and / or other components of the outer portion 530 may be configured to contact one or more such detents 555 as the outer portion 530 rotates about the central axis 536. For example, the rotation control 528 may include a carrier 552 that includes one or more such detents 555. In these examples, the carrier 552 may include a substantially rigid frame 554, and one or more of the detents 555 described above may be disposed on and / or formed by the frame 554. In these examples, the base 532 and / or the top 534 may be rotatably connected to the frame 554.

As described above, one or more of the detents 555 may be positioned, sized, and / or otherwise configured to conform to a progressive change to one of the corresponding functions of the sports equipment 500. For example, the frame 554 may be configured such that each of its detents 555 may be associated with a 0.5% increase or decrease in one of the tilt angles of one of the bases 112. Alternatively, the frame 554 may be configured such that each of its detents 555 may be associated with an increase or decrease of 0.1 mph, one of the speeds of the continuous track 122 and / or one of the other components of the conveyor belt 120. In yet other examples, percentages, speeds, and / or other increments greater or less than the percentages, speeds, and / or increments described above may be selected.

In addition, in any of the examples set forth herein, the control software and / or digital hardware 148 set forth above may be configured such that rotation of the outer portion 530 about the central axis 536 may cause movement with the sports equipment 500 Any desired effect associated. For example, although in some embodiments, rotation of the outer portion 530 in a forward direction (eg, counterclockwise) may cause the motor 114 to increase the slope of the base 112 relative to one of the support surfaces on which the sports equipment 500 is placed. (E.g., a raised platform), but in other examples, the control software and / or digital hardware 148 of the sports equipment 500 may be programmed and / or otherwise configured such that the outer portion 530 moves backwards (e.g., , Clockwise) can cause the motor 114 to increase the slope of the base 112 relative to the support surface. In addition, although in some embodiments, rotation of the outer portion 530 in a forward direction (eg, counterclockwise) may cause the motor 118 to increase one of the rotation speeds of the conveyor belt 120, in other examples, the control software of the sports equipment 500 And / or the digital hardware 148 may be programmed and / or otherwise configured such that rotation of the outer portion 530 in a backward (eg, clockwise) direction may cause the motor 118 to increase the rotation speed of the conveyor belt 120.

Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the control software and / or digital hardware 148 of the sports equipment 500 may be programmed and / or otherwise configured such that rotation of the outer portion 530 may control the display 104 or equipment 500 One or more functions of the motors 114, 118 different from other components. For example, the control software and / or digital hardware 148 of the sports equipment 500 may be programmed and / or otherwise configured such that rotation of the outer portion 530 in a forward or backward direction may cause the display 104 to display a key, Icons, controls, text, or other content. In other examples, rotating the outer portion 530 in a forward or backward direction to a zero position of the rotation control member 528 may cause the display 104, control software, and / or digital hardware 148 of the sports equipment 500 to pause currently playing or on the display 104 Showing one of the sports courses. In additional examples, rotation of the outer portion 530 may cause a beep, snoring, and / or other audible tone to be emitted from one or more speakers of the sports equipment 500. In some examples, the control software and / or digital hardware 148 of the sports equipment 500 may cause one or more speakers to emit an audible tone whenever the outer portion 530 interfaces with one of the detents 555 of the frame 554. This audible tone may include other indicia (eg, audible indicia) indicating rotation of the rotation control 528.

In yet other examples, the speed at which the user 106 rotates the rotary control 528 may also determine the degree, degree, speed, or magnitude of changes made to the operation / function of the sports equipment 500. For example, the control software and / or digital hardware 148 of the sports equipment 500 may be programmed and / or otherwise configured such that rotation of the outer portion 530 at a relatively slow speed in a forward or backward direction may cause the conveyor belt One of the rotation speeds of 120 corresponds to a minimal or gradual change (eg, an increase or decrease of 0.1 mph of one of the speeds of the continuous track 122 and / or other components of the conveyor 120). In these examples, the control software and / or digital hardware 148 of the sports equipment 500 may also be programmed and / or otherwise configured such that the outer portion 530 rotates in a forward or backward direction at a relatively rapid rate. One of the rotation speeds of the conveyor belt 120 may cause a significant, rapid, and / or impact change (e.g., a 1.0 mph increase or decrease in one of the speeds of the continuous track 122 and / or other components of the conveyor belt 120).

As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, the rotation control member 528 may also include an inner portion 542. In some examples, the inner portion 542 may be fixedly connected to the outer portion 530, and in these examples, the inner portion 542 may rotate with the outer portion 530 about a central axis 536 of the rotation control 528. In other examples, the inner portion 542 may be independent of 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 these examples, the inner portion 542 may be fixed relative to the top portion 534 when the top portion 534 is rotated about the central axis 536. The inner portion 542 may include a substantially dish-shaped plate 544 disposed substantially centrally within the top portion 534. In these examples, the central axis 536 may extend substantially centrally through the plate 544. In addition, 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 these examples, other components of the top portion 534 and / or the outer portion 530 may be relative to the plate 544 and The indicator 540 rotates.

The rotation control 528 may further include one or more input devices 546. For example, the rotation control 528 may include an input device 546 disposed substantially centrally with respect to the plate 544. In some examples, the input device 546 may be disposed on and / or otherwise connected to the board 544. In these examples, other components of the top portion 534 and / or the outer portion 530 may be rotated relative to the input device 546. The input device 546 may include one or more buttons, wheels, touch pads, joysticks, knobs, capacitive sensors, switches, or other components configured to receive input from the user 106, and in these examples The input received via the input device 546 may be different and / or independent of the rotary input received from the user 106 via the top 534. In these examples, the input device 546 may be configured to control one or more functions of the sports equipment 500 that are different from and / or independent of the sports equipment 500 controlled by the rotation of the top 534 Features. For example, the rotation of the top portion 534 and / or other components of the portion 530 outside the rotation control 528 may enable the user 106 to control a rotation speed of the conveyor 120, a position of the base 112, and / or the sports equipment 500 In an embodiment of other functions, the input received through the input device 546 can control one or more additional functions of the sports equipment 500, which are different from the rotation speed of the conveyor 120, the position of the base 112, etc. . For example, in these embodiments, receiving an input via the input device 546 may cause the conveyor 120 to start rotating, may cause the conveyor 120 to stop rotating, may implement one or more exercise courses, and may implement the sports equipment 500 Selection of one or more operating modes and / or control of various other functions of the sports equipment 500 may be achieved.

As illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 40, the inner portion 542 may further include a base 548 extending from the plate 544. For example, the plate 544 may include a substantially flat, substantially dish-shaped component of one of the inner portions 542, and the base 548 may include a substantially cylindrical component of one of the inner portions 542 extending substantially vertically from the plate 544. In these examples, the outer portion 530 may include one of the substantially cylindrical components of the rotation control 528 and the outer portion 530 may include one of the substantially central openings 550 extending at least partially therethrough. In these examples, the central axis 536 may pass substantially through the opening 550 in the center, and at least a portion of the substrate 548 may be disposed within the opening 550. Thus, in these examples, the other components of the top portion 534 and / or the outer portion 530 may be rotated about and / or relative to the base 548 of the inner portion 542.

As described above, the rotation control member 528 may include a carrier 552 including one or more detents 555. In these examples, the carrier 552 may include a substantially rigid frame 554, and one or more of the detents 555 described above may be disposed on and / or by an annular outer or inner surface of the frame 554. One of the rings is formed on the outer or inner surface. In these examples, the outer portion 530 of the rotation control member 528 may be rotatably connected to the carrier 552 such that when the outer portion 530 is rotated relative to the carrier 552, at least a portion of the base 532 and / or at least a portion of the top portion 534 may be One or more of these detents 555 interface. The carrier 552 may also include a printed circuit board (PCB) 556 connected to one of them. In these 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 that are 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 to the motion that include information indicating the position A controller or other digital hardware 148 of the equipment 500. These components of the PCB 556 may also be an input device 546 operatively connected to the rotation control 528. In these examples, these components of the PCB 556 may also be configured to receive signals from the input device 546 indicating that one or more inputs are received via the input device 546, and may be configured to convert one or more The corresponding signals are provided to a 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 the rotation of the outer portion 530 of the rotation control member 528, and the outer portion 530 is relative to the carrier 552. Rotation may cause one or more of these components of PCB 556 to transmit a corresponding signal to a controller or other digital hardware 148. After receiving this signal (for example, a first signal), the rotation of the controller or other digital hardware 148 can cause a corresponding change in one of the rotation speeds of the conveyor 120 and the position of the base 112 (for example, a slope or a downward tilt). And / or other functions of the sports equipment 500. For example, any such function may include being controlled by at least one of motors 114, 118, being performed by at least one of motors 114, 118, and / or otherwise related to at least one of motors 114, 118 Functions of the associated sports equipment 500. Similarly, receiving one or more signals from the input device 546 may cause one or more components of the PCB 556 to transmit a corresponding signal to the controller or other digital hardware 148. After receiving this signal (for example, a second signal), the rotation of the controller or other digital hardware 148 may cause the conveyor 120 to start rotating, may cause the conveyor 120 to stop rotating, and may cause one or more exercise courses to be selected. One or more operating modes of the sports equipment 500 are implemented, and / or various other functions of the sports equipment 500 can be controlled. Similarly, for example, any such function may include being controlled by at least one of motors 114, 118, being performed by at least one of motors 114, 118, and / or otherwise interacting with at least one of motors 114, 118. One of the functions of the associated sports equipment 500. As shown in FIG. 40, in some examples, at least a portion of the rotation control member 528 may be connected to a fixed mount 558. For example, the mount 558 may include a substantially rigid frame, housing, and / or other structure connected to the arm 504b and / or one of the other components of the sports equipment 500. In these examples, the mount 558 may be welded, brazed, screwed, screwed, clamped, and / or otherwise connected to the arm 504b to provide a substantial portion of the rotation control 528 during use of the sports equipment 500 Rigid fixed support. In some examples, the arm 504b may include one or more openings 562, and in these examples, when the mount 558 is connected to the arm 504b, at least a portion of the mount 558 may engage the opening 562 and may be disposed within the opening 562 And / or may pass through the opening 562. Alternatively, in additional embodiments, the opening 562 may be omitted, and in these embodiments, the seat frame 558 may be fixedly connected to an outer surface of the arm 504b. The mount 558 may include one or more openings 560 extending at least partially therethrough. In some examples, the rotation control 528 may be connected to the mount 558 such that a central axis 536 of the rotation control 528 may pass substantially through the opening 560 of the mount 558.

