TWI787428B - 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

Movement system and method

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

Humans are inherently competitive, striving to improve their performance, whether compared to their own previous achievements or compared to others. Humans are also drawn to games and other recreational activities, so that even tasks that a person may find difficult or tiresome can become attractive if different game elements are introduced. 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 activity.

While some existing sports equipment incorporates entertainment features, such as video displays that present content or performance data to the user while the user is exercising, these systems lack the ability to allow the user to actually enter a competition or game scene (which would improve user experience). The ability of both the experience and achievements of the student. These systems also lack the ability to facilitate 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 trainers to lead the participants to perform a variety of exercise classes, such as aerobics classes, yoga classes or other classes. However, these course-based experiences are only available at certain times and locations. Consequently, such class-based experiences are not available to many potential users, are often prohibitively expensive, and often sell out, making it impossible for users to book a class even at a location with easy access to a gym. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention address these issues by providing exercise equipment embodied as an exemplary treadmill incorporating features for live streaming or archived instructional content, social networking Audio and video chat, multimedia input and output for web-based performance measurement and competition capabilities, and a host of gamification features.

In an exemplary embodiment of the 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 column extending from the base; a second column extending from the base opposite the first column; and a first arm supported by the first column And it includes a first rotary control part. 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 independent of 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.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a treadmill includes: a controller; a first motor operatively connected to the controller; a second motor independent of the first motor and capable of operatively connected to the controller; a first rotary control operatively connected to the controller; and a second rotary control independent of the first rotary control and operatively connected to the control device. In this embodiment, the first rotary control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill associated with the first motor. Additionally, the second rotary control is configured to control a second function of the treadmill associated with the second motor, the second function being different from the first function.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a treadmill includes providing an upper assembly including a first arm, a second arm opposite the first arm, a A first cross bar extending from the first arm to the second arm and a second cross bar opposite to the first cross bar and extending from the first arm to the second arm. The method also includes connecting a first rotary control to the first arm, the first rotary control including an outer portion rotatable relative to the first arm and an inner portion including an input device. The method further includes connecting a second rotary control to the second arm, the second rotary control including an outer portion rotatable relative to the second arm. The method also includes operably connecting the first rotary control and the second rotary control to a controller of the treadmill. The first rotary control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill via the controller, and the second rotary control is configured to control the first function different from the first function via the controller One of the second functions of the treadmill.

Cross References to Related Applications

This Taiwan application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 15/863,596 filed on January 5, 2018, which is U.S. Application No. 15/863,596 filed on August 25, 2017 A continuation-in-part of 15/686,875, U.S. Application No. 15/686,875 asserts the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/380,412, filed 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 example embodiments set forth herein. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. Descriptions of specific embodiments or applications are provided as examples only. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the broadest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include networked exercise systems and methods whereby one or more exercise devices such as treadmills, rowing machines, stationary bikes, elliptical machines, or any other suitable equipment can be equipped with A user can fully participate in an associated local system of a live coach-led or recorded exercise session from any location with access to a suitable communication network. Network-linked motion systems and methods may include back-end systems that include but are not limited to servers, digital storage systems and other hardware and software to manage all processing, communication, database and other functions. Network-connected exercise systems and methods may also include one or more studios or other recording locations with cameras, microphones, and audio and/or visual outputs, where one or more trainers may lead exercise sessions, and where In some embodiments, live athletic sessions may be conducted, and such live and previously recorded sessions may be distributed via communication networks. In various embodiments, there may be a plurality of recorded 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 remote or co-located, the coach may be able to interact with the user, the user may be able to interact with the coach, and the user may be able to 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, or express opinions on different choices or options , and communicate about their experiences. These exemplary exercise systems and equipment allow for interaction through all media including one or more video channels, audio including voice and/or music, and a full range of performance data, demographics, chat, voice and Text-based communications and other communications information.

In various embodiments, the exercise systems and equipment described herein also allow an unlimited number of remote users to simultaneously view and participate in the same live or recorded content, and in various embodiments, users may be able to view the same content as Some or all of the other users of the . Remote users can participate in live exercise sessions provided from any location where remote recording is available, or remote users can access previously recorded sessions archived in a 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 Topic information and correspondence.

Accordingly, the networked exercise systems and equipment and corresponding methods described herein provide for content creation, content management and distribution, and content consumption. Various aspects of these exercise systems and devices, as well as possible interactions between such devices, will now be described in more detail. Sports Equipment

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-7 and 25-41, in various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the head-end system 100 may include an exercise machine 102, such as a treadmill, having integrated or integrated Digital hardware is connected, including one or more displays 104 for use with a trainer-led exercise session and/or for displaying other digital content. While exercise equipment 102 may be described and/or otherwise referred to herein as a "treadmill 102," as described above, exemplary exercise equipment of the present invention may be any suitable type of exercise equipment, including a rowing machine , stationary bicycles, elliptical machines, step treadmills, etc.

In various exemplary embodiments, one or more displays 104 may be mounted directly to athletic equipment 102 or otherwise placed within a user's 106 field of view. In various exemplary embodiments, one or more displays 104 allow user 106 to view information related to a selected exercise session while exercising on exercise equipment 102 and while exercising at one or more locations near or adjacent to exercise equipment 102 . the content. The athletic 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 athletic equipment 102 or exercising near or adjacent to the athletic equipment 102). shaft, bracket or other suitable mechanism.

In an exemplary embodiment, athletic equipment 102 may generally include a lower assembly 108 and an upper assembly 110 connected to lower assembly 108 . Lower assembly 108 may generally include a base 112 of athletic equipment 102 that provides support for user 106 while exercising on athletic equipment 102 (e.g., a running surface) and provides support for lower assembly 108. and other components of the upper assembly 110 provide support. For example, as shown in at least the exploded view of FIG. 26 , base 112 can support a first motor 114 of athletic equipment 102 that is configured relative to a support surface on which athletic equipment 102 is positioned. Instead, increase, lower, and/or otherwise change base 112, a frame of base 112, and/or a slope of the running surface. Base 112 may also include one or more tilting frames 116 coupled to motor 114 and configured to rise, for example, by acting on a support surface when motor 114 is activated and lowering the platform 112 , the frame of the platform 112 and/or the running surface of the platform 112 . The base 112 may also include a second motor 118 configured to increase, decrease, and/or otherwise vary the rotational speed of a conveyor belt 120 connected to the base 112 . The conveyor belt 120 is rotatable relative to at least a portion of the base 112 and, in particular, can be configured to revolve completely around (i.e., wrap around) at least a portion of the base 112 during use of the athletic equipment 102 or Move in other ways. For example, in embodiments where exercise equipment 102 includes a treadmill, conveyor belt 120 may support user 106 and loop repeatedly while user 106 is running, walking, and/or otherwise exercising on the treadmill. At least part of a frame of the base 112 . Such an exemplary conveyor belt 120 may include one or more continuous tracks 122 movably coupled to gears, flywheels, pulleys, and/or other components 124 of the base 112, and such components 124 Can be coupled to an output shaft of the motor 118 or other components. In these examples, rotation of an output shaft or other component of motor 118 may drive a commensurate rotation of component 124 . Likewise, rotation of member 124 may drive commensurate rotation of one or more continuous tracks 122 and/or conveyor belt 120 in general.

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 . Additionally, each slat 126 may be hingedly, pivotally, and/or otherwise movably coupled to one or more continuous rails 122 via one or more respective couplings 140 . For example, the couplings 140 may include a bracket, pin, screw, clip, bolt, and/or one or more other fastening components configured to secure a respective slat 126 to The continuous track 122 also allows the slats 126 to pivot, rotate and/or otherwise move relative to the track 122 as the conveyor belt 120 orbits around the base 112 . As shown in at least FIG. 28, each slat 126 may also include a top pad 142 coupled thereto. Top pad 142 may comprise a plastic, rubber, polymer, and/or other type of non-slip pad configured to reduce and and/or virtually eliminate user 106 slippage. Such a top pad 142 can also reduce the impact associated with walking and/or running on the athletic equipment 102 and thus can improve the comfort of the user 106 during various exercise sessions associated with the athletic equipment 102 .

With continued reference to FIG. 26 , the athletic equipment 102 may also include one or more side walls 128 attached to the base 112 . For example, exercise equipment 102 can include a first side wall 128 on the left-hand side of base 112 and a second side wall 128 on the right-hand side of base 112, and these side walls 128 can be made of cloth, foam, plastic, rubber , polymers, and/or other similar materials, and in some examples, sidewalls 128 can help dampen and/or otherwise reduce the Noise from other components.

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

As noted above, athletic equipment 102 may also include a hinge to allow adjustment of the position or orientation of display 104 relative to user 106 (whether the user is using athletic equipment 102 or exercising near or adjacent to athletic equipment 102) , joints, pivots, brackets 138 and/or other suitable mechanisms. For example, the brackets 138 may comprise at least one component rigidly connected to the crossbar 132 . The 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 can move with the display 104 relative to the components of the bracket 138 connected to the cross bar 132 . Such components may include one or more dovetail slider mechanisms, channels, and/or other components that enable the display 104 to controllably slide and/or otherwise move relative to the crossbar 132 . These components also enable the user 106 to fix the position of the display 104 relative to the cross bar 132 once the user 106 has positioned the display 104 as desired.

As shown in at least FIG. 29 , athletic equipment 102 may also include one or more rotary controls 144 , 146 configured to receive input from user 106 . Athletic equipment 102 may further include one or more sensors 147 configured to allow user 106 to use athletic equipment 102 before, during, and/or during an exercise session One or more performance parameters of the user 106 are then sensed, detected, and/or otherwise determined. In any of the examples set forth herein, the rotary controls 144, 146 and the one or more sensors 147 can be operably and/or otherwise connected to one or more controls of the athletic equipment 102. processor, processor and/or other digital hardware 148.

Digital hardware 148 associated with athletic equipment 102 may be connected to or integrated with athletic equipment 102 , or digital hardware 148 may be located remotely and connected to athletic equipment 102 by wire or wirelessly. Digital hardware 148 may include digital storage devices, one or more processors or other similar computers or controllers, communications hardware, software, and/or one or more media input/output devices, such as displays, cameras, microphones, keyboards , touch screen, headphones and/or audio speakers. In various exemplary embodiments, these components may be connected to and/or otherwise integrated with athletic equipment 102 . All communications between or among such components of digital hardware 148 may be multi-channel, multi-directional, and wireless or wired using any suitable protocol or technique. In various exemplary embodiments, the digital hardware 148 of the athletic equipment 102 may include associated mobile and web-based applications that provide the user with information from local or remote athletic equipment, processors, controllers, etc. , personal computer, laptop, mobile device or any other digital device or digital hardware access to account, grades 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 athletic equipment 102 are operable to execute control logic 150 associated with athletic equipment 102 Associate one or more functions. Such control logic 150 is illustrated schematically in at least FIG. 30 , and such control logic 150 may include one or more rules, programs, or other instructions stored in a memory of digital hardware 148 . For example, one or more processors included in digital hardware 148 may be programmed to perform operations in accordance with rules, programs, or other instructions of control logic 150, and such processors may also be programmed to operate in accordance with And/or performing one or more additional operations at least in part in response to input received via one or more of the rotary controls 144 , 146 and/or via one or more of the sensors 147 .

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32 , one or more of such rotary controls 144 , 146 may include an infinite wheel-type control 144 . Such a rotary control 144 can be used to change and/or otherwise control (for example) the slope, decline and/or other position of the base 112 relative to the support surface on which the sporting equipment 102 is placed, the speed of the conveyor belt 120 ( For example, the rotational speed 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 selection of one or more exercise sessions to be played via the display 104, A change in one or more modes of operation of athletic equipment 102 and/or other functions of athletic equipment 102 . In an exemplary embodiment, such a rotary control 144 can include an outer portion 152 (eg, a rotary dial, knob, button, or other component) that can be positioned relative to the post 130, crossbar 132, and/or The other components of the exercise machine 102 to which the rotary control 144 is connected are rotated. The rotary control 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 (e.g., an encoder or other component connected to and/or associated with the frame 154) can include a desired progressive pattern that can be tuned to achieve a corresponding functionality of the athletic equipment 102. Alter one or more detents or other components/structures. For example, frame 154 may be configured such that each detent thereof may be associated with a 0.5% increase or decrease in the tilt angle of base 112 . Alternatively, frame 154 may be configured such that each detent thereof may be associated with a 0.1 mph increase or decrease in the speed of one of the continuous track 122 and/or other components of conveyor belt 120 . In yet other examples, percentages, speeds and/or other increments greater or less than those described above may be selected. Additionally, one or more of such rotary controls 144, 146 may include one or more additional buttons, wheels, touchpads, levers, knobs, capacitive sensing configured to receive additional input from the user 106. switches, or other input devices, and these additional input devices can provide user 106 with finer control over the corresponding functionality of athletic equipment 102 . One or more of such rotary controls 144, 146 may also include a respective mount 156 configured to facilitate attachment of the rotary controls 144, 146 to the column 130, crossbar 132, and/or exercise equipment 102 other components.

