Zero-learning-curve exercise console
Contents
1. a user through programming steps of an exercise console in accordance with the invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 0029 It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations Thus the following more detailed description of the embodiments of apparatus and methods in accordance with the present invention as represented in the Figures is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed but is merely representative of certain examples of presently contemplated embodiments in accordance with the invention The presently described embodiments will be best understood by reference to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout 0030 Referring to FIG 1 an exercise device 10 in accordance with the invention may include a frame 12 or other structure 12 and an exercise console 14 substantially rigidly attached to the frame 12 As previously mentioned an exercise console 14 typically enables a user to perform tasks such as to program control and monitor progress on an exercise device 10 Although illustrated as a stationary bicycle in this example an exercise device 10 in accordance with the invention may include a wide variety of different devices including but not limited to stationary bicycles treadmills el2. console of claim 12 wherein the indi cators are lights located away from a user area substantially beyond the buttons 16 The exercise console of claim 10 wherein the input options include at least one of selecting a workout program selecting a workout level setting a workout time and setting a user weight 17 The exercise console of claim 10 wherein the exercise console is configured to wait a specified period to allow a user to select one of the input options 18 The exercise console of claim 17 wherein the exercise console is configured to modify the input options available for next selection in the event that the user fails to select one of the input options within the specified period 19 An apparatus comprising an exercise machine and an exercise console coupled to the exercise machine the exercise console comprising a housing a substantially fixed array of buttons incorporated into the housing the buttons providing to the user a plurality of input options each input option select able in a pre determined sequence by operation of the buttons and effective to program the exercise console thereby and a plurality of indicators associated with the buttons each indicator corresponding to a button and inform ing the user which input options are next available for selection after selection by the user of at least one input option 20 The exercise device of claim 19 wherein the exercise machine is selected
3. heights may use the same device For example if a separate pivoting LCD were attached to the top of an exercise console this configuration would be expensive cumbersome require multiple components and obstruct a user s field of view This could also affect the affordability and market competitiveness of an exercise device in an industry where there are significant pressures to keep costs low Sep 27 2007 0008 Another problem with modem processor based equipment and controllers including exercise consoles is the learning curve often needed to operate and use such devices It is difficult for users to learn how to use the unique programming scheme let alone recall it when needed That is as the sophistication of control consoles increases the complexity of operation often likewise increases Where buttons are provided on the exercise console it may be time consuming for a user to determine which buttons to push and the order in which to push them Furthermore a user may not have the time or patience to read and refer repeatedly to a user manual Likewise using exercise time to read through instructions printed in a small font at an awkward distance on the device or an associated exercise console may be considered a waste This can be especially frustrating for the technologically challenged or phobic or the user who switches between different exercise devices at aclub This may also discourage some from exercising at all due to
4. 14 may again wait a specified period e g three seconds and the enter button 30d may begin to flash to indicate to the user that this is the appropriate next selection The user may then select the enter button 30d in accordance with this indication to enter the selected level 0056 Referring to FIG 8B once the enter button 30d is selected the arrow buttons 305 30cmay again begin to flash to urge the user to select a workout time for the workout program For example arrow buttons 305 30c may increment or decrement some control parameter like the workout time in intervals such as one minute intervals Once the desired time is selected the user may press the enter button 30d to enter the selected time 0057 Referring to FIG 8C like the previous example if the user does not select the enter button 30d within the specified period e g three seconds the enter button 30d may flash to indicate that this is the appropriate next selection The user may then select the enter button 30d to enter the selected workout time 0058 Referring to FIG 8D once the enter button 30d is selected the arrow buttons 305 30c may again begin to flash to urge the user to enter the user s weight Once entered the user may press the enter button 30d or alternatively if the user does not select the enter button 30d within the specified Sep 27 2007 period e g three seconds the enter b