In any of the examples set forth herein, one or more components of the rotation control 528 may be connected to the mount 558 (e.g., at least partially within the opening 560 of the mount 558) for top 534, base The 532 and / or other components of the outer portion 530 remain fixed relative to the seat frame 558 during rotation. For example, the carrier 552 may be connected to the seat frame 558 such that when the outer portion 530 is rotated relative to the seat frame 558, the carrier 552 may remain fixed relative to the outer portion 530 and the seat frame 558. Similarly, the inner portion 542 may be connected to the carrier 552 and / or the seat frame 558 such that when the outer portion 530 is rotated relative to the seat frame 558, the inner portion 542 may remain fixed relative to the outer portion 530, the carrier 552 and the seat frame 558 . Alternatively, in yet other examples, the mount 558 may be omitted. In these 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 when the outer portion 530 is rotated relative to the arm 504b.

FIG. 42 illustrates another exemplary rotation control 600 of the present invention. It should be understood that in some examples, the rotation control 600 may be substantially similar to and / or the same as the rotation control 528 set forth above. Alternatively, in some examples, the rotation control 600 may be different from the rotation control 528 and / or may include one or more components different from the respective components of the rotation control 528. It should be understood that the rotation control member 600 may be used with the rotation control member 528 and / or included in the sports equipment 500 together with the rotation control member 528 or instead of the rotation control member 528, and unless otherwise stated, Any description of the control 528 should also apply to the rotation control 600. In addition, unless stated otherwise, any of the descriptions of the rotation control member 600 herein should also apply to the rotation control member 528. For example, one or more components of the rotation control 528 may be substantially similar and / or identical to one or more corresponding components of the rotation control 600. In addition, unless stated otherwise, any one of the descriptions of the rotation control member 600 herein should also apply to one or both of the rotation control members 144, 146.

For example, as shown in FIG. 42, the rotation control member 600 may include an outer portion 602, and the outer portion 602 may include a top portion 604 having one or more gripping portions 606. In these examples, the outer portion 602, the top portion 604, and the grip portion 606 of the rotation control member 600 may be substantially similar and / or identical to the corresponding outer portion 530, the top portion 534, and the grip portion 538 of the rotation control member 528. For example, the top portion 604 of the outer portion 602 may include one of the rotation controls 600 that is substantially cylindrical, substantially semi-circular, or substantially dome-shaped. In some examples, the rotation control 600 may include a central axis (eg, a central longitudinal axis) 605 that extends substantially centrally through the outer portion 602. In these examples, at least a portion of the rotation control 600 may be rotated about the central axis 605. For example, during use, at least the other components of the top portion 604 and / or the outer portion 602 may be rotated about the central axis 605. It should be understood that in some examples, at least the outer portion 602 may rotate about the central axis 605 relative to the arm 504b to which the rotation control member 600 is connected, and in these examples, the central axis 605 may be substantially perpendicular to the arm 504b. An outer surface (eg, substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the arm 504b, the cross bar 514, and / or one of the other components of the sports equipment 500). As shown in FIGS. 36-38, the rotation control 528 (eg, the central axis 536 of the rotation control 528) may have a similar orientation relative to the arm 504b and / or other components of the exercise equipment 500.

In some examples, the rotation control member 600 may also include one or more components configured to rotate the rotation control member 600 when the user rotates relative to the arm 504b to which the rotation control member 600 is connected. The user 106 is provided with tactile, auditory, visual, and / or other feedback at least in part. In any exemplary embodiment of the present invention, two or more such components of the rotation control 600 may provide the user 106 with feedback substantially simultaneously during the use of the sports equipment 500. In these examples, feedback received from two or more such components of the rotation control 600 substantially simultaneously may indicate the same operating characteristics of the rotation control 600 (e.g., the outer portion 602 has been rotated by the user 106) One degree, one speed at which the outer portion 602 has rotated, one direction of rotation, etc.).

For example, the rotation control 600 may include one of the first components configured to provide the user 106 with visible feedback when the user 106 rotates the outer portion 602 and / or other portions of the rotation control 600 about the central axis 605. In these examples, this 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, the indicator number 608 may be substantially similar to and / or the same as the indicator 540 and may include, for example, one or more light emitting diodes positioned around or near a perimeter of the top 604 Body (LED) and / or other light sources. In other examples, the indicator 608 may include a lens, a window, and / or any other optical components that are configured to permit placement from close to the indicator 608 (e.g., the arm 504b and the indicator 608 Visible light or other radiation from one or more of the LEDs to a location away from the indicator 608 (eg, a location associated with the base 112, a location outside the outer portion 602, and / or an optical indicator Any other location downstream of device 608). For example, the rotation control member 600 may include a printed circuit board (PCB) 636 that is substantially similar to and / or the same as the PCB 556 described above with respect to the rotation control member 528. In these examples, the PCB 636 may include one or more LEDs 638 disposed on a top surface 640, connected to the top surface 640, and / or at least partially embedded within the top surface 640, the top surface It is positioned opposite and facing 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, etc. The component is configured to determine the 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 rotation control 600, and will contain one of the information indicating this position or Multiple signals are provided to a controller or other digital hardware 148 of the sports equipment 500. These components of the PCB 556 may also be operatively connected to the LED 638 and may be configured to control the operation of the LED based at least in part on the position of the outer portion 602, the rotation speed of the outer portion 602, and / or other information or parameters .

In any such example, the indicator 608 may be configured such that rotation of the rotation control 600 produces 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 604 about the central axis 605 may cause the indication in any manner substantially similar to and / or the same as that described above with respect to the indicator 540 of the rotation control 528 At least part of the device 608 is commensurate with temporary lighting. In an exemplary embodiment, the extent to which the indicator 608 is illuminated may indicate the degree to which 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 lighting of the indicator 608 may include bounce, flashing, color change, substantially constant lighting, and / or other lighting modalities.

Further, in some examples, the rotation control 600 may include one or more of the tactile feedback provided to the user 106 when the user 106 rotates the top 604 and / or the outer portion 602 about the central axis 605 Extra components. As shown in FIG. 42, this additional component may include an encoder 642 configured to at least partially restrict rotation of the outer portion 602 about the central axis 605. For example, the encoder 642 may be disposed on the top surface 640, connected to the top surface 640, and / or at least partially embedded within the top surface 640, and the encoder 642 may include substantially similar and / or the same as above with respect to One or more of the detents 555 described in the frame 554 and / or the carrier 552. For example, the encoder 642 may include a base 644 fixedly connected to the PCB 636 and a stem 646 extending from the base 644. In these examples, the stem 646 may rotate relative to the base 644, and the base 644 or the stem 646 may include a portion configured to provide the stem 646 when the stem 646 rotates relative to the base 644 and / or the top surface 640 One or more detents of resistance. In these examples, outer portion 602 may be connected to stem 646 such that one or more detents of stem 646 and / or base 644 may give outer portion 602 when user 106 rotates outer portion 602 about central axis 605 Provide some resistance. It should be understood that in these examples, the central axis 605 may pass through, for example, the stem 646 and / or the base 644 substantially centrally. In any of the examples set forth herein, and in substantially the same manner as the detent 555 set forth above, one or more of the detents of the encoder 642 may be positioned, sized, and / or It is otherwise configured to conform to a gradual change to one of the corresponding functions of the sports equipment 500. For example, in any of the examples set forth herein, components of PCB 636, control software for sports equipment 500, and / or digital hardware 148 set forth above may be configured such that outer portion 602 surrounds Rotation of the central axis 605 may cause any desired effect associated with the sports equipment 500 (generally, the display 104, the motors 114, 118, one or more speakers of the sports equipment 500, and / or other such components). The functions described above with respect to the rotation control 528 (e.g., changing a position of the base 112, changing a rotation speed of a conveyor 120, pausing the display of one or more exercise courses on the display 104, causing an audible tone to be emitted Etc.) may also be substantially similar to and / or the same as one of the ways explained above with respect to the rotation control 528 by the rotation control 600 and / or otherwise using the rotation control 600 to control.

As shown in FIG. 42, the rotation control member 600 may also include an inner portion 610. In some examples, the inner portion 610 may be fixedly connected to the outer portion 602, and in these examples, the inner portion 610 may rotate with the outer portion 602 about a central axis 605 of the rotation control member 600. In other examples, the inner portion 610 may be independent of the outer portion 602 such that at least, for example, the top portion 604 may rotate about the central axis 605 relative to the inner portion 610. In these examples, the inner portion 610 may be fixed relative to the top portion 604 when the top portion 604 is rotated about the central axis 605. The inner portion 610 may include a substantially dish-shaped plate 612 disposed substantially centrally within the top portion 604. In these examples, the central axis 605 may extend substantially centrally through the plate 612. In addition, 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 and / or otherwise connected to the plate 612, and in these examples, other components of the top portion 604 and / or the outer portion 602 may be relative to the plate 612 and The indicator 608 is rotated.

The rotation control 600 may further include one or more input devices 614 that are substantially similar to and / or the same as the input device 546 described above with respect to the rotation control 528. For example, the rotation control 600 may include an input device 614 disposed substantially centrally with respect to the plate 612. In some examples, the input device 614 may be disposed on and / or otherwise connected to the board 612. In these examples, other components of the top portion 604 and / or the outer portion 602 may be rotated relative to the input device 614. Similar to the input device 546, the input device 614 may include one or more buttons, wheels, touch pads, joysticks, knobs, capacitive sensors, switches, or other components configured to receive input from the user 106, And in these examples, the input received via the input device 614 may be different from and / or independent of the rotary input received from the user 106 via the top 604. In these examples, the input device 614 may be configured to control one or more functions of the sports equipment 500 that are different from and / or independent of the sports equipment 500 controlled by the rotation of the top 604 Features. For example, rotation of other components in the top portion 604 and / or the rotation control member 600 other than the portion 602 may enable the user 106 to control a rotation speed of the conveyor 120, a position of the base 112, and / or the sports equipment 500 In other embodiments of the function, the input received through the input device 614 may control one or more additional functions of the sports equipment 500 different from the rotation speed of the conveyor 120 and the position of the base 112. For example, receiving an input via the input device 614 may cause the conveyor 120 to start rotating, may cause the conveyor 120 to stop rotating, may implement one or more exercise courses, and may implement one or more operating modes of the sports equipment 500 The selection and / or control of various other functions of the sports equipment 500 may be achieved.