As shown in FIGS. 33-35 , in yet other embodiments, one or more of the infinite wheel-type rotary controls 144 , 146 , 526 , 528 described herein may be replaced by a capacitive slider-type control. And/or other substantially linear control members 158 are replaced. These controls 158 may include one or more touchpads, buttons, joysticks, and/or other components 160 configured to receive a touch, tap, push, and/or other input from the user 106, 162, 166. These components 160 , 162 , 166 may be respective touch and/or tactile switches operatively connected to the control 158 mounted to a printed circuit board 170 of the control 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 athletic equipment 102 148. Control 158 may also include one or more additional touch pads 164 having a substantially linear configuration. The touchpads 164 may also be configured to receive touches, taps, pushes, and/or other inputs from the user 106 . Additionally, touchpad 164 may be operatively connected to a respective capacitive trace 172 of control 158 mounted to printed circuit board 170 . In such examples, capacitive trace 172 may be configured to generate signals indicative of inputs received via touchpad 164 and to direct these signals to a processor and/or other devices associated with athletic equipment 102. Digital Hardware148. 34 illustrates a first substantially linear control 158 disposed on the right-hand side of the crossbar 132 and a second substantially linear control 174 disposed on the left-hand side of the crossbar 132 opposite the control 158 . In any of the examples set forth herein, one or more of components 160 , 162 , 166 are operable to control and/or change the mode of operation of athletic equipment 102 . Additionally, in any of the examples set forth herein, one or more of the infinite wheel-type rotary controls 144, 146, 526, 528 and/or one or more of the substantially linear controls 158, 174 or Multiples may include light emitting diodes and/or other lighting that indicate an operational change that has occurred as a result of the respective controls. As shown in FIG. 33 , the control member 158 also includes a printed circuit board 170 to which the components 160 , 162 , 166 , and the touch pad 164 may be connected.

Continuing to refer to at least FIG. 29 , in various exemplary embodiments, the sensor 147 of the athletic equipment 102 can be configured to sense, detect, measure, and/or otherwise determine, instantaneously and/or over time, A series of performance measures for both the athletic equipment 102 and the user 106 . For example, athletic equipment 102 may include one or more sensors 147 that measure the slope of base 112 , the speed of conveyor belt 120 , the load applied to base 112 , conveyor belt 120 , motor 114 , one or more of 118 and/or a load of other components of the exercise equipment 102, the amount of energy expended by the user 106, the power output of the exercise equipment 102, the user's weight, steps, distance, total The amount of work, repetitions, 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 exercise equipment 102, and any other suitable activity associated with, for example, a treadmill achievement measure. The athletic equipment 102 may also include sensors 147 to measure a user's heart rate, respiration, hydration, calories burned, or any other measure of bodily performance, or receive such information from sensors provided by the user 106 . Where appropriate, such performance measures may be calculated over time as current/instantaneous values, maximum, minimum, average or total values, or calculated using any other statistical analysis. Trends can also be determined, stored and displayed to the user, coach and/or other users. These sensors 147 may communicate with the memory and/or processor of digital hardware 148 associated with athletic equipment 102 either nearby or at a remote location using wired or wireless connections.

In various exemplary embodiments, athletic equipment 102 may also be provided with one or more indicators to provide information to 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 the timing for performing an exercise , start or stop time, or other information indicators. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6 , such indicators (e.g., lights or projected displays) may display information about the movement performed by the user 106 at a location that is visible to the user 106 during performance of the relevant movement. Information about the number of sets and repetitions.

36-38 illustrate an exemplary exercise machine 500 (eg, a "treadmill" 500 ) according to another embodiment of the invention. Various components of the example athletic equipment 500 may be substantially similar and/or identical to corresponding components of the athletic equipment 102 described herein, and in some instances, like item numbers will be used below to describe like parts. For example, as shown in FIGS. 36-38 , an exercise equipment 500 may include a display 104, a base 112, a crossbar 132, a bracket 138 connecting the display 104 to the crossbar 132, a controller and/or other digital hardware 148 and/or other components, and these components may be similar and/or identical to corresponding components of the athletic equipment 102 described above with similar item numbers. Additionally, similar to the upper assembly 110 described above, an upper assembly 110 of athletic equipment 500 may include a first column 130a connected to and/or extending from the base 112 and connected to the first column 130a. Oppositely connected to the base 112 and/or a second column 130b extending from the base 112 .

The upper assembly 110 of the athletic equipment 500 may also include an end cap 502a attached to or integrally formed with the post 130a and an end cap 502b attached to or integrally formed with the post 130b. In such examples, the end caps 502a, 502b can be configured to connect the arms 504a, 504b of the upper assembly 110 to the corresponding posts 130a, 130b. For example, end cap 502a can connect arm 504a to post 130a such that arm 504a is at least partially supported by post 130a, and end cap 502b can connect arm 504b to post 130b such that arm 504b is at least partially supported by post 130b . It should be understood that, in some examples, end cap 502a may be connected to or integrally formed with arm 504a and end cap 502b may be connected to or integrally formed with arm 504b. In some examples, the end caps 502a, 502b can be substantially similar and/or identical to the bracket 134 described above with respect to FIG. 26 . In such examples, the end caps 502a, 502b can include one or more additional components (eg, caps) substantially similar and/or identical to the end cap 136 described above.

Additionally, in any of the examples set forth herein, upper assembly 110 may include one or more crossbars extending from arm 504a to arm 504b. For example, the crossbar 132 described above can include a crossbar 506 (e.g., a first crossbar 506) extending from arm 504a to arm 504b and a crossbar 506 opposite the crossbar 506 and extending from arm 504a to arm 504b. A crossbar 514 of 504b (eg, a second crossbar 514). In these examples, one or both of crossbars 506, 514, one or both of arms 504a, 504b, one or both of end caps 502a, 502b, and/or one or both of athletic equipment 500 Other components may include handles, armrests, and/or other components configured to at least partially The user 106 is supported.

Columns 130a, 130b, end caps 502a, 502b, arms 504a, 504b, crossbars 506, 514, and/or other components of exercise equipment 500 may be made of steel, aluminum, cast iron, and/or any other metal, polymer, alloy, or other material and such materials may be similar and/or identical to those described above with respect to one or more components of the base 112 . Additionally, in certain 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, one or more such components may be integrally formed and/or may otherwise have a one-piece construction, on the other hand. For example, at least arm 504a, arm 504b, and crossbar 506 may have a one-piece construction. In such examples, crossbar 514 may be welded, brazed, forged, cast, and/or otherwise connected to arms 504a, 504b. In other examples, at least arm 504a, arm 504b, crossbar 506, and crossbar 514 may be integrally formed and/or may otherwise have a one-piece construction. In other embodiments, the end cap 502a may be forged, cast, and/or otherwise integrally formed with the post 130a or the arm 504a. Likewise, in other embodiments, end cap 502b may be forged, cast, and/or otherwise integrally formed with post 130b or arm 504b.

36-38, exercise equipment 500 may also include one or more controls associated with upper assembly 110, and one or more such controls may be connected to arm 504a, arm 504b, crossbar 506 and/or crossbar 514. For example, athletic equipment 500 may include a control 516 connected to crossbar 514, crossbar 506, arm 504a, or arm 504b. For example, such a control 516 may include one or more magnetic connectors 518 configured to receive the user 106 while walking and/or running on the exercise equipment 500 One of the emergency stop switches, clips, cords, conveyor belts and/or other devices worn by 106. For example, while user 106 is walking or running on athletic equipment 500, user 106 may use a An emergency stop device (not shown) is otherwise worn by the user 106 . Such an emergency stop device may comprise a cord of a given length and a magnetic clip or other component placed at the end of the cord. The magnetic clip at the end of the cord may be disposed on and/or at least partially within the magnetic connector 518 of the control 516 during use of the athletic equipment 500 . In such examples, the athletic equipment 500 can be configured so that the conveyor belt 120 of the base 112 can be disposed on and/or at least partially within the magnetic connector 518 only at the magnetic clip at the end of the cord. when rotated. Additionally, removal of the magnetic clip from magnetic connector 518 may cause conveyor belt 120 to stop. In these examples, magnetic connector 518 together with such a magnetic clip worn by user 106 may constitute an emergency stop device for athletic equipment 500 . For example, causing the conveyor belt 120 to stop at least partially in response to removing the magnetic clip from the magnetic connector 518 may be when the user 106 is located greater than a desired distance from the crossbar 514 (e.g., greater than the length of 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 described herein, the controls 516 may also include one or more input devices 520 configured to receive input from the user during use of the athletic equipment 500. One of 106 is input. In these examples, one or more such input devices 520 may include a button, wheel, touchpad, joystick, knob, capacitive sensor, switch configured to receive an input from the user 106 or other components, and these input devices 520 may be configured to control and/or may enable the user 106 to control a corresponding function of the exercise equipment 500 .

As shown in FIGS. 36-38 , in some examples, athletic equipment 500 may also include one or more trays 522 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 exercise equipment 500 . In some examples, tray 522 can be fixedly connected to at least one of crossbar 506 , arm 504a , arm 504b , or crossbar 514 . In other examples, tray 522 may, on the other hand, be removably attachable to one or more such components of athletic equipment 500 . For example, tray 522 may be at least partially seated within a gap 524 that separates crossbar 506 from crossbar 514 . In such examples, at least one of the crossbar 506, arm 504a, arm 504b, or crossbar 514 can include a ridge, lug, shelf, lip, flange, extension, clip, and/or Other structures configured to at least partially support tray 522 when tray 522 is at least partially seated within gap 524 .

The exercise equipment 500 may also include one or more rotary controls 526, 528 configured to control respective functions of the exercise equipment 500 and/or the motor 114, 114, One or more of 118. These rotary controls 526, 528 may be substantially similar and/or identical to one or more of the rotary controls 144, 146 described above with respect to FIGS. One or more of , 528 may be configured to control similar and/or identical functions of exercise equipment 500 and/or one or more of motors 114 , 118 described above with respect to rotary controls 144 , 146 . As shown in at least FIG. 36, arm 504a may include a rotational control 526 attached thereto, and arm 504b may include a rotational control 528 attached thereto. In such examples, rotational control 526 may be independent of rotational control 528 . In addition, the rotary control 526 can be configured to control a first function of the exercise equipment 500, and the rotary control 528 can be configured to control a second function of the exercise equipment 500, which is different from the rotary control. Item 526 is associated with the first function. In some examples, the first function of athletic equipment 500 may include a first function and/or operation of one of motors 114 , 118 . Similarly, the second function of the athletic equipment 500 may include a second function and/or operation of the other of the motors 114 , 118 . In additional examples, one or both of the rotary controls 528 may be configured to control athletic equipment associated with the display 104, digital hardware 148, and/or other components of the athletic equipment other than the motors 114, 118. 500 different functions. Additionally, in other examples, one or both of rotational controls 526 , 528 may be disposed on crossbar 514 , crossbar 506 , and/or other portions of athletic equipment 500 . Additionally, one or both of rotational controls 526, 528 may be disposed on arm 504a, arm 504b, post 130a, or post 130b.