5. 30b 30c the user may scroll or otherwise navigate through various workout programs For example by using the arrows 30b 30c the user may change between a manual interval weight loss mountain race and target heart rate program Once the user has navigated to a desired program the user may immediately select the enter button 30d to select the desired program 0053 Alternatively referring to FIG 7C if the user does not select the enter button 30d the exercise console 10 may wait a specified period e g three seconds and the enter button 30d may begin to flash to indicate to the user that this is the appropriate next selection The user may then select the enter button 30d in accordance with this indication 0054 Referring to FIG 7D once the user has selected the enter button 30d the arrow buttons 30b 30c may again begin to flash to indicate to the user that he or she should select a workout or resistance level corresponding to the selected workout program For example by selecting the arrows the user may toggle between level L1 and L16 until the user reaches a desired level Like the previous example once the user has toggled to a desired workout or resistance level the user may select the enter button 30dto enter the level 9966 9966 0055 Alternatively referring to FIG 8A if the user does not select the enter button 30d the exercise console
6. US 20070225120A1 as United States a2 Patent Application Publication ao Pub No US 2007 0225120 A1 Schenk 43 Pub Date Sep 27 2007 54 ZERO LEARNING CURVE EXERCISE 52 USGL ors eee 482 4 482 902 CONSOLE 57 ABSTRACT 76 Inventor Peter Schenk Park City UT US An exercise console is disclosed as including a housing and a display incorporated into the housing The display is adapted to align substantially parallel to the top surface of the housing A tilt mechanism connects the display to the housing and is operable by a user to tilt the display to a nonparallel angle with respect to the housing In another aspect in accordance with the invention the exercise console 21 Appl No 11 389 878 includes a substantially fixed array of buttons incorporated into the housing The buttons provide to a user various input 22 Filed Mar 27 2006 options which are selectable in a pre determined sequence by operation of the buttons to program the exercise console Publication Classification Various indicators are associated with the buttons and inform the user which input options are next available for 51 Int Cl selection after the user has selected one or more input A63B 24 00 2006 01 options Correspondence Address PATE PIERCE amp BAIRD 215 SOUTH STATE STREET SUITE 550 PARKSIDE TOWER SALT LAKE CITY UT 84111 US Patent Application Publication Sep 27 2007 Sheet 1 of 10 US 2007 0225120 Al Patent App
7. a burden 0005 Typically a control console provides the primary means of interaction between a user and a functional device An exercise console may include input devices such as keypads keyboards buttons or the like to receive user input and thereby allow a user to program and control an exercise device An exercise console may also include a display device to display pertinent information such as workout progress program settings speed resistance levels and the like For example light emitting diode LED displays have been used in various devices to display information Such LED displays often include arrays or other arrangements of LEDs and provide a bright low power solution for displaying information However LED displays are limited by low resolution and very few available colors 0006 More recently newer displays such as liquid crys tal displays LCDs offer higher resolutions and greater arrays of available colors Moreover LCDs could be used to display entertainment such as television movies music videos and the like in addition to workout information Nevertheless LCDs also have their drawbacks For example LCDs may be significantly more expensive than LED displays less bright less contrasting more subject to glare and subject to a much narrower viewing angle 0007 Problems with the viewing angle may be especially pronounced in exercise devices used at gyms where patrons of different
8. amming process of an exercise console 14 The method 84 may then wait at a test 88 for a user to select the start button If a user selects the start button the method 84 then indicates 90 e g with flashing LEDs etc to the user the next available buttons 30 and corresponding input options The method 84 then waits at a test 92 for the user to select one or more of the next available input options If the user does select one or more of these input options the method 84 then starts 94 or restarts 94 a timer If an input US 2007 0225120 Al option is selected again within a specified period e g within three seconds at a test 96 the timer is restarted 94 However if the an input option is not selected again within the specified period the method 84 may then modify 98 the input options next available for selection 0064 The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its essence or essen tial characteristics The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restric tive The scope of the invention is therefore indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing descrip tion All changes within the meaning and range of equiva lency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope What is claimed is 1 A method for guiding a user through programming steps of an exercise console the method comprising providi