As illustrated in FIG. 42, the rotation control member 600 may also include a spacer 616 having a distal portion 618 and a proximal portion 620 extending from the distal portion 618. In these examples, the distal portion 618 may be connected to the input device 614, cooperate with the input device 614, contact the input device 614, and / or otherwise engage the input device 614. In some examples, the remote portion 618 may include a device configured to transmit signals from the input device 614 to, for example, one or more of a microprocessor, filter, amplifier, or other control component of the PCB 636. One or more electrical contacts, sensors and / or other control components. Additionally or alternatively, the distal portion 618 may engage the input device 614 and the proximal portion 620 may extend at least partially into or through an opening 648 of the stem 646. In these examples, the proximal portion 620 may be connected to one or more switches, sensors, electrical contacts, and / or other components of the PCB 636, cooperate with, contact, and / or otherwise The components are engaged in a manner that is configured to receive a signal or other input from an input device 614. In some examples, these components of the PCB 636 may include a physical switch associated with the encoder 642 and / or the PCB 636. In these examples, when the user 106 presses the input device 614, the input device 614 may move proximally toward the PCB 636 along the central axis 605. This movement may cause the spacer 616 to move substantially along the central axis 605 toward the switch, and in some examples, this movement may actuate the switch due to the 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 rotation control member 600 may also include one or more diffusing lenses, collimating lenses, diffractive lenses, chirps, and / or other optical components 622 optically disposed downstream of such LEDs 638. For example, the rotation control 600 may include a ring-shaped optical component 622 optically disposed between one or more of the LEDs 638 and the indicator 608. These optical components 622 can help diffuse the radiation emitted by the LED 638, focus the radiation emitted by the LED 638, and / or otherwise adjust the radiation emitted by the LED 638, and can direct this radiation from the LED 638 to the indicator 608.

In some examples, the rotation control member 600 may further include a substantially rigid frame 624, and one or more of the components described above with respect to the rotation control member 600 may be connected to the frame 624. Additionally, the frame 624 may be directly coupled to the arm 504b, the crossbar 514, and / or other components of the sports equipment 500, mounted to the arm 504b, the crossbar 514, and / or other components of the sports equipment 500, and / or otherwise connected to The arm 504b, the crossbar 514, and / or other components of the sports equipment 500. For example, the frame 624 may include a substantially dish-shaped base 626 having one or more through holes or other components configured to facilitate the connection of the frame 624 to the arm 504b. In these examples, the PCB 636 may be connected to the base 626 and may remain fixed relative to the base 626 when, for example, the stem 646 or other components of the encoder 642 are caused to rotate about the central axis 605. In these examples, the frame 624 may include one of the openings 632 extending substantially centrally therethrough, and the stem 646, the base 644, and / or other portions of the encoder 642 or PCB 636 may be connected to the outside via the opening 632 Components of part 602 and / or outer part 602. In these examples, at least a portion of the spacer 616 may be disposed within the opening 632 to facilitate a connection between the input device 614 and one or more switches or other components of the encoder 642 and / or PCB 636.

The frame 624 may also include one or more additional components configured to support corresponding components of the rotation control 600 and / or at least partially guide rotation of one or more such components relative to the frame 624. For example, the frame 624 may include one or more substantially annular rings 628, 630 configured to at least partially support the outer portion 602. In some examples, one or both of the rings 628, 630 may include a substantially cylindrical bearing surface and / or a cam surface. Such surfaces may include, for example, outer surfaces of the rings 628, 630 configured to contact, connect, and / or otherwise engage one or more corresponding surfaces of the outer portion 602 (e.g., a follower surface). Or inner surface. In these examples, the outer portion 602 may be rotatably connected to the frame 624 and / or the encoder 642, and one or more of the substantially cylindrical bearing surfaces and / or cam surfaces of the rings 628, 630 may be at least partially The rotation of the outer portion 602 about the central axis 605 is guided.

Further, the frame 624 may include one or more shelves 634 that extend substantially perpendicular to one or both of the rings 628, 630. Such a shelf 634 may include a substantially annular, substantially planar surface of the frame 624, and in some examples, the shelf 634 may be opposite and / or substantially parallel to one of the corresponding surfaces of the substrate 626 A corresponding surface extends. In some examples, at least a portion of one of the shelves 634 of the frame 624 may extend radially from the ring 628 to the ring 630. In addition, in some embodiments, the optical assembly 622 may be supported by, connected to, and / or at least partially disposed on the shelf 634. In these examples, the shelf 634 may include openings that allow radiation emitted by the one or more LEDs 638 of the PCB 636 to pass substantially unobstructed from the one or more LEDs 638 to the one or more optical components 622. In some examples, the shelf 634 may include a plurality of such openings, and each opening of the shelf 634 may be substantially aligned with a corresponding LED 638 of one of the PCBs 636 to facilitate the transmission of radiation emitted by the corresponding LED 638 to The optical component 622 and / or shines on the optical component 622.

As shown in FIG. 41, the control 516 may include a substantially rigid frame 563 connected to one of the crossbars 514 of the sports equipment 500. In these 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 the magnetic connector 518 may include a recess 568 configured to receive a user 106 to carry and attach to the user 106 and / or at least part of an emergency stop device worn by the user 106. For example, as described above, the emergency stop device may include a cord of a predetermined length and a magnetic clip or other component disposed at the end of the cord. During use of the sports equipment 500, a magnetic clip at the end of the cord may be placed on the recess 568 and / or at least partially inside the recess 568. In these examples, the recess 568 may include one or more magnets having a polarity opposite to that of the magnetic clip disposed at the end of the flexible cord, such that the clip may be retained at least temporarily at least partially within the recess 568 by magnetic force. . The sports equipment 500 may be configured so that the conveyor belt 120 of the base 112 can rotate only when the magnetic clip at the end of the cord is placed on the recess 568 and / or at least partially inside the recess 568. In addition, removal of the magnetic clip from the recess 568 may cause the conveyor 120 to stop. In these examples, the magnetic connector 518 may include one or more sensors or other components configured to determine that the magnetic clip is at least partially present within the recess 568 and / or the magnetic clip is removed from the recess 568. These sensors of the magnetic connector 518 may be operatively connected to the controller and / or other digital hardware 148 of the sports equipment 500 to facilitate such operations.

In some 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 these examples, these additional sensors 570 may include, among other things, one or more of parameters configured to determine the presence of the user 106, the location of the user 106, and / or the performance of the user 106 Proximity sensors, biosensors, and / or other sensors. In some examples, one or more such sensors 570 may be similar and / or substantially the same as one or more of the sensors 147 discussed above with respect to at least FIG. 29. For example, these sensors 570 may be configured to measure, sense, detect, and / or otherwise determine a user's heart rate, breathing, water content, calorie burn, or any other physical functioning measure, or from The sensor receives such information provided by the user 106. These sensors 570 may be controllers, memory and / or other digital hardware 148 operatively connected to the sports equipment 500.

In addition, in any of the examples described herein, in addition to the input device 520 discussed above, the control 516 may also include one or more input devices 572. Similar to the input device 520, the input device 572 may be configured to receive input from one of the users 106 during use of the sports equipment 500. In these examples, one or more such input devices 572 may include a button, wheel, touch pad, joystick, knob, capacitive sensor, switch configured to receive one of the inputs from the user 106. Or other components, and similar to the input device 520, the input device 572 may be configured to control and / or may enable the user 106 to control one of the corresponding functions of the sports equipment 500. In these examples, the input device 520 may be configured to provide control of a first function of the sports equipment 500, and the input device 572 may be configured to provide control of a second function of the sports equipment 500. The second function is different from the first function associated with the input device 520.
Display and user interface

The one or more displays 104 may be driven by a user input device such as a touch screen, mouse, voice 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 106. The one or more displays 104 can be of any size, but are preferably large enough and oriented to allow display of a series of information including one or more video streams, a series of performance metrics corresponding to a user 106, and distance from Sports equipment 102 is associated with a series of additional performance metrics and a series of different controls associated with one or more additional users of sports on the sports equipment. In various exemplary embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the display 104 may include information in its area that may reflect the image of the user 106 to provide the user with feedback on his size and performance of various activities. Some or all areas.

In various exemplary embodiments, a user may use the display 104 or one or more user interfaces 200 displayed on the display 104 to selectively present live and / or archived videos, performance data, and other user and System information is a series of different information. As will be explained below with respect to at least Figures 12-24, these user interfaces 200 may provide one of access and removal individually and / or as a group by one-click, touch, voice command or gesture Wide range of controls and information windows. In various exemplary embodiments, these windows may provide information about past and present users' own grades and / or the grades of other participants in the same course.

The example user interface 200 presented via the display 104 can be used to access member information of the system 100, log in and out, access live content such as live sports courses and archived courses or other content. User information can be displayed in a variety of formats, and can include historical and current achievements and account information, social networking links and information, achievements, and more. The user interface 200 described herein can also be used to access the system 100 to update profile or member information, manage account settings (such as information sharing), and control device settings.

An exemplary user interface 200 may also be presented on one or more displays 104 to allow users to manage their experience, including choosing which information to display and arranging how to display this information on display 104. This user interface 200 can present multiple types of information overlaid, so that the user 106 can easily select or deselect different types of information. For example, performance metrics and / or other information can be displayed above the video content using semi-transparent or partially transparent elements, so that you can view the video behind the information elements along with the performance metrics and / or other information itself . In addition, the example user interface 200 can present a variety of screens to the user 106, and the user 106 can use the provided user input device (if a touch screen is used, including by touch) to quickly move among the screens .

In any of the examples set forth 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 invention. For example, the processor or other components of the digital hardware 148 may cause the display 104 to display a home screen including one that provides basic information about the system 100 and / or sports equipment 102 and one of the available options 200. This home screen provides direct links to information such as scheduled courses, archived courses, a leaderboard, coaches and / or profiles, and account information. The home screen may also provide direct links to content, such as a link to join a particular course. The user can select these links by using a suitable input device (such as by touching the touch screen at the indicated location, or by swiping to bring up a new screen) among different parts of the home screen Take a tour. The example user interface 200 provided with one such main screen may also provide other user-related information (such as social network information) and navigation keys that allow the user to move quickly 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 between both live and archived content. For example, as shown in FIGS. 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 athletic courses. Such an example toolbar 202 may include various columns or other controls that enable the user 106 to browse this content. For example, the toolbar 202 may include: a first column 204 that enables users to access featured live and archived sports courses; and a second column 206 that enables users to access archived sports courses A library; a third column 208 that enables users to access a schedule of live courses; a fourth column 210 that enables users to access a variety of quick start or "run" content; and / Or other additional or different columns.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, if the user 106 selects the first column 204 associated with the featured course, the user interface 200 may present a high ranking or other priority (eg, “feature”) status. Schedule of one of the preview live or archived courses. The user interface 200 may include one or more drop-down menus or other display features, and these features may also allow the user to find such featured courses by type, coach, or any other appropriate category. The user interface 200 associated with the featured course tab 204 may allow the user 106 to select a future course (as illustrated by a thumbnail or icon 212, 214) or start a course that is ongoing or about to begin (such as a thumbnail or icon 216, 218, 220). In addition, the user interface 200 associated with the featured course tab 204 may allow the user 106 to select one of the archived or on-demand courses that have occurred (as illustrated by a thumbnail or icon 221). Course schedules and information about "featured" content or any other content may be presented via these user interfaces 200 in any suitable format, including a calendar, list, or any other suitable layout. For example, selecting a third column 208 associated with a live schedule of a sports course may generate a user interface 200 that presents a preview schedule of one of the live courses listed on a calendar.