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

As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40 , the rotary control 528 can include an outer portion 530 , and the outer portion 530 can include a base 532 and a top 534 . In such examples, outer portion 530 may be substantially similar and/or identical to outer portion 152 described above with respect to FIG. 31 . The top 534 of the outer portion 530 may comprise a substantially cylindrical, substantially semicircular, or substantially dome-shaped housing of the rotary control member 528 . Additionally, base 532 may include a substantially cylindrical stem extending from top 534, a housing, and/or other such structures. Outer portion 530 may comprise a substantially one-piece component of rotational control 528 , and in such examples, base 532 may be integrally formed with top 534 . Alternatively, base 532 may be molded, brazed, heat-sealed, clamped, press-fit, and/or otherwise connected to top 534 . In some examples, the rotational control 528 can include a central axis (eg, a central longitudinal axis) 536 extending substantially centrally through the outer portion 530 . In such examples, at least a portion of rotational control 528 is rotatable about central axis 536 . For example, the outer portion (eg, top 534 and/or base 532 ) can rotate about central axis 536 during use. It should be understood that in some examples at least the outer portion 530 is rotatable about the central axis 536 relative to the arm 504b to which the rotation control 528 is connected. Additionally, the outer portion 530 may include one or more ridges, dimples, indentations, grooves, protrusions, patterns, and/or other grips 538 . For example, one or more such grips 538 may be disposed on and/or formed by top 534 to assist user 106 in rotating outer portion 530 about central axis 536 . FIG. 39 illustrates a first example configuration of the grips 538 , while FIG. 40 illustrates a second example configuration of the grips 538 . It should be understood that the grip 538 is not limited to the configurations illustrated in FIG. 39 or FIG. Any other shape, size, orientation, or other configuration useful in terms of the ability of the

In some examples, the rotary control 528 may also include tactile, audible, visual, or visual signals configured to provide the user 106 with a rotation of at least a portion of the rotary control 528 relative to the arm 504b to which the rotary control 528 is connected. and/or other contributions to one or more components. In any exemplary embodiment of the invention, two or more such components of rotary control 528 may provide feedback to user 106 substantially simultaneously during use of athletic equipment 500 . In such examples, feedback received from two or more such components of rotary control 528 at substantially the same time may indicate the same operational characteristic of rotary control 528 (e.g., outer portion 530 has been rotated by user 106 one degree).

For example, rotary control 528 may include a first component configured to provide user 106 with visible feedback as user 106 rotates outer portion 530 and/or other portions of rotary control 528 about central axis 536 . In such examples, such a first component can include an indicator 540 disposed on, connected to, and/or otherwise associated with the top 534 . In other embodiments, on the other hand, the indicator 540 can be positioned radially inward from the top 534 . Indicator number 540 may include, for example, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or other light sources disposed around or near a perimeter of top 534 . In such examples, indicator 540 may be configured such that rotation of rotary control 528 produces commensurate temporary illumination of at least a portion of indicator 540 . For example, indicator 540 may be configured such that rotation of top portion 534 about central axis 536 may cause commensurate temporary illumination of at least a portion of indicator 540, and the extent to which indicator 540 is illuminated may indicate that outer portion 530 has been illuminated by user 106. Degrees of rotation. In such examples, the rotary control 528 may have a zero or starting position. In such an embodiment, rotation of the outer portion 530 about the central axis 536 about the central axis 536 by, for example, about radial 90° clockwise or counterclockwise from the starting position may cause about a quarter of the indicator 540 to be illuminated. Similarly, rotation of outer portion 530 about central axis 536 about radially 180° clockwise or counterclockwise from a starting position, for example, may cause about half of indicator 540 to be illuminated. In other examples, rotation of outer portion 530 about central axis 536 by any desired radial degree may result in illumination of a corresponding portion of indicator 540 . This illumination may be associated with an increase or decrease in one of the angles of inclination of the platform 112 . Alternatively, this illumination may be associated with an increase or decrease in one of the speeds of the continuous track 122 and/or other components of the conveyor belt 120 . In any such examples, such lighting (eg, visual feedback) may indicate to user 106 the degree to which top 534 and/or other components of outer portion 530 have been rotated. In some examples, such lighting can include bouncing, flashing, color changing, substantially constant lighting, and/or other lighting modalities.

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

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

Additionally, in any of the examples set forth herein, the control software and/or digital hardware 148 set forth above can be configured such that rotation of the outer portion 530 about the central axis 536 can cause contact with the exercise equipment 500. Any desired effect associated. For example, although in some embodiments, rotation of the outer portion 530 in a forward direction (e.g., counterclockwise) can cause the motor 114 to increase the slope of the base 112 relative to a support surface on which the athletic equipment 500 is placed (e.g., raising the base), but in other examples, the control software and/or digital hardware 148 of the exercise machine 500 may be programmed and/or otherwise configured so that the outer portion 530 moves along a rearward direction (e.g., , clockwise) can cause the motor 114 to increase the slope of the base 112 relative to the support surface. Additionally, while in some embodiments, rotation of the outer portion 530 in a forward direction (eg, counterclockwise) may cause the motor 118 to increase the rotational speed of the conveyor belt 120, in other examples, the control software of the exercise equipment 500 And/or digital hardware 148 may be programmed and/or otherwise configured such that rotation of outer portion 530 in a rearward (eg, clockwise) direction may cause motor 118 to increase the rotational speed of conveyor belt 120 .

Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment, the control software and/or digital hardware 148 of the athletic equipment 500 may be programmed and/or otherwise configured such that rotation of the outer portion 530 may control the display 104 or the connection between the equipment 500 and The motors 114, 118 differ from one or more functions of the other components. For example, control software and/or digital hardware 148 of athletic equipment 500 may be programmed and/or otherwise configured such that rotation of outer portion 530 in a forward or backward direction causes display 104 to display a button, icons, controls, text or other content. In other examples, rotation of the outer portion 530 in a forward or backward direction to a zero position of the rotary control 528 can cause the display 104, control software, and/or digital hardware 148 of the athletic equipment 500 to pause what is currently playing or playing on the display 104. One of the exercise classes is being displayed. In additional examples, rotation of outer portion 530 may cause a beep, chirp, and/or other audible tone to be emitted from one or more speakers of athletic equipment 500 . In some examples, control software and/or digital hardware 148 of athletic equipment 500 may cause one or more speakers to emit an audible tone whenever outer portion 530 interfaces with detent 555 of frame 554 . Such an audible tone may include other indicia (eg, audible indicia) indicating rotation of the rotary control 528 .

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

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

The rotary control 528 may further include one or more input devices 546 . For example, rotary control 528 may include an input device 546 disposed substantially centrally relative to plate 544 . In some examples, input device 546 may be disposed on and/or otherwise connected to board 544 . In such examples, top 534 and/or other components of outer portion 530 may rotate relative to input device 546 . Input device 546 may include one or more buttons, wheels, touch pads, levers, knobs, capacitive sensors, switches, or other components configured to receive input from user 106, and in such examples In other words, the input received via the input device 546 may be different and/or independent of the rotational input received from the user 106 via the top 534 . In such examples, the input device 546 can be configured to control one or more functions of the exercise equipment 500 that are different from and/or independent of the functions of the exercise equipment 500 that are controlled via the rotation of the top 534. Function. For example, rotation of the top 534 and/or other components of the outer portion 530 of the rotary control 528 may enable the user 106 to control the speed of rotation of the conveyor belt 120, a position of the base 112, and/or the exercise equipment 500 In an embodiment of other functions, input received via the input device 546 may control one or more additional functions of the exercise equipment 500 that are different from the rotational speed of the conveyor belt 120, the position of the base 112, etc. . For example, in these embodiments, receiving an input via input device 546 may cause carousel 120 to start rotating, may cause carousel 120 to stop rotating, may enable selection of one or more exercise classes, may enable exercise equipment 500 Selection of one or more modes of operation, and/or control of various other functions of exercise equipment 500 may be achieved.

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

As noted above, the rotary control 528 may include a carrier 552 that includes one or more detents 555 . In such examples, the carrier 552 can include a substantially rigid frame 554, and one or more of the detents 555 described above can be disposed on an annular outer or inner surface of the frame 554 and/or by means of the frame 554. Formed on one of the annular outer or inner surfaces. In such examples, the outer portion 530 of the rotation control member 528 can 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 534 can be in contact with the carrier 552. One or more such detents 555 interface. Carrier 552 may also include a printed circuit board (PCB) 556 connected thereto. In such examples, PCB 556 may include one or more sensors (eg, Hall effect sensors, proximity sensors, optical sensors, etc.), switches, controllers, microprocessors, and/or other components configured to determine a position (e.g., a radial angle or position) of outer portion 530 relative to carrier 552 and provide one or more signals containing information indicative of such position to the motion A controller or other digital hardware 148 of equipment 500 . These components of PCB 556 may also be operatively connected to input device 546 of rotary control 528 . In these examples, the components of PCB 556 may also be configured to receive a signal from input device 546 indicative of one or more inputs received via input device 546, and may be configured to connect one or more Corresponding signals are provided to a controller or other digital hardware 148 .

For example, one or more components of PCB 556 may be configured to sense, detect, and/or otherwise determine rotation of outer portion 530 of rotary control 528 and the relative position of outer portion 530 to carrier 552 Rotation may cause one or more such components of PCB 556 to transmit a corresponding signal to controller or other digital hardware 148 . Upon receiving such a signal (e.g., a first signal), the controller or other digital hardware 148 rotates to cause a corresponding change in the rotational speed of the conveyor belt 120, the position of the base 112 (e.g., slope or decline). and/or other functional changes to exercise equipment 500. For example, any such function may include being controlled by, performed by, and/or otherwise associated with at least one of the motors 114, 118 The functions of the linked sports equipment 500. Similarly, receipt of one or more signals from input device 546 may cause one or more components of PCB 556 to transmit a corresponding signal to controller or other digital hardware 148 . Upon receipt of such a signal (e.g., a second signal), rotation of the controller or other digital hardware 148 may cause the carousel 120 to start rotating, may cause the carousel 120 to stop rotating, may cause selection of one or more exercise sessions, may cause One or more modes of operation of the athletic equipment 500 may be implemented, and/or control of various other functions of the athletic equipment 500 may be implemented. Similarly, any such function may include being controlled by, performed by, and/or otherwise associated with at least one of the motors 114, 118, for example. One is related to the function of the sports equipment 500 . As shown in FIG. 40 , in some examples, at least a portion of the rotary control 528 can be connected to a fixed mount 558 . For example, mount 558 may comprise a substantially rigid frame, housing, and/or other structure coupled to arm 504b and/or other components of exercise equipment 500 . In such examples, the mount 558 may be welded, brazed, screwed, screwed, clamped, and/or otherwise connected to the arm 504b so as to provide a substantial amount of rotation for the rotational control member 528 during use of the athletic equipment 500. Rigid fixed support. In some examples, the arm 504b can include one or more openings 562, and in such examples, at least a portion of the mount 558 can engage the opening 562, can be seated within the opening 562 when the mount 558 is connected to the arm 504b. And/or can pass through opening 562 . Alternatively, in additional embodiments, opening 562 may be omitted, and in such embodiments, mount 558 may be fixedly attached to an outer surface of arm 504b. The mount 558 may include one or more openings 560 extending at least partially therethrough. In some examples, the rotational control member 528 can be connected to the mount 558 such that the central axis 536 of the rotational control member 528 can pass substantially centrally through the opening 560 of the mount 558 .

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

FIG. 42 illustrates another example rotary control 600 of the present invention. It should be appreciated that in some examples, the rotary control 600 may be substantially similar and/or identical to the rotary control 528 described above. Alternatively, in some examples, rotary control 600 may be different than rotary control 528 and/or may include one or more components that are different from the respective components of rotary control 528 . It should be understood that the rotary control 600 may be used in conjunction with the rotary control 528 and/or included on the exercise equipment 500 with or instead of the rotary control 528, and unless otherwise stated, the rotary Any description of control 528 should also apply to rotary control 600 . Furthermore, any of the descriptions herein of the rotary control 600 shall also apply to the rotary control 528 unless otherwise stated. For example, one or more components of rotary control 528 may be substantially similar and/or identical to one or more corresponding components of rotary control 600 . Additionally, any of the descriptions herein of the rotary control 600 shall also apply to one or both of the rotary controls 144, 146 unless otherwise stated.

For example, as shown in FIG. 42 , rotary control 600 may include an outer portion 602 , and outer portion 602 may include a top 604 with one or more grips 606 . In such examples, the outer portion 602 , top 604 , and grip 606 of the rotary control 600 can be substantially similar and/or identical to the corresponding outer portion 530 , top 534 , and grip 538 of the rotary control 528 . For example, the top 604 of the outer portion 602 may comprise a substantially cylindrical, substantially semicircular, or substantially dome-shaped housing of the rotary control 600 . In some examples, rotary control 600 can include a central axis (eg, a central longitudinal axis) 605 extending substantially centrally through outer portion 602 . In such examples, at least a portion of rotational control 600 is rotatable about central axis 605 . For example, at least top 604 and/or other components of outer portion 602 may rotate about central axis 605 during use. It should be understood that in some examples at least the outer portion 602 can rotate about a central axis 605 relative to the arm 504b to which the rotary control 600 is connected, and that in such examples the central axis 605 can be substantially perpendicular to the direction of the arm 504b. An outer surface (eg, extends substantially perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of arm 504b, crossbar 514, and/or other components of athletic equipment 500). As shown in FIGS. 36-38 , the rotational control 528 (eg, the central axis 536 of the rotational control 528 ) can have a similar orientation relative to the arm 504b and/or other components of the athletic equipment 500 .