9. ating an integrated tilting dis play in accordance with the invention 0020 FIG 3 is a perspective view of the exercise console illustrated in FIG 2 with the display in a tilted position with respect to the top surface of the console 0021 FIGS 4A through 4D are side elevation views of different embodiments of tilting displays in accordance with the invention 0022 FIG 5A is a side elevation view of one embodi ment of an angle adjustment mechanism for use with an integrated tilting display in accordance with the invention 0023 FIG 5B is a cutaway cross sectional view of the angle adjustment mechanism illustrated in FIG 5A 0024 FIG 6 is a top plan view of an exercise console with an integrated tilting display in accordance with the invention 0025 FIGS 7A through 7D are schematic block dia grams illustrating one embodiment of a method for using backlit buttons to guide a user through programming steps of an exercise console 0026 FIGS 8A through 8D are schematic block dia grams illustrating additional details of a method for using backlit buttons to guide a user through programming steps of an exercise console 0027 FIG 9 is a high level schematic block diagram showing one embodiment of electronic hardware compo nents used to implement a method for guiding a user through programming steps of an exercise console and 0028 FIG 10 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a process for guiding
10. ay sit substan tially parallel with the top surface 38 of the housing 20 In certain embodiments the top surface 36 may also fit sub stantially flush with the top surface 38 of the housing 20 when in the stored position 0039 Because the display 22 may sweep over a substan tially circular path as it pivots about the hinge 32 in certain embodiments the display 22 may be provided with a rounded contour 40 Similarly the recess 34 may also be provided with a rounded contour 42 substantially conform ing to the display 22 These rounded contours 40 42 may allow a relatively close fit between the display 22 and the recess 34 while preventing interference between the two 0040 Referring to FIG 4B in another embodiment a tilt mechanism may be provided in the form of a slide 44 In one embodiment the slide 44 may include a land 46 incorpo rated into the display 22 that slides within a slot 48 incorporated into the housing 20 In another embodiment the land 46 may be incorporated into the housing 20 and the slot 48 may be incorporated into the display 22 The slide 44 may allow the display 22 to pivot about a selected point US 2007 0225120 Al whether located on the housing 20 or not simply by adjust ing the curvature or radius of the land 46 and slot 48 Although a single slide 44 is illustrated in this embodiment in other embodiments additional slides 44 may be inte grated into the display 22 and housing 20 to provide add
11. cond end 58 pivotally attached to the display 22 When the display 22 is in the stored position the pivoting support 54 may align substan tially parallel to the top surface 38 of the housing 20 However when the display 22 is titled relative to the top surface 38 of the housing 20 the pivoting support 54 may pivot upward to support the display 22 0044 In certain embodiments the display 22 may rest in various notches 60 grooves 60 or the like formed in the bottom of the recess 34 depending on the display angle desired by a user Unlike the tilt mechanisms described in FIGS 4A through 4C the tilt mechanism illustrated in FIG 4D allows the display 22 to pivot about multiple axes of rotation This dual axis embodiment allows the display 22 to maintain a relatively constant distance from the user even as the display is tilted to enhance the viewing angle of the user 0045 Referring to FIG 5A to allow the display 22 to maintain a desired viewing angle an adjustment mechanism 62 may be provided As previously mentioned an adjust ment mechanism 62 may allow continuous adjustment of the display 22 relative to the housing 20 or alternatively adjustment to discrete positions For example one embodi ment of an adjustment mechanism 62 may include a groove 64 or slot 64 formed in the display 22 This groove 64 may widen and or deepen at various locations as shown by the circular recesses 66 A corresponding circular projectio