As illustrated by the example user interface 200 shown in FIG. 14, if the user 106 selects the second column 206 associated with the course library, the system 100 can provide information showing information related to the availability of archived courses A user interface 200, and this information can be classified in several different ways. As illustrated by the menu icon 222, the user interface 200 can filter the courses included in the course library so that the icons correspond only to courses associated with running, boot camp, and off-tread A thumbnail image 225 is provided to the user 106. In addition, the user interface 200 may include one or more drop-down menus 224, so that the user 106 can further filter the courses included in the course library. For example, this pull-down menu 224 may enable the user 106 to select a course based on coach, duration, course type, music style, slim body shaping, exercise type, and the like. In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, the icon or thumbnail 225 may be displayed in any suitable format and may include the following information: including the coach of the course, the length of the course, the date the course was originally started, the type of course, and / or other relevant information . In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, selecting one of the thumbnails 225 may present the additional information to the user 106 via an additional window 226 of the user interface 200. For example, this additional information may include an evaluation of one of the courses, the number of times a user has attended his course in the past, the body part that was focused on during the course, additional equipment (such as weight equipment) that may be required during the course, and other grades Or course related information.

16-18 illustrate an example user interface 200 that may be provided to the user 106 during a selected exercise session. When a sports course is being played on one or more displays 104 through the user interface 200, in various exemplary embodiments, the main video feed may be displayed as a full-screen background video or as a sub-window on the display 104 in. Information elements can be provided on different parts of the display to indicate any performance measure, including total time, elapsed time, remaining time, distance, speed, user's 106 mile pace, slope, altitude, resistance, strength, total work , Energy consumed (e.g., output), cadence, heart rate, respiration, water content, calories burned, and / or any custom scores that can be developed. The information displayed can also include trends or relationships between different performance measures. For example, the display may indicate a particular metric with a color indicating the current grade compared to the average grade for a course or over time, such as red to indicate that the current grade is below the average, or green to indicate high On average. Trends or relative performance can also be displayed using colors and graphics, such as a red down arrow to show that the current performance is below the average.

In various exemplary embodiments, the display 104 may also display information that supports or supplements the information provided by the coach. Examples include illustrating one or more segmented timelines 228 along with at least a portion of a selected exercise session in the user interface 200. As shown in FIGS. 16-18, an example segmented timeline 228 may include one or more sections 230a, 230b, 230c, ..., 230n (collectively "Segment 230"). For example, the size, length, width, height, relative position, color, opacity, and / or other configuration of these sections 230 may represent the length of the corresponding portion or segment of the selected exercise course. Generally, the segmented timeline 228 may also provide an indication 232 of one of the elapsed time and / or remaining time of the current exercise session and / or exercise session. Segmented timeline 228 may also include one or more visual markers 234a, 234b, 234c, ..., 234n (collectively referred to as 234a, 234b, 234c, ..., 234n) that indicate that an activity and / or equipment is required during a separate section or segment of a selected exercise session "Mark 234"). For example, the mark 234a may indicate that the section 230a includes a walking section, the mark 234d may indicate that the section 230c includes a running section, and the mark 234b may indicate that a weight apparatus is required within at least a portion of the section 230a. In any of the examples set forth herein, these timelines 228 may also include one or more lists or windows that identify and / or illustrate a preview exercise segment or feature, Instructional information (such as graphics or videos demonstrating how to properly perform exercise) or other information related to ongoing exercise classes.

As shown in FIGS. 16-18, the user interface 200 may include one of the main windows 236 configured to display a live or archived exercise course or other content selected by the user 106. In various exemplary embodiments, the user interface 200 may further include one or more performance measurement windows 238 overlaying and / or otherwise displayed with the main window 236 (eg, FIG. 16 and FIG. "Scorecard" illustrated in Figure 17). These performance metrics windows 238 may display a user's current course, past course, or one of other performance information rankings, total output, current output, slope, conveyor speed, miles pace, and / or other specific performance metrics. These performance measurement windows 238 can be presented anywhere on the display 104 and can be selected by the user, so that these performance measurement windows can be displayed or removed by a screen touch or gesture.

The user interface 200 may also allow the user 106 to toggle between displaying the maximum, average, and total results of different performance metrics. In addition, the user interface 200 may allow the user 106 to hide or display information elements, including performance metrics, video streams, user information, and the like, all or individually at once. Performance metrics and / or other performance information may also be displayed in various display columns 240, 242 that may be hidden or shown as a group or individually. The user interface 200 can provide full control over audio volume, input and output, and display output characteristics.

As shown in FIG. 18, a leaderboard 244 may also be displayed to allow the user 106 to view his performance compared to others who have participated in the same athletic class. In various exemplary embodiments, a leaderboard 244 may include a separate window overlaying and / or otherwise displayed with the main window 236. An example leaderboard 244 may be configured to display the relative performance of all participants and / or one or more subgroups of participants. For example, the user 106 may be able to choose to display participants in a specific age group, male participants, female participants, male participants in a specific age group, participants in a specific geographic area, and the like. One of the rankings 244. As indicated by the example filter shown in FIG. 18, the leaderboard 244 has been configured to show the performance of a group of female participants in their 20s. The user 106 may have the ability to curate individually and / or otherwise configure a leaderboard 244, or the system 100 to curate a ranking by selecting an appropriate group of participants relative to the user 106 List 244. The user 106 may be able to curate his own leaderboard 244 for a particular previously recorded course to establish a leaderboard 244 that provides the user 106 with the greatest personal performance incentive.

The user 106 may have the ability to completely deselect the leaderboard 244 and remove the leaderboard 244 from the user interface 200. In various exemplary embodiments, the sports equipment 102 may incorporate various social network connection patterns, such as allowing the user 106 to follow other participants, or to establish a group of participants or a circle of participants. User lists and information can be accessed, sorted, filtered, and used in a wide range of different ways. For example, other users may be classified, grouped, and / or categorized based on any characteristics including personal information such as age, gender, weight, or based on performance such as current power output, speed, or a custom score.

Leaderboard 244 can be fully interactive, allowing user 106 to scroll up and down the participant rankings, and select a participant to access their detailed performance data, establish a connection (such as choosing to follow another participant), or establish direct communication (Such as via an audio and / or video connection). The leaderboard 244 may also show the user's personal best performance in the same course or in a comparable course, allowing the user 106 to compare his current performance with his previous personal best performance. In some instances, this performance information may also be displayed in one or more of the display columns 240, 242. The leaderboard 244 may also highlight certain participants (such as those followed by the user 106) or provide other visual cues to indicate a link or provide other information about a particular item on the leaderboard 244.

In various exemplary embodiments, the leaderboard 244 will also allow the user 106 to view his ranking and achievement information at any time while scrolling the leaderboard 244. For example, if the user 106 scrolls up towards the top of the leaderboard 244 (such as by dragging his finger upwards on the display 104), when the user 106 reaches the bottom of the leaderboard 244, the position will be locked and the ranking The rest of the list 244 will scroll below that position. Similarly, if the user 106 scrolls down towards the bottom of the leaderboard 244, when the user's window reaches the top of the leaderboard 244, the position will be locked and the rest of the leaderboard 244 will continue to scroll below that position .

In various exemplary embodiments, the system 100 may calculate and / or display one or more custom scores to illustrate one or more aspects of the user's performance. An example of such a custom score would be a decimal number calculated for a specific course or user training session. This score can also be calculated using performance data from some or all courses or training sessions during a specific time period. In any of the examples set forth herein, this custom score may be based, at least in part, on an amount of time elapsed during an athletic session, a total output, or a total consumed by the user 106 during this session The energy and / or number of users 106 participating in one of the exercise classes over a given period of time is calculated and / or otherwise determined by one or more processors of the system 100 and / or the sports equipment 102.

In various exemplary embodiments, performance information about other users may also be presented on the leaderboard 244 or in any other format (including formats that can be classified by related performance parameters). The user may choose to make his results available to all users, selected users and / or coaches or to keep his results private so that others cannot view them.

In various exemplary embodiments, the user interface 200 may also present one or more video streams from a series of different sources. For example, one video stream may be live or archived course content shown in the main window 236, and one or more additional video streams may be displayed in other windows on the display 104. The various video streams may include live or recorded streaming coach videos or any other video content, including one or more live video chat streams. The video content may include instruction information such as information on how to perform a particular sport or presentation content. This video content may also include visual cues that the user 106 will follow when performing his or her movements, such as timing indicators, counting, and the like.

In other examples, one or more of the user interfaces 200 in the lesson illustrated in FIGS. 16-18 may be configured to provide the user 106 with one or more notifications 246 during the athletic lesson. For example, one or more of the sensors 147 may be configured to sense, detect and / or otherwise determine the application to one or both of the conveyor 120, the base 112, the motor 114, 118 And / or at least one of the other components of the sports equipment 102. The sensors 147 may send one or more signals indicating the load and / or a change in the load to a processor or other digital hardware 148 of the sports equipment 102. In response, at least in part, to these signals, the processor or other digital hardware 148 of the sports equipment 102 may cause the notification 246 to be displayed on the display 104 along with at least a portion of the exercise course selected by the user 106. For example, these signals may indicate that the user 106 has stepped down the conveyor belt 120 during a running session of an exercise session. Accordingly, these notifications 246 may indicate that the user 106 has stepped off the conveyor 120 and / or the base 112. These notifications 246 may also request a response from one of the users 106. For example, these notifications 246 may request the user 106 to confirm that they are not injured and / or that the user 106 wants to continue exercising.