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

For example, rotary control 600 may include a first component configured to provide user 106 with visible feedback as user 106 rotates outer portion 602 and/or other portions of rotary control 600 about central axis 605 . In such examples, such a first component can include an indicator 608 disposed on, connected to, and/or otherwise associated with the top 604 . In other embodiments, on the other hand, the indicator 608 may be located radially inward from the top 534 . In some examples, indicator number 608 may be substantially similar and/or identical to indicator 540 and may include, for example, one or more light emitting diodes disposed around or near a perimeter of 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 configured to permit placement from close to the indicator 608 (e.g., between the arm 504b and the indicator 608 Visible light or other radiation from one or more LEDs in between) is delivered to a location remote from the indicator 608 (e.g., a location associated with the base 112, a location outside the outer portion 602, and/or optically on the indicator any other location downstream of device 608). For example, rotary control 600 may include a printed circuit board (PCB) 636 substantially similar and/or identical to PCB 556 described above with respect to rotary control 528 . In such examples, the PCB 636 can include one or more LEDs 638 disposed on, connected to, and/or at least partially embedded within a top surface 640 thereof that Positioned opposite and facing indicator 608 . 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 that The components are configured to determine a position (e.g., a radial angle or position) of the outer portion 602 relative to the PCB 636 and/or other fixed components of the rotary control 600 and will include one or more of information indicative of such a position. A number of signals are provided to a controller of athletic equipment 500 or other digital hardware 148 . These components of the PCB 556 can also be operably connected to the LED 638 and can be configured to control the operation of the LED based at least in part on the position of the outer portion 602, the rotational speed of the outer portion 602, and/or other information or parameters .

In any such examples, indicator 608 may be configured such that rotation of rotary control 600 produces commensurate temporary illumination of at least a portion of indicator 608 . For example, indicator 608 can be configured such that rotation of top 604 about central axis 605 can cause an indication in any manner substantially similar and/or identical to that described above with respect to indicator 540 of rotary control 528 Comparable temporary lighting of at least part of the device 608. In an exemplary embodiment, the degree 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, such illumination of indicator 608 may include bouncing, flashing, color changing, substantially constant illumination, and/or other illumination modalities.

Additionally, in some examples, rotation control 600 may include one or more components configured to provide user 106 with tactile feedback as user 106 rotates top 604 and/or other components of outer portion 602 about central axis 605. additional components. As shown in FIG. 42 , such an additional component may include an encoder 642 configured to at least partially limit rotation of outer portion 602 about central axis 605 . For example, encoder 642 may be disposed on, attached to, and/or at least partially embedded within top surface 640, and encoder 642 may include substantially similar and/or identical One or more of the detents 555 illustrated by the frame 554 and/or carrier 552 . For example, encoder 642 may include a base 644 fixedly connected to PCB 636 and a stem 646 extending from base 644 . In such examples, stem 646 may rotate relative to base 644, and base 644 or stem 646 may include portions configured to provide stem 646 with rotation of stem 646 relative to base 644 and/or top surface 640. Resistance to one or more detents. In such examples, outer portion 602 may be coupled to stem 646 such that one or more detents of stem 646 and/or base 644 may engage outer portion 602 as user 106 rotates outer portion 602 about central axis 605. Provide some resistance. It should be understood that in such examples, central axis 605 may pass substantially centrally through, for example, stem 646 and/or base 644 . In any of the examples described herein, and in substantially the same manner as detent 555 described above, one or more detents of encoder 642 can be positioned, sized, and/or Otherwise configured to coincide with a desired incremental change of a corresponding function of the athletic equipment 500. For example, in any of the examples set forth herein, the components of the PCB 636, the control software of the athletic equipment 500, and/or the digital hardware 148 set forth above may be configured such that the outer portion 602 surrounds Rotation of central axis 605 may cause any desired effect associated with athletic equipment 500 (generally, display 104, motors 114, 118, one or more speakers of athletic equipment 500, and/or other such components). The functions set forth above with respect to the rotary control 528 (e.g., changing the position of the base 112, changing the rotational speed of the conveyor belt 120, pausing the display of one or more exercise sessions on the display 104, causing an audible tone to be emitted etc.) may also be performed by and/or otherwise utilized by rotary control 600 in one of the ways substantially similar and/or identical to that described above with respect to rotary control 528 control.

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

The rotary control 600 may further include one or more input devices 614 substantially similar and/or identical to the input device 546 described above with respect to the rotary control 528 . For example, rotary control 600 may include an input device 614 disposed substantially centrally relative to plate 612 . In some examples, input device 614 may be disposed on and/or otherwise connected to board 612 . In such examples, top 604 and/or other components of outer portion 602 may rotate relative to input device 614 . Similar to input device 546, input device 614 may include one or more buttons, wheels, touchpads, levers, knobs, capacitive sensors, switches, or other components configured to receive input from user 106, And in such examples, the input received via the input device 614 may be different and/or independent of the rotational input received from the user 106 via the top 604 . In such examples, the input device 614 can be configured to control one or more functions of the exercise equipment 500 that are different from and/or independent of the functions of the exercise equipment 500 that are controlled via the rotation of the top 604. Function. For example, rotation of the top 604 and/or other components of the portion 602 outside of the rotary control 600 may enable the user 106 to control the speed of rotation of the conveyor belt 120, a position of the base 112, and/or the exercise equipment 500 In other functional embodiments, input received via input device 614 may control one or more additional functions of athletic equipment 500 other than the rotational speed of conveyor belt 120, the position of base 112, and the like. For example, receiving an input via input device 614 may cause carousel 120 to start rotating, may cause carousel 120 to stop rotating, may enable selection of one or more exercise classes, may enable exercise equipment 500 to select one or more modes of operation selection, and/or control of various other functions of the exercise equipment 500.

As illustrated in FIG. 42 , the rotary control 600 may also include a spacer 616 having a distal portion 618 and a proximal portion 620 extending from the distal portion 618 . In such examples, the distal portion 618 can be connected to, mate with, contact and/or otherwise engage the input device 614 . In some examples, remote portion 618 may include a circuit configured to transmit signals from input device 614 to, for example, one or more microprocessors, filters, amplifiers, or other control components of PCB 636. One or more electrical contacts, sensors and/or other control components. Additionally or alternatively, the distal portion 618 can engage the input device 614 and the proximal portion 620 can extend at least partially into or through an opening 648 of the stem 646 . In such examples, proximal portion 620 may be connected to, mate with, contact and/or otherwise connect to one or more switches, sensors, electrical contacts, and/or other components of PCB 636 The components are engaged in a manner that is configured to receive a signal from the input device 614 or other input. In some examples, such components of PCB 636 may include a physical switch associated with encoder 642 and/or PCB 636 . In these examples, when user 106 presses input device 614 , input device 614 may move proximally toward PCB 636 substantially along central axis 605 . This movement can cause substantially commensurate movement of the septum 616 along the central axis 605 toward the switch, and in some examples, this movement can actuate the switch due to engagement between the proximal portion 620 and the switch.

As noted above, PCB 636 may include one or more LEDs 638 configured to emit visible light or other radiation. Rotational control 600 may also include one or more diffusing lenses, collimating lenses, diffractive lenses, beams, and/or other optical components 622 optically disposed downstream of such LEDs 638 . For example, rotary control 600 may include an annular optical component 622 optically disposed between one or more of LEDs 638 and indicator 608 . These optical components 622 can help diffuse, focus, and/or otherwise condition the radiation emitted by the LED 638 and can direct this radiation from the LED 638 to the indicator 608.

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

Frame 624 may also include one or more additional components configured to support corresponding components of rotational control 600 and/or at least partially guide rotation of one or more such components relative to frame 624 . For example, frame 624 may include one or more substantially annular rings 628 , 630 configured to at least partially support outer portion 602 . In certain examples, one or both of rings 628, 630 may include substantially cylindrical bearing surfaces and/or cam surfaces. 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 (eg, follower surfaces). or inner surface. In such examples, outer portion 602 can be rotatably connected to frame 624 and/or encoder 642, and one or more substantially cylindrical bearing surfaces and/or camming surfaces of rings 628, 630 can be at least partially The rotation of the outer part 602 about the central axis 605 is guided.

Additionally, the frame 624 may include one or more shelves 634 extending substantially perpendicular to one or both of the collars 628, 630. Such a shelf 634 can include a substantially annular, substantially planar surface of the frame 624, and in some examples, the shelf 634 can be opposite and/or substantially parallel to a corresponding surface of the base 626. One extends corresponding to the surface. In some examples, at least a portion of a shelf 634 of the frame 624 can extend radially from the ring 628 to the ring 630 . Additionally, in some embodiments, optical assembly 622 may be supported by, coupled to, and/or at least partially disposed on shelf 634 . In such examples, shelf 634 may include one or more openings that permit radiation emitted by one or more LEDs 638 of PCB 636 to pass from one or more LEDs 638 to optical assembly 622 substantially unobstructed. In some examples, the shelf 634 can include a plurality of such openings, and each opening of the shelf 634 can be substantially aligned with a corresponding one of the LEDs 638 of the PCB 636 to facilitate allowing radiation emitted by the corresponding LED 638 to pass to the LED. The optical component 622 and/or shines on the optical component 622 .

As shown in FIG. 41 , the controls 516 may include a substantially rigid frame 563 connected to the crossbar 514 of the exercise equipment 500 . In such examples, frame 563 can include a top surface 564 and a front surface 566 , and frame 563 can contain, carry, and/or otherwise at least partially support one or more components of control 516 . For example, the magnetic connector 518 described above may be connected to the frame 563, and such a magnetic connector 518 may include a recess 568 configured to receive a 106 and/or at least part of an emergency stop device worn by the user 106. For example, as described above, such an emergency stop device may comprise a length of cord and a magnetic clip or other component disposed at the end of the cord. The magnetic clip at the end of the cord may be seated on and/or at least partially within recess 568 during use of athletic equipment 500 . In such examples, the recess 568 may include one or more magnets having an opposite polarity to a magnetic clip disposed at the end of the cord such that the clip may be at least temporarily at least partially retained within the recess 568 by magnetic force. . Exercise equipment 500 may be configured such that conveyor belt 120 of base 112 may only rotate when the magnetic clip at the end of the cord is disposed on and/or at least partially within recess 568 . Additionally, removal of the magnetic clip from recess 568 may cause conveyor belt 120 to stop. In such examples, 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 recess 568 and/or that the magnetic clip is removed from recess 568 . These sensors of the magnetic connector 518 may be operatively connected to the controller of the athletic equipment 500 and/or other digital hardware 148 to facilitate such operation.

In some examples, the control member 516 may also include one or more additional sensors 570 disposed on the front surface 566 or the top surface 564 . In these examples, such additional sensors 570 may include one or more parameters configured to determine the presence of the user 106, the location of the user 106, and/or the performance parameters of the user 106, among others. Proximity, biometric and/or other sensors. In some examples, one or more such sensors 570 may be similar to and/or substantially the same as one or more of the sensors 147 discussed above with respect to at least FIG. 29 . For example, the sensors 570 may be configured to measure, sense, detect, and/or otherwise determine a user's heart rate, respiration, hydration level, calorie burn, or any other measure of bodily performance, or automatically The sensors receive such data provided by the user 106 . These sensors 570 may be operatively connected to the controller, memory, and/or other digital hardware 148 of the athletic equipment 500 .