12. echnologically unsophisticated or phobic user One cause of this problem is that different brands models and types of exercise devices 10 may use different buttons 30 use different labels on the buttons 30 require different inputs require a different order of inputs or the like Thus improved apparatus and methods are needed to guide a user through the steps needed to program an exercise device 10 thereby reducing the learning curve needed to operate a device 10 0051 FIGS 7A through 8D illustrate one embodiment of a method for guiding a user through the programming steps of an exercise console 14 The illustrated embodiment simply provides one example of a method in accordance with the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of US 2007 0225120 Al the invention as recited in the claims As illustrated in FIG 7A in one embodiment before a user begins the program ming process a start or reset button 30a may flash to indicate to the user that this button should be selected to start the programming process The user may then select this button 30a to begin the exercise console 14 programming process Once the user selects the start button 30a the exercise console 14 then determines the input options that are next available for selection 0052 For example referring to FIG 7B arrow buttons 305 30c may begin to flash to indicate that the user should select a workout program Using the arrow buttons
13. from the group consisting of a stationary bicycle a treadmill an elliptical machine a rowing machine a climbing machine a stair climbing machine a nautilus machine and a stretching machine
14. i tional stability For example a second slide 44 may be added closer to the upper ends 40 42 of the display 22 and housing 20 0041 Referring to FIG 4C in yet another embodiment the display 22 may be enlarged to form a panel covering a significant portion of the housing 20 Such an enlarged panel may be used to accommodate a larger display screen 23 additional LEDs or the like As can be appreciated a larger display screen 23 may be used to display more content including workout information and entertainment In certain embodiments the display 22 may attach to the housing 20 and pivot with respect thereto using a hinge 32 To maintain the angle and position of the display 22 the hinge 32 may employ a friction mechanism or clutch similar to those used on many laptop computers 0042 When ina stored position the display 22 may rest substantially against the housing 20 and the top surface 36 of the display 22 may align substantially parallel to the top surface 38 of the housing 20 Furthermore in certain embodiments the display 22 may be formed such that the display 22 and housing 20 provide a smooth contour That is a surface 50 of the display 22 and a surface 52 of the housing 20 may provide a smooth continuous contour 0043 Referring to FIG 4D in another embodiment the display 22 may be sustained by a pivoting support 54 The pivoting support 54 may include a first end 56 pivotally attached to the housing 20 and a se
15. ign compared to other alterna tives Furthermore the tilting display 22 also allows the housing 20 to be rigidly mounted to the frame 12 or other structure 12 of the exercise device 10 This allows the buttons 30 to remain substantially stationary even while the display 22 tilts to different angles 0037 The tilting nature of the display 22 may be used to significantly improve the visibility of content displayed on newer display screens 23 such as LCD screens 23 that are integrated into the display 22 This greatly improves the utility of the display 22 and may be used to increase the amounts and types of content displayed to a user For example in addition to workout information an LCD screen 23 may be used to display entertainment such as digital video cable or over the air television music videos news or many other types of video content In certain embodi ments both entertainment and workout information may be displayed simultaneously or a user may toggle between different kinds of content 0038 Referring to FIG 4A in one embodiment a dis play 22 in accordance with the invention may tilt with respect to the housing 20 using a hinge 32 The hinge 32 may be hidden from view inside the housing 20 and may be monolithically formed as part of the display 22 the housing 20 or a combination thereof In its stored position the display 22 may reside in a recess 34 formed in the housing 20 and a top surface 36 of the display 22 m
16. ime Period z 96 N Modify Next Available Input Options 98 _ Fig 10 US 2007 0225120 Al ZERO LEARNING CURVE EXERCISE CONSOLE BACKGROUND 0001 0002 This invention relates to exercise equipment and more particularly to display and control consoles for exer cise equipment such as treadmills and stationary bicycles 0003 2 Background 1 The Field of the Invention 0004 As in other industries designers in the exercise equipment industry face challenges if they try to incorporate modem technological advances into traditional exercise equipment which may include for example stationary bicycles treadmills elliptical machines rowing machines stair climbers nautilus machines and the like Compared to relatively simple devices of the past modem exercise devices now could incorporate many sophisticated comput ers and electronics but must often deal with the position and posture dictated by the user and the activity Technology could enable a user to perform tasks such as tailoring an exercise program to a user s fitness level selecting a pre ferred training method adjusting a device to a user s weight controlling speed monitoring body functions adjusting resistance and the like Moreover modem exercise devices could allow a user to track and monitor a user s progress on the device while exercising However access visibility and interaction need to be compatible with a user and not a distraction or