As illustrated by the example user interface 200 shown in FIGS. 19-21, if the user 106 selects the fourth column 210 associated with the "running" functionality of the sports equipment 102, the system 100 may provide a display and One of the user interfaces 200 for quick information about running / apps for running. For example, the user interface 200 may include icons or thumbnails 248, 250, 252 that allow the user 106 to select one or more desired exercise programs. For example, the freestyle icon 248 may enable the user 106 to set his own self-elevation, conveyor speed, running route, and / or other parameters, and may enable the user 106 to perform an undefined and unlimited Means (for example, if a particular exercise class is not displayed on the display 104). The scenic area icon 250 may be similar to the fancy fitness icon 248 in that the scenic area icon 250 may enable the user 106 to exercise without a specific exercise course being displayed on the display 104. However, in response to receiving an input indicating that one of the scenic area icons 250 is selected, the user interface 200 may present a plurality of additional icons or thumbnails 254 corresponding to the respective scenic area runways stored in a memory of the sports equipment 102. Such icons or thumbnails 254 are illustrated in FIG. 20. After selecting one of the icons or thumbnails 254, the user interface 200 turns to display the selected track on the display 104 as the user 106 moves on the treadmill 102. In addition, the race icon 252 may enable the user 106 to perform a relatively high-intensity exercise without displaying a particular exercise session on the display 104. For example, in response to receiving an input indicating that one of the competition icons 252 is selected, the user interface 200 may present a plurality of additional icons corresponding to respective time-based challenges or competitions stored in a memory of the sports equipment 102 or Thumbnail 256. Such icons or thumbnails 256 are illustrated in FIG. 21. After selecting one of the icons or thumbnails 256, the user interface 200 turns to display on the display 104 the conveyor speed, base slope, output, elapsed time, mile pace, calorie burn associated with the selected race And / or other performance parameters or other information.

22-24 illustrate an example user interface 200 configured to provide performance information to the user 106 before, during, or after a selected athletic session. For example, the user interface 200 illustrated in FIG. 23 provides an overview of one of the information associated with a particular user 106 (eg, “clementinecein”). As indicated in the user interface 200 of FIG. 23, this information may include, among other things, the number of followers the user 106 has, the number of partner participants that the user 106 is following, and what the user 106 has done throughout his life Running, cycling, cycling training or other exercise, various achievements or rewards that user 106 has obtained, user 106's best personal output record, timeline of one of the user's recent exercise activities, and / or exercise activities with the user Associated other such general information. This information may be displayed in one or more separate sections or windows 258, 260 of the user interface 200. In other examples, on the other hand, this information may be provided in the user interface 200 in place of a format, window, or location.

On the other hand, the user interface 200 illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 24 provides 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 the user interface 200 of FIG. 22, this information may include a list of one of the exercise or other exercise classes performed by the user 106 this week and / or this month. This information may be displayed in a first window 262 of the user interface 200, and may further include one of the user's output during each athletic session, the date and time of the session, coaching and / or other information. The user interface 200 may also include one or more additional windows 264 and / or other formats useful in providing additional information about the exercise history of the user 106. For example, this additional window 264 may provide specific performance metrics (e.g., a heart rate trendline, a segmented timeline, an average) associated with a specific exercise from a previous exercise shown in the first window 262. Heart rate, a total output, and / or other performance measures).

Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 24, one or more additional user interfaces 200 that provide information associated with the exercise history of a particular user 106 may include the window 262 described above and provide achievements, output trends, and / Or one or more additional windows 266, 268 of other exercise information. For example, window 266 may display the total output associated with a particular exercise among the previous exercises shown in the first window 262, distance run, altitude ascended, calories burned, average output, and / or energy consumed , Average speed, average mile pace, and / or other information. The window 266 may also display a ranking of the user 106 corresponding to a specific exercise in the previous exercise and various achievements that have been achieved by performing one of the previous exercise. On the other hand, window 268 may provide speed, output, and / or other trend lines associated with a particular exercise from a previous exercise. Therefore, the user interface 200 illustrated in FIGS. 22-24 can provide the user 106 with relatively detailed performance information, and the user 106 can use the performance information to improve his overall health and / or ability. Any of the information provided via the user interface 200 described herein may be stored in memory or other components of one of the digital hardware 148 of the sports equipment 102 and / or may be stored remotely.

The results-focused user interface 200 illustrated in Figures 22-24 can also be configured to provide information obtained from various additional sources. For example, information about user performance may be collected from a variety of sources other than the various sensors 147 on the main sports equipment 102. As illustrated in FIG. 5, other sports equipment 102 and devices used during a sports session may each include one or more sensors to collect information about user performance. The user 106 may also use a variety of other clothing or devices (eg, a watch, a wristband, a headband, a hat, shoes, etc.) attached to his body that include one or more additional sensors 270. The user 106 may also use other exercise equipment 272 such as weights, resistance bands, rollers, or any other suitable equipment, and this exercise equipment 272 may also include one or more such additional sensors 270. Data from all these sources can be collected by the local system 100 and analyzed to provide user performance feedback.

One challenge with regard to certain types of data collected from these sensors 270 is determining the appropriate context for interpreting the data so that accurate information about user performance can be derived. For example, a sensor 270 worn on the user's wrist may provide data instructing the user's wrist to perform a series of movements that conform to one of several different sports, but the sensor may be difficult or impossible to derive from the user 106 which exercise is actually being performed. In the absence of a scenario, showing the user's wrist up and down can indicate that the user 106 is running or the user 106 can only move his arm. Therefore, the performance data derived from these sensors 270 may be extremely inaccurate.

In various exemplary embodiments, data from a variety of sensors 270 on a sports device 272 (such as a free weight apparatus) and on the user's body may be collected, and the system 100 may be provided for interpretation from all sources Scenarios of collected sensor data use information about coach-led group fitness classes to improve accuracy. If the course instructor has, for example, instructed the user 106 to perform a push-up, the system 100 may assume that the sensed movement that corresponds to a push-up is actually a push-up and interpret the sensor data accordingly. Scenarios provided by coach-led group fitness classes can substantially improve the performance data obtained.

Therefore, at least one or more of the user interfaces 200 illustrated in FIGS. 22-24 may also provide any of the performance data and / or other information that may be used to display from the sensor 270 and / or the sports device 272 One or more additional windows. These additional windows can also be configured to display a series of content that contains additional grade data, information about courses, coaches, other participants, or a secondary video stream. These additional windows may allow the user 106 to view a series of information about other current or past participants to compare performance, and to turn voice or video chat streaming or other communication channels on or off. In various exemplary embodiments, the user 106 may simultaneously access and / or watch other content including movies, TV channels, online channels, and the like via one or more such additional windows.

In various exemplary embodiments, the user interface 200 described herein may be implemented by using a local program or application of a local operating system (such as an Android or iOS application) or via a browser-based system. While running. Any of the performance metrics or other information described herein with respect to the various user interfaces 200 may also be remotely accessed via any suitable network, such as the Internet. For example, users 106 may be able to access a website from a tablet, mobile phone, computer, and / or any other digital device, and these users 106 may be able to review historical information and other participants through this website Communicate, schedule lessons, access coaching information, and / or watch any of the information described herein with regard to the various user interfaces 200.
User-generated content

A feature of a face-to-face group sports course is the ability to see other participants performing sports or other activities in response to instructions from the course leader. Seeing this ability of others performing the same exercise or activity can provide motivation to maintain or improve performance or help users confirm that they are performing the appropriate exercise in the proper form. In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a video stream showing other course participants performing sports guided by a coach or other course leader may be displayed on one or more displays 104 of respective sports equipment 102. In various exemplary embodiments, these additional video streams may include user-generated content related to live or previously recorded athletic lesson content. Referring to FIG. 8, for example, an exemplary embodiment is illustrated in which video streams of other course participants are displayed in child windows 274 a, 274 b, 274 c across a top portion of one of the user interface 200 shown on the display 104. , ..., 274n (collectively referred to as "child window 274"). These sub-windows 274 may be displayed on the display 104 when a coach is displayed in one of the main windows 276 of the user interface 200. If the course is a live course, this content can be streamed live. If the course is an archived course, the content may be a live stream if other course participants are participating in the course at the same time, or the content may be archived content from other course participants who previously participated in the course. One or more of these video streams may be displayed on one or more displays 104 described herein. In addition, the user interface 200 may provide an additional window 278 by touching one of the sub-windows 274, selecting one of the sub-windows 274, and / or otherwise providing input through one of the sub-windows 274, This enables the user 106 to expand a video associated with the selected sub-window, follow a user associated with the selected sub-window, and / or perform one or more additional actions associated with the selected sub-window.

In various exemplary embodiments, the user 106 may also be able to provide feedback on this user-generated content. For example, user 106 may be able to enter (such as) a positive indication that he or she dislikes user-generated content by clicking on an icon provided via additional window 278 indicating his opinion or otherwise entering his opinion. Or negative feedback.

In various exemplary embodiments, the user 106 may also choose whether to display any such user-generated content. If user-generated content is displayed, there are several different ways to determine which user-generated content is displayed to a particular user 106. In various exemplary embodiments, the user-generated content may be selected by the user 106 by selecting the user-generated content from available user-generated content regarding a particular athletic course currently displayed via the display 104. This user-generated content may also be selected by the course coach or one or more content editors. This user-generated content may be presented via a content queue ordered based on any suitable criteria, or this user-generated content may be based on the system 100. One or more suitable criteria are selected. For example, the user-generated content to be displayed may only be a time-based queue of one of the user-generated content available, regardless of quality.

In various exemplary embodiments, the user-generated content to be displayed may be selected to provide the best quality user-generated content available for a particular selected exercise course when viewed. When the course is live, the availability of user-generated content will be limited to live streaming content generated during the course itself. For archived courses, available user-generated content can include all content generated by each user participating in the course at any time. User-generated content to be displayed for an archived course may be based on cumulative evaluations of that user-generated content over time, or based on any other popularity measure. This method will produce an improvement over time on user-generated content that is displayed with any archived course, because user-generated content that receives the best feedback will be selected for display, and will not show that no positive activity was received User generated content for feedback.
Local system

As mentioned above, an exemplary local system 100 may include a sports equipment 102 and a series of associated sensing, data storage, processing, and / or communication components (eg, digital hardware 148). In an exemplary embodiment, such components may be placed on the board on the sports equipment 102 itself and / or located near the sports equipment 102. The processing, data storage and / or communication components may be located in one of the housings 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 in the local end in motion On or near the equipment 102. Such an exemplary local system 100 may communicate with one or more remote servers via a wired or wireless connection using any suitable network or protocol.

In addition, as described above, an example sports equipment 102 may be equipped with various sensors 147 useful for measuring, sensing, detecting, and / or otherwise determining information related to user performance metrics. This information may be stored in the memory associated with the digital hardware 148 and / or in the memory associated with the remote server, and this information may be used by the processor and / or other components of the digital hardware 148 to determine One or more of the performance measures described in this article and / or determine other performance information. Sports equipment 102 may also be equipped with or connected to various data input devices or other user interfaces, such as display 104, touch screen, video camera, and / or microphone.