Furthermore, in any of the examples set forth herein, the controls 516 may also include one or more input devices 572 in addition to the input devices 520 discussed above. Similar to input device 520 , input device 572 may be configured to receive an input from user 106 during use of athletic equipment 500 . In such examples, one or more such input devices 572 may include a button, wheel, touch pad, lever, knob, capacitive sensor, switch configured to receive an input 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 a corresponding function of the athletic equipment 500 . In these examples, input device 520 may be configured to provide control of a first function of athletic equipment 500, and input device 572 may be configured to provide control of a second function of athletic equipment 500, the The second function is different from the first function associated with the input device 520 . Display and User Interface

One or more displays 104 may be driven by a user input device such as a touch screen, mouse, voice controls, or other suitable input device. In some examples, display 104 or at least a portion of display 104 may include a touch screen configured to receive touch input from user 106 . One or more displays 104 may be of any size, but preferably are 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 the user 106, and distance away A series of additional performance measures and a series of different controls associated with one or more additional users of the athletic equipment 102 performing exercises on the athletic equipment. In various exemplary embodiments, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 4 , display 104 may include an area of the display 104 that may reflect an image of user 106 to provide the user with feedback regarding his size and performance in various activities. some or all areas.

In various exemplary embodiments, a user may use display 104 or one or more user interfaces 200 displayed on display 104 to selectively present information including live and/or archived video, performance data, and other user and A series of different information of system information. As will be explained below with respect to at least FIGS. 12-24 , these user interfaces 200 can provide a user interface that can be accessed and removed individually and/or as a group by point selection, touch, voice command, or gesture. Wide range of control and information windows. In various exemplary embodiments, these windows may provide information regarding past and present user's own grades and/or grades of other participants in the same course.

An example user interface 200 presented via display 104 may be used to access member information of system 100, log in and out, access live content such as live athletic classes and archived classes or other content. User information can be displayed in a variety of formats and can include historical and current grades and account information, social networking links and information, achievements, and more. The user interface 200 described herein may 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 a user to manage their experience, including selecting what information to display and arranging how this information is displayed on the displays 104 . Such a 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 may be displayed over video content using semi-transparent or partially transparent elements, so that the video behind the information elements can be viewed along with (i.e., at the same time as) the performance metrics and/or other information itself . In addition, the example user interface 200 can present the user 106 with a variety of screens that the user 106 can navigate through using provided user input devices (including by touch if a touch screen is used) .

In any of the examples set forth herein, the processor and/or other components of digital hardware 148 may control display 104 and/or otherwise cause display 104 to display various user interfaces 200 of the present invention. For example, a processor or other component of digital hardware 148 may cause display 104 to display user interface 200 including a home screen providing basic information about system 100 and/or athletic equipment 102 and available options. This home screen may provide direct links to information such as scheduled sessions, archived sessions, a leaderboard, coaches, and/or profile 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 an applicable 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 main screen Take a guided tour. An exemplary user interface 200 that provides such a home screen may also provide other information relevant to the user, such as social networking information, and navigation buttons that allow the user to move quickly among different screens in the user interface.

In various exemplary embodiments, user 106 may use one or more of user interfaces 200 to browse and select among 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 regarding available exercise classes. Such an example toolbar 202 may include respective tabs or other controls that enable the user 106 to browse the content. For example, toolbar 202 may include: a first tab 204 that enables the user to access featured live and archived exercise classes; a second tab 206 that enables the user to access archived exercise classes a library; a third tab 208, which enables the user to access a schedule of live sessions; a fourth tab 210, which enables the user to access various quick-start or "run" content; and / or other additional or different headings.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , if the user 106 selects the first tab 204 associated with a featured course, the user interface 200 may present a high ranking or other priority (e.g., "featured") status achieved A schedule of previewed live or archived courses. User interface 200 may include one or more drop-down menus or other display features, and such features may also allow a user to find such featured courses by genre, instructor, or any other suitable category. The user interface 200 associated with the featured courses tab 204 may allow the user 106 to select a future course (illustrated as thumbnails or icons 212, 214) or start a course that is in progress or about to start (such as thumbnails or icons 212, 214) 216, 218, 220 illustrated). Additionally, the user interface 200 associated with the featured courses tab 204 may allow the user 106 to select one of the archived or on-demand courses that has taken place (as illustrated by the thumbnail or icon 221 ). Course schedules and information regarding "featured" content or any other content may be presented via these user interfaces 200 in any suitable format, including a calendar, checklist, or any other suitable layout. For example, selecting the third tab 208 associated with the live schedule of athletic classes may result in a user interface 200 presenting an advance schedule of live classes listed on a calendar.

As illustrated in the example user interface 200 shown in FIG. 14, if the user 106 selects a second tab 206 associated with a course library, the system 100 may provide a display of information related to available archived courses. A user interface 200, and this information can be categorized in a number of different ways. As illustrated by menu icon 222, user interface 200 may filter the courses contained in the course library so that only icons corresponding to courses associated with running, boot camp, and off-tread Or 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, enabling the user 106 to further filter the courses contained in the course library. For example, the drop-down menu 224 may enable the user 106 to select a class based on instructor, duration, class type, music style, body slimming, exercise type, and the like. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 14 , the icon or thumbnail 225 may be displayed in any suitable format and may include information about the instructor who included the course, the length of the course, the date the course originally started, the type of course, and/or other relevant information . Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15 , selecting one of the thumbnail images 225 may display additional information to the user 106 via an additional window 226 of the user interface 200 . For example, this additional information may include a review of a class, the number of times the user has attended that class in the past, body parts that were focused on during the class, additional equipment (such as weights) that may be required during the class, and other grades or course-related information.

16-18 illustrate an example user interface 200 that may be provided to user 106 during a selected exercise session. While an exercise session is being played on one or more displays 104 through the user interface 200, in various exemplary embodiments, the primary video feed may be displayed as a background video full screen or as a sub-window displayed on the displays 104 middle. Information elements may be provided on different portions of the display screen to indicate any performance metric, including total time, elapsed time, time remaining, distance, speed, user 106 mile pace, grade, elevation, resistance, power, total effort , energy expended (eg, output), cadence, heart rate, respiration, hydration, calories burned, and/or any custom performance score that can be developed. The displayed information may also include trends or relationships between different performance measures. For example, the display could be a color that indicates a particular metric that indicates current grades compared to a course or average grade over time, such as red to indicate that the current grade is below average, or green to indicate high on average. Trends or relative performance can also be shown using color and graphics, such as a red down arrow to show that the current grade is below 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 the selected exercise session in the user interface 200 . As shown in FIGS. 16-18, an example segmented timeline 228 may include one or more segments 230a, 230b, 230c, . . . , 230n (collectively, is "section 230"). For example, the size, length, width, height, relative position, color, opacity, and/or other configuration of these segments 230 may represent the length of the corresponding portion or segment of the selected athletic session. In general, segmented timeline 228 may also provide an indication 232 of elapsed and/or remaining time for the current workout segment and/or exercise session. The segmented timeline 228 may also include one or more visual markers 234a, 234b, 234c, . . . , 234n (collectively referred to as "marker 234"). For example, marking 234a may indicate that segment 230a includes a walking segment, marking 234d may indicate that segment 230c includes a running segment, and marking 234b may indicate that weight equipment is required within at least a portion of segment 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 preview workout segments or features, Instructional information (such as graphics or videos demonstrating how to properly perform an exercise) or other information related to an ongoing exercise session.

As shown in FIGS. 16-18 , the user interface 200 may include a main window 236 configured to display live or archived exercise sessions or other content selected by the user 106 . In various exemplary embodiments, the user interface 200 may further include displaying one or more achievement metric windows 238 overlaid on and/or otherwise with the main window 236 (e.g., FIG. 16 and FIG. "Scorecard" illustrated in 17). These performance metric windows 238 may display a ranking, total output, current output, grade, conveyor belt speed, mile pace, and/or other specific performance metrics regarding the user's current course, past courses, or other performance information. The performance metric windows 238 can appear anywhere on the display 104 and can be user selectable such that the performance metric windows can be displayed or removed with a screen touch or gesture.

The user interface 200 may also allow the user 106 to toggle between the display of maximum, average and total results for different performance metrics. Additionally, the user interface 200 may allow the user 106 to hide or display information elements, including performance metrics, video streams, user information, etc., all at once or individually. Performance metrics and/or other performance information may also be displayed in various display bars 240, 242 that may be hidden or displayed as a group or individually. The user interface 200 can provide complete 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 taking the same exercise program. In various exemplary embodiments, a leaderboard 244 may include a separate window overlaid on and/or otherwise displayed with the main window 236 . An example leaderboard 244 can 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 information about participants in a particular age group, male participants, female participants, male participants in a particular age group, participants in a particular geographic area, etc. One of the achievements leaderboard 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. Users 106 may have the ability to individually curate and/or otherwise configure a leaderboard 244, or have the system 100 curate a leaderboard by selecting an appropriate participant group with respect to the user 106 List 244. A user 106 may be able to curate his own leaderboard 244 for a particular previously recorded course to create one of the leaderboards 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, athletic equipment 102 may incorporate various social networking aspects, such as allowing user 106 to follow other participants, or create participant groups or circles 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 sorted, grouped and/or categorized based on any characteristic including personal information such as age, gender, weight, etc. or based on achievements such as current power output, speed, or a custom rating.

The leaderboard 244 may be fully interactive, allowing the 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 that participant), or establish direct communication (such as via an audio and/or video connection). The leaderboard 244 may also display the user's personal best in the same course or in a comparable course to allow the user 106 to compare his current performance with his previous personal best. In some examples, this achievement 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 the user 106 follows), or provide other visual cues to indicate a connection 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 their ranking and performance 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 up 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 lock and the rest of the leaderboard 244 will continue to scroll below that position .

In various exemplary embodiments, system 100 may calculate and/or display one or more custom scores to illustrate one or more aspects of a user's performance. An instance of such a custom score would be a decimal number calculated for a particular course or user session. This rating can also be calculated using performance data from some or all courses or training sessions over a specific period of time. In any of the examples set forth herein, such a custom score may be based at least in part on an amount of time elapsed during an exercise session, a total output, or total Energy and/or a number of exercise sessions that user 106 has participated in within a given time period are calculated and/or otherwise determined by one or more processors of system 100 and/or athletic 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 may be sorted by relevant performance parameters. Users can choose whether to make their scores available to all users, selected users, and/or coaches, or to keep their scores private so that no one else can view them.

In various exemplary embodiments, 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 main window 236 , while one or more additional video streams may be displayed in other windows on display 104 . The various video streams may include live or recorded streaming coaching video or any other video content, including one or more live video chat streams. This video content may include instructional information such as information on how to perform a particular movement or demonstration content. This video content may also include visual cues, such as timing indicators, counting, etc., that the user 106 will follow when performing their movements.

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

As illustrated in the example user interface 200 shown in FIGS. 19-21, if the user 106 selects a fourth tab 210 associated with the "run" functionality of the athletic equipment 102, the system 100 can provide a display and A user interface 200 for quickly starting running/application-related information. For example, user interface 200 may include one or more icons or thumbnails 248, 250, 252 that allow user 106 to select a desired exercise regimen. For example, a freestyle icon 248 may enable the user 106 to set his or her own incline, belt speed, running route, and/or other parameters, and may enable the user 106 to run at an undefined and unlimited Mode (for example, in the case that a particular exercise session is not displayed on the display 104) exercise. Scenic icon 250 may be similar to fancy workout icon 248 in that scenic icon 250 may enable user 106 to exercise without displaying a particular exercise session on display 104 . However, in response to receiving an input indicating selection of a scenic spot icon 250 , the user interface 200 may present a plurality of additional icons or thumbnail images 254 corresponding to respective scenic tracks stored in a memory of the athletic 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 can display the selected track on the display 104 as the user 106 moves on the treadmill 102 . Additionally, the competition icon 252 may enable the user 106 to perform a relatively high intensity workout without displaying a particular exercise session on the display 104 . For example, in response to receiving an input indicating selection of the race icon 252, the user interface 200 may present a plurality of additional icons corresponding to respective time-based challenges or races stored in a memory of the athletic equipment 102 or Thumbnails 256. Such icons or thumbnails 256 are illustrated in FIG. 21 . Upon selection of one of the icons or thumbnails 256, the user interface 200 can display on the display 104 the conveyor speed, platform slope, output, elapsed time, mile pace, and calories burned associated with the selected race and/or other grade parameters or other information.