17. lication Publication Sep 27 2007 Sheet 2 of 10 US 2007 0225120 Al 14 Fig 2 Patent Application Publication Sep 27 2007 Sheet 3 of 10 US 2007 0225120 Al 14 Fig 3 Patent Application Publication Sep 27 2007 Sheet 4 of 10 US 2007 0225120 Al Patent Application Publication Sep 27 2007 Sheet 5 of 10 US 2007 0225120 Al Patent Application Publication Sep 27 2007 Sheet 6 of 10 US 2007 0225120 Al MANUAL O INTERVAL O WEIGHT LOSS O MOUNTAIN o RACE TARGET o HEART RATE WATTS CALORIES SPEED amp HEART RATE AVERAGE SPEED PROGRAM LEVEL RPM TIME DISTANCE WEIGHT O _Q e Fig 6 Patent Application Publication Sep 27 2007 Sheet 7 of 10 US 2007 0225120 Al RESISTANCE LEVEL 30a ome vide 30d N Fig 7C o 30b 30c Fig 7D Patent Application Publication Sep 27 2007 Sheet 8 of 10 US 2007 0225120 Al 30d 30d L KN Patent Application Publication Sep 27 2007 Sheet 9 of 10 US 2007 0225120 Al Exercise Console 14 Display 22 70 Control Module I O Port I O Port 18 80 Buttons Indicators 30 82 Fig 9 Patent Application Publication Sep 27 2007 Sheet 10 of 10 US 2007 0225120 Al Indicate Start Button 86 84 Start Button Selected 88 Y l Indicate Next Available Input Options 90 nput Options Selected 92 Y 94 Start Restart Timer Input Options Selected within T
18. liptical machines rowing machines climbing US 2007 0225120 Al machines stair climbing machines nautilus machines stretching machines and the like Thus an exercise console 14 as described herein may be used with a wide variety of different exercise devices 10 and not the just the illustrated device 10 0031 To keep costs down and improve the quality of the end product exercise devices 10 like many other devices may be mass produced Thus each device 10 may be substantially identical although some characteristics such as seat height 16 in this example may be adjusted to accommodate users of different heights and sizes Never theless each user may still interact with the device 10 differently For example users of different heights may view the exercise console 14 of a device 10 from a range 18 of different angles While this may not cause problems with LED displays this may limit the ability to view newer types of displays such as LCDs which may be more subject to glare and have a narrower viewing angle 0032 Referring to FIGS 2 and 3 in certain embodi ments an exercise console 14 in accordance with the inven tion may include a housing 20 and a display 22 integrated into the housing 20 The display 22 may be used to display a wide variety of information including but not limited to a user s workout program the current speed of a device 10 the distance a user has theoretically traveled on the device 10 the
19. n 68 may be formed in the housing 20 to slide along the groove 64 and come to rest in each of the circular recesses 66 Thus in this embodiment of an adjustment mechanism 62 the display 22 may be adjusted to various discrete positions Sep 27 2007 corresponding to the circular projection 68 coming to rest in each of the circular recesses 66 0046 FIG 5B illustrates a cutaway cross sectional view of the groove 64 the circular recesses 66 and the circular projection 68 described in association with FIG 5A As shown the circular projection 68 slides along the groove 64 and comes to rest in the circular recesses 66 As a user exerts force on the display 22 the circular projection 68 will pop out of a recess 66 slide along the groove 64 and pop into an adjacent recess 66 Because the display 22 and housing 20 are generally constructed of a flexible material such as plastic this flexibility allows the projection 68 to pop into and out of the recesses 66 In general such a detent may be formed in a variety of ways and may be configured to resist but accommodate movement upon the application of suffi cient force to deflect either the projection 68 recess 66 or both 0047 FIGS 5A and 5B illustrate one contemplated embodiment of an adjustment mechanism 62 in accordance with the invention One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize however that other adjustment mechanisms 62 may be suitable for use with the present inventi
20. ng a method like that disclosed with respect to FIG 7A through 8D Such a control module 70 may include among other components a CPU 72 memory 74 a timer 76 and the like the likes of which are well known to those of skill in the art Memory 74 may include for example ROM EEPROM RAM and the like to store executable code and operational data for implementing the above described method The control module 70 may also include one or more I O ports 78 to receive input from the exercise console buttons 30 and one or more I O ports 80 for turning on the LEDs 82 or other indicators 82 to notify the user of the buttons 30 and corresponding input options next available for selection Similarly one or more I O ports 83 may be used to output data to the display 22 0062 Various options and alternatives for each of the components 72 74 76 78 80 83 are available to those of skill in the art and may be provided for example by various off the shelf microcontrollers discrete components FPGAs ASICs or the like One of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that functionality for implementing the above disclosed method may be provided by hardware software firmware or combinations thereof 0063 Referring to FIG 10 one example of a method 84 for guiding a user through programming steps of an exercise console 14 may include indicating 86 to a user a start or other button the selection of which will initiate the pro gr