The sensor 147 and other input devices may communicate with the local and / or remote processing and storage devices via any suitable communication protocol and network using any suitable connection, including wired or wireless connections. In various exemplary embodiments, area communications may be managed using a variety of technologies. For example, regional communications may be managed using wired transmission using a series of protocols to communicate between the sensor and the console. Area communications can also be managed using a wireless communication protocol, such as the ANT or ANT + protocols. ANT is a 2.4GHz practical wireless network protocol and embedded system solution specifically designed for wireless sensor networks (WSN) that require ultra-low power. Benefits include extremely compact architecture, network flexibility and scalability, ease of use, and low system cost. Various combinations of wired and wireless area communications are also available.

Access to any appropriate communication network (such as the Internet) can be used to provide information to and from other sports equipment 102 or other resources (such as a back-end system or platform). End systems or platforms). In various exemplary embodiments, the local system 100 may directly access and display information related to other users through a distributed platform, or indirectly access and display information related to other users through a central platform (regardless of Where other users are). These other users may exist at the same location or a nearby location, or these other users may be located at a remote location.
Content creation and distribution

Content for delivery to users 106 can be created and stored in a variety of local or remote locations and shared across network-connected exercise systems, including live and archived sports lessons, live and archived instruction content (Such as video content explaining how to properly perform a sport), scenic or map-based content, video, and / or animation that can be rendered in three dimensions from any angle. Such an example network-connected exercise system is illustrated at least in FIG. 9. The overview of this network-connected motion system is merely exemplary and will be easily understood. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be implemented through a variety of different system architectures using centralized or distributed content creation and distribution techniques.

In various exemplary embodiments, the network-connected exercise system 100 is managed through one or more network-connected back-end servers, and includes storage for user information, system information, performance information, and archives. Various databases of content, etc. The user's local system 100 communicates with a network-connected back-end server via any suitable network, including but not limited to the Internet. As an example of an alternative dissemination method, in various exemplary embodiments, the back-end server may be eliminated, and data may be transmitted throughout the system in a dispersive or peer-to-peer manner rather than via a central server network. In this system, the performance data can be split into small packets or "fragments" and distributed among user devices, so that the complete data set can be quickly distributed to all devices for display as needed.

Content for distribution over the web can be created in many different ways. Content recording locations can include professional content recording studios or amateur and home based locations. In various exemplary embodiments, the recording studio may include a space for a live broadcast coach-led exercise course with a live studio participation, or may be a dedicated studio without a live studio participation. As shown in FIG. 9, a recording device including one or more video cameras 300, a microphone 302, an mp3 player or other music player 304, and / or other components may be used to photograph coaches and / or participants during the course. Multiple cameras 300 may provide different views, 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 sports equipment 102 may be equipped with a recording device including a microphone 302 and a camera 300. The user 106 can generate live or recorded courses that can be transmitted, stored in the system, and distributed throughout the network.

With continued reference to FIG. 9, course content may be generated based on providing the output of one or more video cameras 300, microphones 302, and / or music player 304 as input to an audio mixer 306. The audio mixer 306 can output the content to an analog-to-digital converter 308, which can provide the converted data to a production switcher 310. The production switcher 310 can send the production video to a video encoder 312, which can store the encoded video to a local storage device 314, and can also send the encoded video to a video transcoder 316. The video transcoder 316 can output the transcoded data to a video packetizer 318, which can then send a packetized data stream to a remote system user 322 via a content distribution network 320. In various exemplary embodiments, the coach and / or user 106 may have access to a content creation platform, and the coach and / or user 106 may use the content creation platform to help them create content. This platform can provide tools for selecting and editing music, managing volume controls, launching chats or other communication with users.

As explained above, through the display 104 and / or other user interface on the sports equipment 102 of the user 106, the user 106 can access a list, calendar, and schedule. In various exemplary embodiments, once the user 106 selects a course, the local system 100 accesses and displays one of the main data streams for the course. This primary data stream can include video, music, voice, text, or any other data, and can represent a live or previously recorded recurring lesson. The local system 100 can be equipped for hardware video acceleration encoding / decoding to manage high-definition video quality up to 1080 pixels based on existing technologies. The local system 100 can automatically adjust the bit rate / quality of the data stream of the course so as to bring the highest quality video to the participants according to the user's bandwidth / hardware constraints.

In various exemplary embodiments, the network-connected exercise system and method of the present invention may include multidirectional communication and data transfer capabilities that allow video, audio, voice, and data to be shared among all users and / or coaches. This allows users to access and display multi-directional video and audio streams from coaches and / or other users, regardless of location, and establish direct communications with other users to have private or Joint video and / or audio communications. These data streams may be created through the local system 100 for presentation via one or more displays 104, via one or more of the user interfaces 200 described above. 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 of the course and other audio channels or even unrelated audio streams of different users, such as a phone call or its own music selection. For example, this would allow a user 106 to turn down the coach volume to facilitate a conversation with one of the other users.

Regarding live courses, in various exemplary embodiments, the coach may be able to communicate with the entire class or contact individual users at the same time, and solicit feedback from all users (regardless of location) in real time. For example, the coach may verbally ask the user or send a pop-up message to the user 106 to seek feedback on difficulty levels, music choices, terrain, and the like. The user 106 may then respond through the components of the local system 100 by selecting an appropriate response or providing verbal feedback. This allows coaches to use crowdsourcing to develop a course to suit the needs of participants and to improve their course by soliciting feedback or voting on specific course features or elements.

In various exemplary embodiments, the coach may also be able to set a performance goal, and the system may measure the performance of the user 106 relative to the goal and display the performance to the user 106 and the coach. For example, a coach may set a target metric (such as target strength and speed), and then display the target metric next to the user with a color code to indicate whether the user has achieved the target. The system may allow a coach to remotely adjust the sports equipment settings of an individual user 106. In various exemplary embodiments, the sports equipment 102 may also be automatically adjusted based on information from the user 106, based on information from the coach, or based on performance. For example, the sports equipment 102 may adjust the difficulty of maintaining a specific performance parameter (such as a heart rate within a specific range) or achieving a specific performance goal.

In various exemplary embodiments, the user 106 may control access to his own information, which includes sensor data, performance metrics, and personal information. This data can be stored at the local system 100, transmitted for storage and management by a remote system and shared with other users, or stored remotely but not shared with other users. The user 106 may also choose to reveal its existence to other users on the system, or participate in a course without making other users aware of its existence.

In various exemplary embodiments, the user 106 may have access to a list of all or selected one of the current and / or past course participants. These lists can include performance information about these users, such as total strength, speed, number of steps, pace, resistance, or a custom score that provides information about relative user performance. These lists may also include controls that allow the user to open a live stream (such as a live video chat stream) to the user.
System characteristics and user resources

In various exemplary embodiments, the network-connected exercise system and method may allow the user 106 to create an account and save and manage their performance data. As discussed above, the system may allow the user 106 to browse the schedule of a preview live course, register for future live streaming courses, and set reminders. The user 106 can also invite others to participate in a live course, and set text, email, voice, or other notifications and calendar items. In addition to the user interface of the local system 100 associated with the user's sports equipment 102, the user 106 can also access the system via a web-based or application-based interface of a desktop computer and / or mobile device , Account, grades, and all other information.

In various exemplary embodiments, the system can achieve multiple users participating in a recorded course simultaneously, which is synchronized by the system and allows access to all the same communication and data sharing features available for a live course. With this feature, participants participating in the same archived course at the same time can compete with each other and with past grades or "virtual" participants in the same course.

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 via a network. In various exemplary embodiments, the network-connected exercise system may be configured to have a plurality of user exercise devices 400 that communicate with a video chat platform 402 and a video content distribution network 404. , The video content distribution network receives audio video content from one or more content sources 406. The user exercise device 400 may also communicate with various other networks and servers. For example, the user exercise device 400 may exchange sensor and performance data and / or messaging with various databases 408 (including historical or "virtual participant" data). A control station 410 may provide signals via a network to control the collection, storage, and management of data across the system.

One challenge with using comparative data from live and / or historical sources is synchronization, as some users 106 can start exercising before the actual course begins, while others can join after the course has started. In order to provide accurate information about the course results of the leaderboards (including archived grade information), each course may have a specific "entry" or start signal that serves as one of the starting points in the comparison of the data. Archived grade data can be calibrated to the same "entry" signal as live participant data, allowing comparative data to be presented through a leaderboard or other display until the end of the course. A "Stop" signal at the end of the course indicates the end point of the results comparison for live and archived performance data. If a participant joins the course after the "entry" signal, their data can be synchronized and correctly started when they join the course.

FIG. 11 shows various events with respect to time, and time increases from left to right on a ruler at the bottom. The timeline of the course itself (whether it is a live or archived course) is displayed at the top, where the timeline of the four different participants is displayed below the timeline of the course. The video delivered for a live or archived course may begin at the video start point 420 before the actual course begins. The GO signal point 422 indicates the start of a lesson or a comparison period of the course, the STOP signal point 424 indicates the end of a lesson or the comparison period of the lesson, and the end video point 426 indicates the end of a video stream. For participants 1, 2, and 4, all of them started to exercise before the GO signal point, and the GO signal served as the start time point of their course performance measure. For Participant 3, the actual starting point will serve as the starting point for their course performance measures. For participants 1, 2, and 3, they continue to exercise after the STOP signal point. The end point of their course performance measurement will be the STOP signal point, and the end point of participant 4 will be the time when they actually stopped exercising.

Using this system, live and past performance data of users or other participants can be provided during a course in a series of numerical and graphical formats for comparison and competition. The user's live and past performance data or target performance data can also be displayed at the same time to allow the user to compare their performance with a benchmark during a course or after a course. In various exemplary embodiments, the system may also allow users to establish a handicapping system to balance competition among different users or user groups, thereby allowing a broad-based competition.

In various exemplary embodiments, the system may combine information from multiple users 106 to produce a combined or collective result. For example, the performance information of different users can be combined to generate a single performance measurement, such as in a relay type competition, where the time of 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 results from two or more different sports equipment 102 to produce a single output or score. For example, performance information collected from a bicycle and a treadmill used sequentially or as part of the same team sports course can be combined together in a single output that reflects performance data from multiple sports equipment 102.

In various exemplary embodiments, a mobile application may allow users on non-network-connected sports equipment to access the system via a mobile digital device, such as a tablet or mobile phone, and access content, Live streaming and other system features. The mobile device can access the system via any suitable network using a dedicated application or browser.