22-24 illustrate an example user interface 200 configured to provide user 106 with performance information before, during, or after a selected exercise session. For example, the user interface 200 illustrated in FIG. 23 provides an overview of information associated with a particular user 106 (eg, "clementine cein"). 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 buddy participants the user 106 is following, the Running, biking, circuit training or other exercise, various achievements or awards the user 106 has earned, the personal best output of the user 106, a timeline of the user's recent exercise activities and/or exercise activities with the user other such general information associated with it. 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 an alternate 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 a particular user's 106 workout history. For example, as indicated in the user interface 200 of FIG. 22, this information may include a list of workouts or other movement sessions performed by the user 106 during the week and/or during the month. This information may be displayed in a first window 262 of the user interface 200, and may further include a summary of the user's output during each exercise session, date and time of session, trainer, and/or other information. User interface 200 may also include one or more additional windows 264 and/or other formats useful in providing additional information about user 106's exercise history. For example, such an additional window 264 may provide specific performance metrics (e.g., a heart rate trendline, a segmented timeline, an average 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 a particular user 106's exercise history may include the window 262 described above as well as provide achievements, output trends, and One or more additional windows 266, 268 and/or other workout information. For example, window 266 may display the total output, distance run, elevation gain, calories burned, average output, and/or energy expended associated with a particular workout of the previous workouts shown in first window 262 , average speed, average mile pace, and/or other information. The window 266 may also display the leaderboard rank of the user 106 corresponding to a particular one of the previous workouts and various achievements that have been made by performing one of the previous workouts. On the other hand, window 268 may provide speed, output, and/or other trend lines associated with a particular workout in previous workouts. Accordingly, the user interface 200 illustrated in FIGS. 22-24 may provide the user 106 with relatively detailed performance information that the user 106 may use to improve his or her general health and/or abilities. Any of the information provided via the user interface 200 described herein may be stored in memory or other components of the digital hardware 148 of the athletic equipment 102, and/or may be stored remotely.

The achievement-focused user interface 200 illustrated in FIGS. 22-24 can also be configured to provide information obtained from various additional sources. For example, data regarding a user's performance may be collected from a variety of sources other than the various sensors 147 on primary athletic equipment 102 . As illustrated in FIG. 5 , other athletic equipment 102 and devices used during an exercise session may each include one or more sensors to gather information about the user's performance. User 106 may also use various 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 such exercise equipment 272 may also include one or more such additional sensors 270 . Data from all of these sources can be collected by the local system 100 and analyzed to provide feedback on user performance.

One challenge with certain types of data collected from these sensors 270 is determining the appropriate context for interpreting the data so that accurate information about a user's 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 consistent with several different movements, but it may be difficult or impossible for the sensor to derive the user's 106 which movement is actually being performed. In the absence of context, data showing the user's wrist moving up and down may indicate that the user 106 is running or that the user 106 may simply be moving his arm. Consequently, performance data derived from these sensors 270 can be highly inaccurate.

In various exemplary embodiments, data from various sensors 270 on exercise equipment 272 (such as free weights) and on the user's body may be collected, and system 100 may interpret data from all sources by providing The context of the collected sensor data is used to improve accuracy by using information about group fitness classes led by trainers. If a class instructor has, for example, instructed user 106 to perform a push-up, system 100 may assume that the sensed movement consistent with a push-up is actually a push-up and interpret the sensor data accordingly. The performance data obtained can be substantially improved by the context provided by coach-led group fitness classes.

Accordingly, one or more of the user interfaces 200 described with respect to at least FIGS. 22-24 may also provide any of the performance data and/or other information available for display from the sensors 270 and/or athletic equipment 272. One or more additional windows. These additional windows can also be configured to display a range of content including additional grade data, information about the course, instructor, other participants, etc., or a secondary video stream. These additional windows may allow the user 106 to view a range of information about other current or past participants to compare performances, and to turn on or off voice or video chat streams or other communication channels. In various exemplary embodiments, the user 106 may simultaneously access and/or watch other content including movies, television channels, online channels, etc. through one or more such additional windows.

In various exemplary embodiments, the user interface 200 described herein may be implemented through a native program or application using a native operating system (such as an Android or iOS application) or through 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 accessed remotely 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 through this website, communicate with other participants Communicate, schedule classes, access coaching information, and/or view any of the information described herein with respect to the various user interfaces 200 . user generated content

A feature of face-to-face team sports classes is the ability to see other participants performing sports or other activities in response to instructions from the class leader. This ability to see others performing the same movement or activity can provide motivation to maintain or improve performance or help the user confirm that they are performing the proper movement with proper form. In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, video streams showing other class participants performing movements directed by a coach or other class leader may be displayed on one or more displays 104 of respective athletic equipment 102 . In various exemplary embodiments, these additional video streams may include user-generated content related to live or previously recorded exercise session content. Referring to FIG. 8, for example, an exemplary embodiment is illustrated in which video streams of other course participants are displayed in sub-windows 274a, 274b, 274c spanning a top portion of a user interface 200 displayed on the display 104 , ..., 274n (collectively referred to as "sub-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 may be live streamed. If the course is an archived course, this content may be live streamed while other course participants are taking the course at the same time, or this content may be archived content from other course participants' previous participation in the course. One or more of these video streams may be displayed on one or more displays 104 as described herein. Additionally, 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, users 106 may also be able to provide feedback regarding such user-generated content. For example, the user 106 may be able to enter, for example, a positive message indicating that they like or dislike user-generated content by clicking on an icon provided via additional window 278 indicating their opinion or otherwise entering their opinion. or negative feedback.

In various exemplary embodiments, user 106 may also choose whether to display any such user-generated content. If user-generated content is displayed, the determination of which user-generated content is displayed to a particular user 106 can be made in a number of different ways. In various exemplary embodiments, the user-generated content may be selected by the user 106 by selecting the user-generated content from the available user-generated content for a particular exercise session currently displayed via the display 104 . The user-generated content may also be selected by a course instructor or one or more content editors, the user-generated content may be presented via a content queue sorted based on any suitable criteria, or the user-generated content may be selected by the system 100 based on One or more fit criteria are selected. For example, UGC to be displayed may simply be a time-based queue of available UGC without regard to quality.

In various exemplary embodiments, the user-generated content to be displayed may be selected to provide, when viewed, the best quality user-generated content available for a particular selected exercise session. Where a course is broadcast live, availability of User Generated Content will be limited to live streaming content generated during the course itself. For Archived Courses, Available User Generated Content may include all Content Generated by each User participating in the Course at any time. The user-generated content to be displayed for an archived course may be based on the ratings accumulated for that user-generated content over time, or on any other measure of popularity. This approach will result in an improvement over time to the UGC displayed with any archived courses, since the UGC that has received the best feedback will be selected for display, and the UGC that has not received positive feedback will not be displayed. Feedback on User Generated Content. local system

As noted above, an example local system 100 may include an athletic machine 102 and a series of associated sensing, data storage, processing, and/or communication components (eg, digital hardware 148 ). In an exemplary embodiment, these components may be mounted on the athletic equipment 102 itself and/or adjacent to the athletic equipment 102 on board. The processing, data storage, and/or communication components can be located within a housing of the display 104 to form a single integrated on-board computer and display screen, or the processing, data storage, and/or communication components can be housed separately locally on the motion On or near the exercise equipment 102 . Such an exemplary local system 100 may communicate with one or more remote servers over wired or wireless connections using any suitable network or protocol.

Also as noted above, an example athletic equipment 102 may be equipped with various sensors 147 to measure, sense, detect, and/or otherwise determine information related to a user's performance metrics. This information may be stored in memory associated with digital hardware 148 and/or in memory associated with a remote server and may be used by the processor and/or other components of digital hardware 148 to determine One or more of the performance measures described herein and/or determine other performance information. The athletic equipment 102 may also be equipped with or connected to various data input devices or other user interfaces, such as a display 104, touch screen, video camera and/or microphone.

Sensors 147 and other input devices may communicate with local and/or remote processing and storage devices via any suitable communication protocols and networks using any suitable connection, including wired or wireless connections. In various exemplary embodiments, zone communications may be managed using a variety of techniques. For example, zone communication can be managed using a wired transport using a serial protocol to communicate between the sensors and the console. Area communication can also be managed using a wireless communication protocol such as the ANT or ANT+ protocol. ANT is a 2.4GHz practical wireless network protocol and embedded system solution specially designed for wireless sensor networks (WSN) requiring ultra-low power. Advantages include extremely compact architecture, network flexibility and scalability, ease of use and low system cost. Various combinations of wired and wireless area communications may also be used.

Access to any suitable communication network (such as the Internet) can be used to provide information to and from other athletic equipment 102 or other resources (such as a back-end system or platform) end system or platform) to receive information. In various exemplary embodiments, the local system 100 can 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 the location of other users). These other users may exist at the same location or at a nearby location, or these other users may be at a remote location. Content creation and distribution

Content for delivery to users 106 can be created and stored in various local or remote locations and shared across network-connected athletic systems, including live and archived exercise sessions, live and archived instructional content (such as video content that illustrates how to properly perform a movement), scenic or map-based content, video and/or animation that can be presented in three dimensions from any angle. Such an example network-connected motion system is illustrated in at least FIG. 9 . This overview of a networked sports system is exemplary only, and it will be readily understood that example embodiments of the invention may be implemented with 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 functions for storing user information, system information, performance information, archived Various databases of content, etc. The user's local system 100 communicates with the network-connected backend server via any suitable network, including but not limited to the Internet. As an example of an alternative distribution method, in various exemplary embodiments, backend servers can be eliminated and data can be passed throughout the system in a distributed or peer-to-peer fashion rather than via a central server network. In such a system, performance data can be broken down into small packets or "fragments" and distributed among user devices, allowing the complete data set to be rapidly distributed to all devices for display as needed.

Content for distribution over the Internet can be created in a number of different ways. Content recording locations may include professional content recording studios or amateur and home-based locations. In various exemplary embodiments, the recording studio may include a space for live coaching exercise sessions with live studio participation, or may be a dedicated studio without live studio participation. As shown in FIG. 9, a recording device including one or more video cameras 300, microphone 302, mp3 player or other music player 304, and/or other components may be used to film the instructor and/or participants during the course. Multiple cameras 300 can provide different views, and 3D cameras 300 can be used to create 3D content. In various exemplary embodiments, the content may also be locally generated by the user 106 . For example, athletic equipment 102 may be equipped with a recording device including microphone 302 and video camera 300 . Users 106 can generate live or recorded sessions that can be transmitted, stored in the system, and distributed throughout the network.

With continued reference to FIG. 9 , lesson content may be generated based on providing the output of one or more video cameras 300 , microphone 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 . Video transcoder 316 can output the transcoded data to a video packetizer 318 , which can then send a packetized data stream out to remote system user 322 via a content distribution network 320 . In various exemplary embodiments, coaches and/or users 106 may have access to a content creation platform that coaches and/or users 106 may use to help them create content. Such a platform may provide tools for selecting and editing music, managing volume controls, and launching chat or other communications with users.

As explained above, through the display 104 and/or other user interface on the user's 106 athletic equipment 102, the user 106 can access a list, calendar, and list of live and recorded exercise sessions available for delivery through the display 104. schedule. In various exemplary embodiments, once the user 106 selects a course, the local system 100 accesses and displays a main data stream of the course. This primary data stream may include video, music, voice, text or any other material and may represent a live or previously recorded recurring session. 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 to bring the highest quality video to the participants according to the user's bandwidth/hardware constraints.

In various exemplary embodiments, the networked athletic systems and methods of the present invention may include multi-way 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-way video and audio streams from the instructor and/or other users regardless of location, and establish direct communication with other users to have private or Joint video and/or audio communications. These data streams may be established by the local system 100 for presentation via one or more displays 104 via one or more of the user interfaces 200 set forth above. In various exemplary embodiments, 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 session as well as other audio channels for different users or even unrelated audio streams, such as phone calls or their own music selections. For example, this would allow a user 106 to turn down the coaching volume to facilitate a conversation with one of the other users.

With regard to live classes, in various exemplary embodiments, the instructor may be able to communicate with the entire class or contact individual users simultaneously and solicit feedback from all users regardless of location in real time. For example, the trainer may verbally ask the user or send a pop-up message to the user 106 seeking feedback on difficulty level, music selection, terrain, and the like. The user 106 can then respond through components of the home system 100 by selecting an appropriate response or providing verbal feedback. This allows instructors to use crowdsourcing to develop a program to suit the needs of participants, and to improve their programs by soliciting feedback or voting on specific program features or elements.

In various exemplary embodiments, the coach may also be able to set performance goals, and the system may measure and display the performance of the user 106 against the goal to the user 106 and the coach. For example, a coach can set a target metric (eg, target power and speed) and then display this target metric next to the user's degrees in a color-coded manner to indicate whether the user is meeting that goal. The system may allow the trainer to remotely adjust the athletic equipment settings for individual users 106 . In various exemplary embodiments, athletic equipment 102 may also automatically adjust based on information from user 106, based on information from a coach, or based on performance. For example, athletic equipment 102 may adjust how difficult it is to maintain a particular performance parameter, such as a heart rate within a particular range, or to reach a particular performance goal.

In various exemplary embodiments, users 106 may control access to their own information, including sensor data, performance metrics, and personal information. 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. Users 106 may also choose to reveal their presence on the system to other users, or to participate in a session without making other users aware of their presence.

In various exemplary embodiments, user 106 may access a list of all or a selected one of current and/or past course participants. These lists may contain performance information about the users, such as total power, speed, steps, cadence, resistance, or a custom score that provides information about relative user performance. These lists may also contain controls that allow the user to open a live stream to the user, such as a live video chat stream. System Features and User Resources

In various exemplary embodiments, networked athletic systems and methods may allow users 106 to create accounts and save and manage their performance data. As discussed above, the system may allow the user 106 to view a schedule of previewed live classes, register for future live streamed classes, and set reminders. User 106 may also be able to invite others to participate in a live session, and set text, email, voice or other notifications and calendar entries. In addition to the user interface of the local system 100 associated with the user's athletic equipment 102, the user 106 may also be able to access the system via a web-based or application-based interface on a desktop computer and/or mobile device. , account, grades, and all other data.

In various exemplary embodiments, the system enables multiple users to simultaneously participate in a recorded session, which is synchronized by the system and allows access to all of the same communication and data sharing features available for a live session. Utilizing this feature, participants concurrently taking the same archived course can compete against each other as well as against past grades or "virtual" participants of the same course.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 , the system can be configured to feed synchronized live and/or archived video content and live and/or archived sensor data to a user over a network. In various exemplary embodiments, a networked exercise system can be configured with a plurality of user exercise devices 400 in communication with a video chat platform 402, a video content distribution network 404 , the video content distribution network receives audio-video content from one or more content sources 406 . User athletic device 400 may also communicate with various other networks and servers. For example, user athletic device 400 may exchange sensor and performance data and/or communications with various databases 408 (including historical or "virtual player" data). A control station 410 may provide signals via the network to control the collection, storage and management of data across the system.

One challenge of using comparative data from live and/or historical sources is synchronization, as some users 106 may have started exercising before the actual session begins, while others may join after the session has begun. In order to provide accurate data on course grades for the leaderboard, including archived grade data, each course may have a specific "entry" or start signal that acts as a starting point in time for data comparison. Archived performance data can be calibrated to the same "in" signal as live participant data, allowing comparative data to be presented through a leaderboard or other display through to the end of the course. A "stop" signal at the end of the course marks the end time for the performance comparison of both live and archived performance data. If a participant joins the session after the "enter" signal, their data can be synchronized to start correctly when they join the session.

Figure 11 shows various events relative to time, with time increasing from left to right on the scale at the bottom. The timeline of the course itself (whether live or archived) is shown at the top, with the timelines of four different participants shown below the timeline of the course. Video delivery for a live or archived session may begin at video start point 420 before the actual session begins. A GO signal point 422 indicates the beginning of a lesson or a comparison period of a lesson, a STOP signal point 424 indicates the end of a lesson or a comparison period of a lesson, and an end video point 426 indicates the end of a video stream. For Participants 1, 2, and 4, all of whom started exercising before the GO signal point, the GO signal served as the start time point for their course performance measure. For Participant 3, the point in time of their actual start will serve as the point in time for the start of their course performance measure. For participants 1, 2, and 3 who continued to exercise after the STOP signal point, the end point of their course performance measures will be the STOP signal point, and the end point for participant 4 will be the time when they actually stopped exercising.

Using such a system, live and past performance data of users or other participants can be provided during a course in a range 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 simultaneously to allow the user to compare his performance against a benchmark in real time during a session or after a session. In various exemplary embodiments, the system may also allow users to create handicapping systems to balance competition among different users or groups of users, thereby allowing for 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, performance information for different users may be combined to produce a single performance measure, such as in a relay type race where the times of different users are collected and combined into a single time or score for a team.

In various exemplary embodiments, the system may also combine user performance from two or more different athletic machines 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 exercise session may be combined together in a single output that reflects performance data from multiple pieces of athletic equipment 102 .

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

In various exemplary embodiments, the system may display course content using one or more secondary displays. Using a device such as CHROMECAST or a similar integrated device to enable a secondary display to display content provided by the system through a user interface, 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 such an enabled device and allow the user to select display screens for specific content.

Various types of rewards and honors can be established for different achievements to create incentives for improving performance or overcoming other goals. In various exemplary embodiments, a coach or user may create mini-competitions in which all users participate or only a selected subset of users (such as a friend group) participates. Competitions such as sprinting, mountain climbing, max power output, etc. can be preset or created on the fly through the user interface. The winner may be rewarded with a prize, such as a badge, trophy, or ride-specific honor (such as a green jersey or yellow jersey). Competitions can be established within a course or training session or across multiple courses or training sessions. terms

The example clauses AT described below set forth example embodiments of the invention. Any of the following clauses or individual features thereof may be combined in any way. Furthermore, the descriptions included in any of the example clauses below may be combined with one or more of the features set forth above or illustrated in FIGS. 1-42 . The terms described below are not intended to narrow the scope of the invention in any way, and are merely 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 column extending from the base; a second column extending from the base opposite the first column; and a first arm supported by the first column And it includes a first rotary control part. 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 independent of 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. B: The treadmill of clause A, further comprising a first crossbar extending from the first arm to the second arm and a first crossbar extending from the first arm to the second arm opposite the first crossbar A second crossbar including a third control configured to stop rotation of the track. C: The treadmill of clause A or B, wherein the first function comprises a rotational speed of the track and the second function comprises a slope of the base with respect to a support surface on which the treadmill rests. D: The treadmill of clause A, B or C, wherein the first rotary control includes an outer portion rotatable about a central axis of the first rotary control and relative to the first arm. E: The treadmill of clause D, wherein the first rotary control further includes an input device independent of the outer portion, the input device configured to control the running as distinct from the first function and the second function One of the third functions of the machine. 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 limit the Rotation of the outer part around the central axis. G: The treadmill of clauses A, B, C, D, E, or F, wherein the first rotary control includes an indicator, and wherein rotation of an outer portion of the first rotary control produces a change in the indicator. At least partial commensurate temporary lighting. H: The treadmill of clauses A, B, C, D, E, F, or G, wherein the first rotary control includes: a first assembly configured to rotate between a user of the treadmill relative to The first arm provides tactile feedback to the user when the first rotary control is rotated, and a second component, distinct from the first component, configured to rotate the first arm relative to the user Visual feedback is provided to the user when the first control member is rotated. I: The treadmill of Clause A, B, C, D, E, F, G or H, wherein the first rotary control comprises a carrier, an outer portion rotatably connected to the carrier and connected to the carrier A printed circuit board, and wherein 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 of clause I, wherein the first rotary control further includes an inner portion comprising an input device configured to receive an input, and receiving the input causes 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 independent of the first motor and operatively connected to the controller; a first rotary control, which is operatively connected to the controller; and a second rotary control, which is independent of the first rotary control and is operatively connected to the controller. In this embodiment, the first rotary control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill associated with the first motor. Additionally, the second rotary control is configured to control a second function of the treadmill associated with the second motor, the second function being different from the first function. L: The treadmill of clause K, wherein the first function includes a rotational speed of a continuous track of the treadmill, and the second function includes a support of a base of the treadmill relative to a support on which the treadmill is placed The slope of one of the surfaces. M: The treadmill of clause K or L, wherein the first rotary control includes a first outer portion rotatable about a central axis of the first rotary control, and the second rotary control includes a first outer portion rotatable about a central axis of the first rotary control A central axis of the second rotary control member rotates a second outer portion. N: The treadmill of Clause K, L or M, wherein at least one of the first rotary control or the second rotary control includes an input device operatively connected to the controller and via configured to control a third function of the treadmill different from the first function and the second function. O: The treadmill of clauses K, L, M, or N, wherein at least one of the first rotary control or the second rotary control includes an indicator, and wherein the first rotary control or the second Rotation of the at least one of the two rotary controls produces 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 independent of the first rotary control and the second rotary control, the third control being operatively Connected to the controller and configured to stop the rotation of a continuous track of the treadmill. Q: In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of manufacturing a treadmill includes providing an upper assembly including a first arm, a second arm opposite the first arm , a first cross bar extending from the first arm to the second arm, and a second cross bar opposite to the first cross bar and extending from the first arm to the second arm. The method also includes connecting a first rotary control to the first arm, the first rotary control including an outer portion rotatable relative to the first arm and an inner portion including an input device. The method further includes connecting a second rotary control to the second arm, the second rotary control including an outer portion rotatable relative to the second arm. The method also includes operably connecting the first rotary control and the second rotary control to a controller of the treadmill. The first rotary control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill via the controller, and the second rotary control is configured to control the first function different 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 to the first crossbar, wherein the third control is operably connected to the controller of the treadmill, configured to pass through 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 is rotatable relative to the inner portion of the first control about a central axis of the first control, the first control further comprising an indicator configured such that rotation of the outer portion of the first control produces temporary illumination commensurate with at least part of the indicator, and the input device configured to control A third function of the treadmill different from the second function. T: The method of clause S, wherein the first control further comprises at least one detent configured to rotate the first control relative to the central axis when a user of the treadmill rotates the first control The external part provides tactile feedback to the user at regular intervals. Summarize

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 disclosure. Various changes may be made to the subject matter described herein without following the illustrations and the examples and applications described and without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as stated in the appended claims. Modifications and Changes.