In various exemplary embodiments, the system may use one or more secondary displays to display lesson content. A device such as CHROMECAST or a similar integrated device is used to enable a secondary display to display content provided by the system through a user interface, and a secondary display screen can be used to display course content or other content provided by the system. The user interface can automatically detect the availability of this enabled device and allow the user to choose a display screen for specific content.

Various types of rewards and honors can be established for different achievements to create incentives to improve performance or clean up other goals. In various exemplary embodiments, a coach or user may create a small competition in which all users participate or only a selected group of users, such as a group of friends. Contests such as sprinting, mountain climbing, and maximum power output can be preset or created in real time through the user interface. The winner can receive a prize, such as a badge, trophy, or ride-specific honor (such as a green or yellow shirt). Contests can be established during one course or training period or across multiple courses or training periods.
Terms

The exemplary clause AT described below sets forth exemplary embodiments of the invention. Any of the following clauses or their individual features may be combined in any way. In addition, the description contained in any of the following example clauses may be combined with one or more of the features set forth above or illustrated in Figures 1-42. The clauses described below are not intended to narrow the scope of the invention in any way, and merely constitute examples of the various embodiments set forth herein.
A: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a treadmill includes: a base having a continuous track; and a plurality of slats fixedly connected to the track. The treadmill also includes: a first post extending from the base; a second post extending from the base opposite to the first post; and a first arm supported by the first post A first rotation control member is included. The treadmill further includes a second arm opposite the first arm and supported by the second post. The second arm includes a second rotation control member independent of the first rotation control member. The first rotation control member is configured to control a first function of the treadmill, and the second rotation control member is configured to control a second function of the treadmill different from the first function.
B: The treadmill of clause A, further comprising a first crossbar extending from the first arm to one of the second arms and extending from the first arm to the second arm opposite the first crossbar A second crossbar that includes a third control configured to stop rotation of the track.
C: The treadmill as described in clause A or B, wherein the first function includes a rotation speed of the track, and the second function includes a slope of the bottom platform relative to a supporting surface on which the treadmill is disposed.
D: The treadmill according to clauses A, B or C, wherein the first rotation control member includes an outer portion rotatable about a central axis of the first rotation control member and rotated relative to the first arm.
E: The treadmill as described in clause D, wherein the first rotation control member further includes an input device independent of the outer part, and the input device is configured to control the running different from the first function and the second function. Machine one of the third function.
F: The treadmill of clause 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 restrict the The outer part rotates around the central axis.
G: The treadmill as described in clauses A, B, C, D, E or F, wherein the first rotation control member includes an indicator, and wherein rotation of an outer portion of the first rotation control member generates the indicator. At least part of the symmetric temporary lighting.
H: The treadmill as described in clauses A, B, C, D, E, F, or G, wherein the first rotation control member includes: a first component configured to allow a user of the treadmill to The first arm provides tactile feedback to the user when the first rotation control is rotated, and a second component, which is different from the first component and configured to rotate when the user rotates relative to the first arm. The first rotation control member provides visible feedback to the user.
I: The treadmill as described in clauses A, B, C, D, E, F, G or H, wherein the first rotation control member includes a carrier, rotatably connected to an outer part of the carrier, and connected to the carrier A printed circuit board, and wherein the rotation of the outer portion relative to the carrier causes a component of the printed circuit board to transmit a corresponding first signal to a controller of the treadmill.
J: The treadmill as described in clause I, wherein the first rotation control further includes an internal part including an input device, the input device is configured to receive an input, and receiving the input will cause the printed circuit board to The component transmits a corresponding second signal to the controller.
K: In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a treadmill includes: a controller; a first motor operatively connected to the controller; a second motor that is independent of the first motor And operatively connected to the controller; a first rotation control member operatively connected to the controller; and a second rotation control member independent of the first rotation control member and operatively connected to the controller The controller. In this embodiment, the first rotation control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill associated with the first motor. In addition, the second rotation control is configured to control a second function of the treadmill associated with the second motor, the second function being different from the first function.
L: The treadmill as described in clause K, wherein the first function includes a rotation speed of a continuous track of the treadmill, and the second function includes a base of the treadmill relative to a support on which the treadmill is disposed. One of the slopes of the surface.
M: The treadmill as described in clause K or L, wherein the first rotation control member includes a first outer portion rotatable about a central axis of the first rotation control member, and the second rotation control member includes a rotatable portion A second outer portion is rotated by a center axis of a second rotation control member.
N: The treadmill as described in clause K, L or M, wherein at least one of the first rotation control member or the second rotation control member includes an input device, the input device is operatively connected to the controller and is operated by It is configured to control a third function of one of the treadmills 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 rotation control member or the second rotation control member includes an indicator, and wherein the first rotation control member or the first rotation control member Rotation of the at least one of the two rotation controls produces a commensurate temporary illumination of at least part of the indicator.
P: The treadmill of clauses K, L, M, N or O, further comprising a third control element independent of the first rotation control element and the second rotation control element, the third control element being operable Connected to the controller and configured to stop rotation of a continuous track of the treadmill.
Q: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a treadmill includes: providing an upper assembly, the upper assembly including a first arm, a second arm opposite to the first arm A first crossbar extending from the first arm to one of the second arms 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 rotation control member to the first arm. The first rotation control member includes an outer portion rotatable relative to the first arm and an inner portion including an input device. The method further includes connecting a second rotation control member to the second arm, the second rotation control member including an outer portion rotatable relative to the second arm. The method also includes operatively connecting the first rotation control and the second rotation control to a controller of the treadmill. The first rotation control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill via the controller, and the second rotation control is configured to control the different function from the first function via the controller. One of the second functions of the treadmill.
R: The method of clause Q, further comprising: connecting a third control member to the first crossbar, wherein the third control member is operatively connected to the controller of the treadmill, configured to pass The controller controls a third function of the treadmill, and the third function is different from the first function and the second function.
S: The method of clause Q or R, wherein the outer portion of the first control member is rotatable about a central axis of the first control member relative to the inner portion of the first control member, the first control member It further includes an indicator configured to cause the rotation of the outer portion of the first control member to generate commensurate temporary lighting of at least a portion of the indicator, and the input device is configured to control the first function. A third function of the treadmill which is different from the second function.
T: The method of clause S, wherein the first control member further includes at least one detent configured to rotate the first control member relative to the central axis when a user of the treadmill The outer portion provides tactile feedback to the user.
to sum up

The subject matter set forth above 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 invention. Various modifications may be made to the subject matter described herein without following the illustrated illustrations and the illustrated examples and applications, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the scope of the accompanying patent application. Modify and change.

100‧‧‧ local system / system / example local system / network-connected motion system / user's local system

102‧‧‧Sports Equipment / Treadmill / Main Sports Equipment / Exemplary Sports Equipment

104‧‧‧Display

106‧‧‧ users

108‧‧‧ lower assembly

110‧‧‧upper assembly

112‧‧‧Bottom

114‧‧‧first motor / motor

116‧‧‧Tilt frame

118‧‧‧Second motor / motor

120‧‧‧Conveyor / Example Conveyor

122‧‧‧Continuous track / track

124‧‧‧ Parts

126‧‧‧ horizontally aligned slats / slats

128‧‧‧ sidewall / first sidewall / second sidewall

130‧‧‧column / first column / second column

130a‧‧‧first column / column / corresponding column

130b‧‧‧Second column / column / corresponding column

132‧‧‧cross bar

134‧‧‧carriage

136‧‧‧End cap

138‧‧‧carriage

140‧‧‧Coupling

142‧‧‧Top Pad

144‧‧‧Rotary Controls / Infinite Wheel Controls / Infinite Wheel Controls

146‧‧‧Rotary Controls / Infinite Wheel Rotary Controls

147‧‧‧Sensor

148‧‧‧Digital hardware

150‧‧‧control logic

152‧‧‧outer

154‧‧‧Frame

156‧‧‧Seat

158‧‧‧Substantially linear control / control element / first substantially linear control

160‧‧‧components

162‧‧‧components

164‧‧‧ extra touch pad / touch pad

166‧‧‧components

168‧‧‧board

170‧‧‧printed circuit board

172‧‧‧capacitive trace

174‧‧‧Second substantially linear control / substantially linear control

200‧‧‧user interface / example user interface / in-course user interface / extra user interface / score-focused user interface

202‧‧‧toolbar / example toolbar

204‧‧‧The first column / featured course column

206‧‧‧Column 2

208‧‧‧Column III

210‧‧‧ Fourth column

212‧‧‧thumbnail / icon

214‧‧‧Thumbnails / Icons

216‧‧‧thumbnail / icon

218‧‧‧thumbnail / icon

220‧‧‧ Thumbnail / Icon

221‧‧‧ Thumbnail / Icon

222‧‧‧Menu icon

224‧‧‧drop-down menu

225‧‧‧icon / thumbnail

226‧‧‧extra window

228‧‧‧Segmented Timeline / Example Segmented Timeline / Timeline

230a‧‧‧section

230b‧‧‧section

230c‧‧‧section

232‧‧‧Instructions

234a‧‧‧Visual Marking / Marking

234b‧‧‧Visual Marking / Marking

234c‧‧‧Visual Marking

234d‧‧‧Visual Marking / Marking

236‧‧‧Main window

238‧‧‧Achievement measurement window

240‧‧‧display bar

242‧‧‧display bar

244‧‧‧ Leaderboards / Example Leaderboards

246‧‧‧Notice

248‧‧‧icon / thumbnail / fancy fitness icon

250‧‧‧ Icons / Thumbnails / Scenic Area Icons

252‧‧‧icons / thumbnails / contest icons

254‧‧‧icon / thumbnail

256‧‧‧icon / thumbnail

258‧‧‧Separate section / window

260‧‧‧Separate section / window

262‧‧‧first window / window

264‧‧‧extra window

266‧‧‧Extra window / window

268‧‧‧ extra window / window

270‧‧‧ Extra sensor / sensor

272‧‧‧sports equipment

274a‧‧‧child window

274b‧‧‧child window

274c‧‧‧child window

276‧‧‧Main window

278‧‧‧extra window

300‧‧‧ Video Camera / Camera / 3D Camera

302‧‧‧Microphone

304‧‧‧Music player

306‧‧‧Audio Mixer

308‧‧‧ Analog to Digital Converter

310‧‧‧ Production Switcher

312‧‧‧Video encoder

314‧‧‧Local storage device

316‧‧‧Video codec

318‧‧‧ Video Packetizer

320‧‧‧ Content Distribution Network

322‧‧‧Remote System User

400‧‧‧user exercise equipment

402‧‧‧video chat platform

404‧‧‧ Video Content Distribution Network

406‧‧‧Content source

408‧‧‧Database

410‧‧‧Control Station

420‧‧‧ Video Start Point

422‧‧‧GO signal point

424‧‧‧STOP signal point

426‧‧‧End video point

500‧‧‧Example Sports Equipment / Treadmill / Sport Equipment / Equipment

502a‧‧‧end cap

502b‧‧‧end cap

504a‧‧‧arm

504b‧‧‧arm

506‧‧‧ Crossbar / First Crossbar

514‧‧‧crossbar / second crossbar

516‧‧‧Control

518‧‧‧magnetic connector

520‧‧‧input device

522‧‧‧tray

524‧‧‧Gap

526‧‧‧Infinite wheel type rotation control / rotation control

528‧‧‧Infinite wheel type rotation control / rotation control / example rotation control

530‧‧‧outer / corresponding outer

532‧‧‧ substrate

534‧‧‧Top

536‧‧‧center axis

538‧‧‧grip

540‧‧‧ indicator / indicator number

542‧‧‧Inner part

544‧‧‧ essentially dish / plate

546‧‧‧input device

548‧‧‧ substrate

550‧‧‧ essentially center opening / opening

552‧‧‧ carrier

554‧‧‧ essentially rigid frame / frame

555‧‧‧ detent

556‧‧‧printed circuit board

558‧‧‧fixed mount

560‧‧‧ opening

562‧‧‧ opening

563‧‧‧ essentially rigid frame / frame

564‧‧‧Top surface

566‧‧‧ front surface

568‧‧‧ recess

570‧‧‧ Extra sensor / sensor

572‧‧‧input device

600‧‧‧Example Rotation Control / Rotation Control

602‧‧‧outer

604‧‧‧Top

605‧‧‧center axis

606‧‧‧grip

608‧‧‧ indicator / indicator number

610‧‧‧Inner part

612‧‧‧ essentially dish / plate

614‧‧‧input device

616‧‧‧ spacer

618‧‧‧Remote part

620‧‧‧proximal part

622‧‧‧Optical Components / Ring Optical Components

624‧‧‧ essentially rigid frame / frame

626‧‧‧ essentially dish-shaped substrate

628‧‧‧ essentially ring / circle

630‧‧‧ essentially ring / circle

632‧‧‧ opening

634‧‧‧shelf

636‧‧‧printed circuit board

638‧‧‧light-emitting diode / corresponding light-emitting diode

640‧‧‧Top surface

642‧‧‧ Encoder

644‧‧‧ substrate

646‧‧‧ Heart Post

648‧‧‧ opening

Embodiments are explained with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the left-most digit of an element symbol identifies the figure in which the element symbol first appears. The same element symbols in different drawings indicate similar or equivalent items.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of one exemplary sports equipment as disclosed herein, in which a user is shown.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of one of another exemplary sports equipment as disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a portion of another exemplary sports equipment as disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of another exemplary sports equipment as disclosed herein, in which a user is shown.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of an exemplary sports equipment as disclosed herein, including diagrams of exemplary information displayed on a display screen, a personal device, weight equipment and other accessory devices.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of one of still another exemplary sports equipment as disclosed herein.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of another exemplary sports equipment as disclosed herein, in which a user is shown.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an exemplary user interface of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing one of the exemplary components for content creation and / or distribution.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a basic network architecture according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a method for synchronizing data among different users participating in the same live or on-demand sports course.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary user interface of the present invention that includes information related to a characteristic athletic program.

FIG. 13 illustrates another exemplary user interface of the present invention that includes information related to a characteristic athletic program.

FIG. 14 illustrates another exemplary user interface of the present invention including information related to a course library.

FIG. 15 illustrates another exemplary user interface of the present invention including information related to a selected exercise course.

FIG. 16 illustrates yet another exemplary user interface of the present invention showing a sports course and a scorecard.

FIG. 17 illustrates yet another example user interface of the present invention showing a sports course and a scorecard.

FIG. 18 illustrates another example user interface of the present invention showing a sports course and a leaderboard.

FIG. 19 illustrates another exemplary user interface of the present invention that includes information related to a just run user experience.

FIG. 20 illustrates yet another exemplary user interface of the present invention including information related to a scenic running path associated with a running user experience.

FIG. 21 illustrates yet another exemplary user interface of the present invention that includes information related to a competition associated with a running user experience.

FIG. 22 illustrates another exemplary user interface of the present invention including performance information associated with a particular athletic course.

FIG. 23 illustrates another exemplary user interface of the present invention including performance information associated with a particular athletic course.

FIG. 24 illustrates yet another exemplary user interface of the present invention including performance information associated with a particular athletic course.

FIG. 25 illustrates a sports equipment according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 illustrates an exploded view of one of the exemplary sports equipment shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 illustrates a conveyor belt associated with the exemplary sports equipment shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 illustrates one of the slats associated with the example sports equipment shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 29 illustrates another view of the example sports equipment shown in FIG. 25 including one or more sensors and one or more controls.

FIG. 30 illustrates a control architecture associated with the example sports equipment shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 31 illustrates an exploded view of a rotation control associated with the exemplary sports equipment shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 32 illustrates another view of the exemplary sports equipment shown in FIG. 25 including a first rotation control and a second rotation control.

FIG. 33 illustrates an exploded view of a substantially linear control associated with the example sports equipment shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 34 illustrates another view of the example sports equipment shown in FIG. 25 including a first substantially linear control and a second substantially linear control.

FIG. 35 illustrates a portion of the example sports equipment shown in FIG. 25 including a substantially linear control.

FIG. 36 provides an isometric view of an exemplary sports equipment according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 provides another isometric view of the exemplary sports equipment shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 38 provides a top view of one of the exemplary sports equipment shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 39 provides an isometric view of an exemplary rotation control associated with the sports equipment shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 40 provides an exploded view of one of the exemplary rotation controls shown in FIG. 39.

FIG. 41 provides an isometric view of one of the other controls associated with the sports equipment shown in FIG. 36.

Figure 42 provides an exploded view of another exemplary rotation control of the present invention.

Claims (20)

A treadmill comprising: A base including a continuous track; and a plurality of slats fixedly connected to the track; A first pillar extending from the base; A second post that extends from the base opposite to the first post; A first arm supported by the first post and including a first rotation control member; and A second arm, which is opposite to the first arm and supported by the second column, the second arm includes a second rotation control member independent of the first rotation control member, wherein the first rotation control member is Configured to control a first function of the treadmill, and the second rotation control is configured to control a second function of the treadmill which is different from the first function. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first cross bar extending from the first arm to one of the second arms, and an opposite side of the first cross bar extending from the first arm to the second arm A second crossbar includes a third control configured to stop the rotation of the track. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the first function includes a rotation speed of the track, and the second function includes a slope of the bottom platform relative to a supporting surface on which the treadmill is disposed. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the first rotation control member includes an outer portion rotatable about a central axis of the first rotation control member and rotated relative to the first arm. If the treadmill of claim 4, wherein the first rotation control member further includes an input device independent of the outer part, the input device is configured to control the treadmill different from the first function and the second function One of the third functions. The treadmill of claim 4, wherein the outer portion is configured to contact at least one detent during rotation of the outer portion about the center axis, the at least one detent configured to at least partially limit the outer portion from surrounding Rotation of the central axis. As in the treadmill of claim 1, wherein the first rotation control member includes an indicator, and wherein rotation of an outer portion of the first rotation control member generates commensurate temporary lighting of at least part of the indicator. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first rotation control element comprises: A first component configured to provide a tactile feedback to a user when a user of the treadmill rotates the first rotation control relative to the first arm, and A second component that is different from the first component and configured to provide the user with visible feedback when the user rotates the first rotation control relative to the first arm. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the first rotation control member includes a carrier, a printed circuit board rotatably connected to an outer part of the carrier, and a printed circuit board connected to the carrier, and wherein the outer part is opposite to the carrier The rotation causes a component of the printed circuit board to transmit a corresponding first signal to a controller of the treadmill. If the treadmill of claim 9, wherein the first rotation control further comprises an internal part including an input device, the input device is configured to receive an input, and receiving the input will cause the printed circuit board to The component transmits a corresponding second signal to the controller. A treadmill comprising: A controller A first motor operatively connected to the controller; A second motor that is independent of the first motor and operatively connected to the controller; A first rotation control member operatively connected to the controller; and A second rotation control member that is independent of the first rotation control member and operatively connected to the controller, wherein the first rotation control member is configured to control the treadmill associated with the first motor. A first function, and the second rotation control is configured to control a second function of the treadmill associated with the second motor, the second function being different from the first function. The treadmill of claim 11, wherein the first function includes a rotation speed of a continuous track of the treadmill, and the second function includes a base of the treadmill relative to a supporting surface on which the treadmill is disposed. One slope. The treadmill of claim 11, wherein the first rotation control member includes a first outer portion rotatable about a central axis of the first rotation control member, and the second rotation control member includes a second rotation control A central axis of the control member rotates a second outer portion. If the treadmill of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first rotation control member or the second rotation control member includes an input device, the input device is operatively connected to the controller and configured to control and A third function of the treadmill which is different from the first function and the second function. The treadmill of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first rotation control member or the second rotation control member includes an indicator, and wherein the first rotation control member or the second rotation control member is Rotation of at least one of them produces commensurate temporary lighting of at least part of the indicator. If the treadmill of claim 11, further comprising a third control member independent of the first rotation control member and the second rotation control member, the third control member is operatively connected to the controller and is configured To stop the rotation of one continuous track of the treadmill. A method of manufacturing a treadmill, comprising: An upper assembly is provided. The upper assembly includes a first arm, a second arm opposite to the first arm, a first crossbar extending from the first arm to one of the second arms, and A cross bar is opposite and extends from the first arm to a second cross bar of the second arm; Connecting a first rotation control member to the first arm, the first rotation control member includes an outer portion rotatable relative to the first arm and an inner portion including an input device; Connecting a second rotation control member to the second arm, the second rotation control member including an outer portion rotatable relative to the second arm; and The first rotation control and the second rotation control are operatively connected to a controller of the treadmill, wherein the first rotation control is configured to control one of the treadmill via the controller. A function, and the second rotation control is configured to control a second function of the treadmill different from the first function via the controller. The method of claim 17, further comprising connecting a third control member to the first crossbar, wherein The third control member is operatively 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. The method of claim 17, wherein The outer portion of the first control member is rotatable relative to the inner portion of the first control member around a central axis of the first control member, The first control member further includes an indicator configured to cause rotation of the outer portion of the first control member to produce 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 which is different from the first function and the second function. The method of claim 19, wherein the first control member further comprises at least one detent configured to rotate a user of the treadmill relative to the central axis of the first control member The outer portion provides tactile feedback to the user.