100‧‧‧local system/system/example local system/network-connected sports system/user's local system 102‧‧‧Sports equipment/treadmill/main sports equipment/example sports equipment 104‧‧‧display 106‧‧‧user 108‧‧‧Lower assembly 110‧‧‧Upper assembly 112‧‧‧Platform 114‧‧‧The first motor/motor 116‧‧‧Tilt frame 118‧‧‧Second motor/motor 120‧‧‧Conveyor Belt/Example Conveyor Belt 122‧‧‧continuous track/track 124‧‧‧Components 126‧‧‧Lateral alignment of slats/slats 128‧‧‧side wall/first side wall/second side wall 130‧‧‧pillar/first pillar/second pillar 130a‧‧‧first column/column/corresponding column 130b‧‧‧Second column/column/corresponding column 132‧‧‧cross bar 134‧‧‧bracket 136‧‧‧end cover 138‧‧‧bracket 140‧‧‧Coupling 142‧‧‧top pad 144‧‧‧Rotary Controls/Infinite Wheel Controls/Infinite Wheel Rotation Controls 146‧‧‧rotary control parts/infinite wheel type rotary control parts 147‧‧‧Sensor 148‧‧‧Digital hardware 150‧‧‧Control logic 152‧‧‧external part 154‧‧‧Framework 156‧‧‧mount frame 158‧‧‧substantially linear control member/control member/first substantially linear control member 160‧‧‧components 162‧‧‧Components 164‧‧‧Additional Touch Pad/Touch Pad 166‧‧‧Components 168‧‧‧board 170‧‧‧Printed circuit board 172‧‧‧Capacitive traces 174‧‧‧Second substantially linear control member/substantially linear control member 200‧‧‧user interface/example user interface/in-course user interface/additional user interface/achievement-focused user interface 202‧‧‧Toolbar/Example Toolbar 204‧‧‧First Column/Special Course Column 206‧‧‧The second column 208‧‧‧The third column 210‧‧‧The fourth column 212‧‧‧Thumbnail/Icon 214‧‧‧Thumbnails/Icons 216‧‧‧Thumbnails/Icons 218‧‧‧Thumbnails/Icons 220‧‧‧Thumbnails/Icons 221‧‧‧Thumbnail/Icon 222‧‧‧Menu icon 224‧‧‧Drop-down menu 225‧‧‧Icons/Thumbnails 226‧‧‧Additional windows 228‧‧‧Segmented timeline/Example segmented timeline/Timeline Section 230a‧‧‧ Section 230b‧‧‧ Section 230c‧‧‧ 232‧‧‧instructions 234a‧‧‧visual marks/marks 234b‧‧‧Visual marking/marking 234c‧‧‧Visual mark 234d‧‧‧Visual marking/marking 236‧‧‧Main window 238‧‧‧Score Measurement Window 240‧‧‧display column 242‧‧‧display column 244‧‧‧Leaderboard/Example Leaderboard 246‧‧‧Notice 248‧‧‧Icons/Thumbnails/Fancy Fitness Icons 250‧‧‧Icons/Thumbnails/Scenic Icons 252‧‧‧Icons/Thumbnails/Contest Icons 254‧‧‧Icons/Thumbnails 256‧‧‧Icons/Thumbnails 258‧‧‧Single part/window 260‧‧‧single part/window 262‧‧‧first window/window 264‧‧‧extra windows 266‧‧‧extra window/window 268‧‧‧extra windows/windows 270‧‧‧Additional sensors/sensors 272‧‧‧Sports equipment 274a‧‧‧Sub window 274b‧‧‧Sub window 274c‧‧‧Sub window 276‧‧‧Main window 278‧‧‧Additional windows 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 sports equipment 402‧‧‧Video Chat Platform 404‧‧‧Video content distribution network 406‧‧‧Source of content 408‧‧‧database 410‧‧‧Control Station 420‧‧‧Video start point 422‧‧‧GO signal points 424‧‧‧STOP signal points 426‧‧‧end video point 500‧‧‧Example sports equipment/treadmill/sports equipment/equipment 502a‧‧‧end cover 502b‧‧‧end cover 504a‧‧‧arm 504b‧‧‧arm 506‧‧‧crossbar/first crossbar 514‧‧‧crossbar/second crossbar 516‧‧‧control parts 518‧‧‧Magnetic connector 520‧‧‧Input device 522‧‧‧Pallet 524‧‧‧Gap 526‧‧‧Infinite wheel type rotary control / rotary control 528‧‧‧Infinite wheel type rotary control/rotary control/example rotary control 530‧‧‧External part/corresponding external part 532‧‧‧base 534‧‧‧Top 536‧‧‧central axis 538‧‧‧Grip 540‧‧‧Indicator/Indicator No. 542‧‧‧internal part 544‧‧‧Essentially dished plates/plates 546‧‧‧Input device 548‧‧‧base 550‧‧‧Essentially central opening/opening 552‧‧‧carrier 554‧‧‧Essentially rigid frame/frame 555‧‧‧Patcher 556‧‧‧Printed circuit board 558‧‧‧Fixed mount/mount 560‧‧‧opening 562‧‧‧opening 563‧‧‧Essentially rigid frame/frame 564‧‧‧top surface 566‧‧‧Front surface 568‧‧‧Concave 570‧‧‧Additional sensors/sensors 572‧‧‧Input device 600‧‧‧Example Rotary Controls/Rotary Controls 602‧‧‧external part 604‧‧‧Top 605‧‧‧central axis 606‧‧‧Grip 608‧‧‧Indicator/Indicator number 610‧‧‧internal part 612‧‧‧Essentially dished plates/plates 614‧‧‧Input device 616‧‧‧Spacer 618‧‧‧distal part 620‧‧‧proximal part 622‧‧‧Optical components/ring optical components 624‧‧‧Essentially rigid frames/frames 626‧‧‧Essentially dish-shaped base/base 628‧‧‧Essentially annular ring/circle 630‧‧‧Essentially annular ring/circle 632‧‧‧opening 634‧‧‧shelves 636‧‧‧Printed circuit board 638‧‧‧Light-emitting diodes/corresponding light-emitting diodes 640‧‧‧top surface 642‧‧‧encoder 644‧‧‧base 646‧‧‧Spirit 648‧‧‧opening

Embodiments are explained with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the left-most digit(s) of a component number identifies the figure in which the component number first appears. The same reference symbols in different drawings indicate similar or equivalent items.

Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary piece of athletic equipment as disclosed herein, showing a user.

2 is a rear perspective view of another exemplary piece of athletic equipment as disclosed herein.

3 is a rear perspective view of a portion of another exemplary piece of athletic equipment as disclosed herein.

4 is a rear perspective view of yet another exemplary piece of athletic equipment as disclosed herein, showing a user.

5 is a diagram showing an exemplary exercise equipment as disclosed herein, including exemplary information displayed on a display screen, a personal digit device, and diagrams of weights and other accessory devices.

6 is a rear view of yet another exemplary piece of athletic equipment as disclosed herein.

7 is a rear perspective view of yet another exemplary piece of athletic equipment as disclosed herein, showing a user.

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

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

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

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

Figure 12 illustrates an exemplary user interface of the present invention including information related to a featured exercise program.

FIG. 13 illustrates another example user interface of the present invention that includes information related to a featured exercise program.

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

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

16 illustrates yet another example user interface of the present invention showing an exercise program and a scorecard.

17 illustrates yet another example user interface of the present invention showing an exercise program and a scorecard.

Figure 18 illustrates another example user interface of the present invention displaying an exercise class and a leaderboard.

FIG. 19 illustrates another example user interface of the present invention including information related to a just run user experience.

20 illustrates yet another example user interface of the present invention that includes information related to a scenic running route associated with a running user experience.

21 illustrates yet another example user interface of the present invention that includes race-related information associated with a running user experience.

FIG. 22 illustrates another example user interface of the present invention that includes performance information associated with a particular athletic session.

FIG. 23 illustrates another example user interface of the present invention that includes performance information associated with a particular athletic session.

24 illustrates yet another example user interface of the present invention that includes performance information associated with a particular athletic program.

Figure 25 illustrates an exercise machine according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 illustrates an exploded view of the example athletic equipment shown in FIG. 25. FIG.

FIG. 27 illustrates a conveyor belt associated with the example athletic equipment shown in FIG. 25 .

FIG. 28 illustrates a plank associated with the example athletic equipment shown in FIG. 25 .

29 illustrates another view of the example athletic 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 athletic equipment shown in FIG. 25 .

31 illustrates an exploded view of a rotary control associated with the example athletic equipment shown in FIG. 25 .

32 illustrates another view of the example athletic equipment shown in FIG. 25 including a first rotary control and a second rotary control.

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

34 illustrates another view of the example exercise 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 exercise equipment shown in FIG. 25 including a substantially linear control.

Figure 36 provides an isometric view of an exemplary piece of athletic equipment according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 provides another isometric view of the example athletic equipment shown in FIG. 36 .

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

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

FIG. 40 provides an exploded view of the example rotary control shown in FIG. 39 .

FIG. 41 provides an isometric view of another control associated with the exercise equipment shown in FIG. 36 .

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

104‧‧‧display

110‧‧‧Upper assembly

112‧‧‧Platform

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

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

132‧‧‧cross bar

138‧‧‧bracket

148‧‧‧Digital hardware

500‧‧‧Example sports equipment/treadmill/sports equipment/equipment

502a‧‧‧end cover

502b‧‧‧end cover

504a‧‧‧arm

504b‧‧‧arm

506‧‧‧crossbar/first crossbar

514‧‧‧crossbar/second crossbar

516‧‧‧control parts

518‧‧‧Magnetic connector

520‧‧‧Input device

522‧‧‧Pallet

524‧‧‧Gap

526‧‧‧Infinite wheel type rotary control / rotary control

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

Claims (16)

A treadmill comprising: a base supporting a conveyor belt; a first post extending from the base; a second post extending from the base opposite the first post; a first arm supported by the first post; a first rotational control member disposed on the first arm, the first rotational control member comprising an inner portion, a detent, a substantially horizontal first central axis , and an outer portion rotatable about the first central axis relative to the inner portion, the detent configured to provide a user with the treadmill when rotating the outer portion about the first central axis tactile feedback; and a second arm, which is opposite to the first arm and supported by the second post; and a second rotary control, which is disposed on the second arm and independent of the first rotary control , wherein: 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 , the outer portion of the first rotary control includes an indicator configured such that rotation of the outer portion produces proportional temporary illumination of at least part of the indicator, the proportional temporary illumination indicating that the outer portion surrounds the The degree of rotation of the first central axis, and the inner portion of the first rotary control includes an input device configured to control a first function of the treadmill as distinct from the first function and the second function. Three functions. The treadmill according to claim 1, further comprising a first crossbar extending from the first arm to the second arm and a crossbar extending from the first arm to the second arm opposite to the first crossbar. A second crossbar including a third control configured to stop rotation of the conveyor belt. 2. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the first function includes a rotational speed of the conveyor belt, and the second function includes a slope of the base with respect to a support surface on which the treadmill rests. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the detent is configured to at least partially limit rotation of the outer portion about the first central axis. The treadmill of claim 1, wherein the first rotary control includes a carrier, the outer portion rotatably connected to the carrier and a printed circuit board connected to the carrier, and wherein the outer portion is relative to the carrier The rotation of causes a component of the printed circuit board to transmit a corresponding first signal to a controller of the treadmill. The treadmill of claim 5, wherein the input device is configured to receive an input, and receiving the input causes the component of the printed circuit board to transmit a corresponding second signal to the controller. The treadmill of claim 4, wherein the outer portion contacts the detent when the outer portion rotates about the first central axis; and The detent corresponds to a desired incremental change of the first function of the treadmill. A treadmill comprising: a controller; a first motor operatively connected to the controller; a second motor independent of the first motor and operatively connected to the controller; a bottom a table supporting a conveyor belt; a first arm extending substantially parallel to the base; a second arm opposite the first arm and extending substantially parallel to the base; a first rotational control A member, which is disposed on the first arm and is operatively connected to the controller, the first rotary control member includes an inner portion, a detent, a first central axis, and can be opposed about the first central axis an outer portion as the inner portion rotates, the detent configured to provide tactile feedback to a user of the treadmill as the user rotates the outer portion about the first central axis; and a second rotational control , which is independent of the first rotary control and is operatively connected to the controller, the second rotary control is disposed on the second arm, wherein: the first rotary control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill associated with a motor, and the second rotary control is configured to control a second function of the treadmill associated with the second motor, the second function being different from the For a first function, the outer portion of the first rotary control includes an indicator configured such that rotation of the outer portion produces proportional temporary illumination of at least part of the indicator, the proportional temporary illumination indicating that the outer the degree of rotation of part about the first central axis, and the inner portion of the first rotary control includes an input device via configured to control a third function of the treadmill different from the first function and the second function. 8. The treadmill of claim 8, wherein the first function includes a rotational speed of a continuous track of the treadmill, and the second function includes a slope of the base with respect to a support surface on which the treadmill is placed. The treadmill of claim 8, wherein the second rotary control member includes the outer portion rotatable about a second central axis of the second rotary control member. The treadmill of claim 8, further comprising a third control independent of the first rotary control and the second rotary control, the third control being operatively connected to the controller and configured To stop the rotation of a continuous track of the treadmill. The treadmill according to claim 8, further comprising a crossbar and a display, the crossbar extends from the first arm to the second arm, the display is at least partly supported by the crossbar. The treadmill of claim 8, wherein: the detent is configured to at least partially limit rotation of the outer portion about the first central axis; when the outer portion rotates about the first central axis, the outer portion contacts the detent; and the detent corresponds to a desired incremental change of one of the first functions of the treadmill. A method of manufacturing a treadmill, comprising: providing an upper assembly including a first arm, a second arm opposite the first arm, and extending from the first arm to the second arm. A first crossbar of one of the two arms; connecting a first rotary control member to the first arm, the first rotary control member comprising: a first inner portion including an input device, a detent, a central axis , and a first outer portion that is rotatable about the central axis relative to the first inner portion, the detent configured to give the first outer portion when a user of the treadmill rotates the first outer portion about the central axis A user provides tactile feedback; a second rotary control is connected to the second arm, the second rotary control includes a second outer portion rotatable relative to the second arm; and the first rotary control and the second rotary control is operatively connected to a controller of the treadmill, wherein: the first rotary control is configured to control a first function of the treadmill via the controller, and the first Two rotary controls are configured to control a second function of the treadmill different from the first function via the controller, the first outer portion of the first rotary control includes an indicator, the indicator configured such that rotation of the first outer portion produces at least partial commensurate temporary illumination of the indicator indicating the degree of rotation of the first outer portion about the central axis and the input of the first inner portion The device is configured to control a third function of the treadmill distinct from the first function and the second function. The method of claim 14, further comprising connecting a third control to the first crossbar, wherein the third control is operatively connected to the controller of the treadmill, configured to The device controls a third function of the treadmill, and the third function is different from the first function and the second function. The method of claim 14, wherein: the detent is configured to at least partially limit rotation of the first outer portion about the central axis; when the first outer portion rotates about the central axis, the first outer portion touching the detent; and the detent corresponds to a desired incremental change of one of the first functions of the treadmill.

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