21. ng a substantially fixed array of buttons interactive with a user providing to the user a plurality of input options each selectable in a pre determined sequence by operation of the buttons and effective to program an exercise con sole thereby selecting by the user at least one input option from the plurality of input options determining which input options are available for selec tion by the user after selection of the at least one input option and automatically indicating to the user which buttons and associated input options are next available for selec tion 2 The method of claim 1 wherein the buttons are provided by an input device selected from the group con sisting of a keyboard a keypad a console and a housing for mounting equipment 3 The method of claim 1 wherein automatically indicat ing comprises at least one of turning on a light playing a sound and changing a color to indicate which input options are available for selection 4 The method of claim 3 wherein the light is an LED 5 The method of claim 3 wherein the light is a flashing light 6 The method of claim 1 wherein automatically indicat ing comprises backlighting the buttons next available for selection 7 The method of claim 1 wherein the input options include at least one of selecting a workout program select ing a workout level setting a workout time and setting a user weight 8 The method of claim 1 further comprising
22. on For example an adjustment mechanism 62 employing a simple thumbscrew not shown may be used to adjust the angle of the display 22 The thumbscrew may be loosened to adjust the display 22 and tightened to lock the display 22 in place This provides a continuous means of adjustment 0048 In another embodiment a hinge 32 comprising a friction mechanism or clutch may be used in place of the adjustment mechanism 62 illustrated in FIGS 5A and 5B This also provides a continuous means of adjustment Other types or variations of adjustment mechanisms 62 may also be used and are within the scope of the invention 0049 Referring to FIG 6 as previously mentioned an exercise console 14 may provide a substantially fixed array of buttons 30 for operation by a user These buttons 30 may provide a user various input options which are selectable in a pre determined sequence by operation of the buttons 30 For example in the illustrated embodiment the buttons 30 may provide input options such as enter scan select start reset and arrows for adjusting resistance levels a workout program selected workout level workout time a speed user weight or the like In order to program the exercise console 14 the user selects the correct buttons 30 and selects them in the correct order 0050 Nevertheless even where very few buttons 30 are involved this process can be confusing and time consum ing especially for the t
23. r 0014 In another aspect of an embodiment in accordance with the invention a method for guiding a user through programming steps of an exercise console includes provid ing a substantially fixed array of buttons for interaction with a user The buttons provide various input options to the user selectable in a pre determined sequence by operation of the buttons to program an exercise console The method further includes selecting by the user one or more input options from the several input options The method then determines which input options are available for selection by the user after selection of the one or more input options Once this determination is made the method then automatically indi cates to the user which buttons and associated input options are next available for selection 0015 In another aspect of an embodiment in accordance with the invention an exercise console includes a housing and a substantially fixed array of buttons incorporated into the housing The buttons provide a user various input options which are selectable in a pre determined sequence by operation of the buttons The selected sequence of input options are used to program the exercise console Various indicators are associated with the buttons and inform the user which input options are next available for selection after the user has selected one or more input options 0016 The indicators may include for example lights sounds or changing colo
24. rs to indicate which input options are available for selection Where lights are used the lights may be LEDs and may be flashing to get the user s attention In certain embodiments the lights may be located substan tially behind the buttons i e backlighting the buttons projecting through the buttons beside them or illuminating the front Buttons may be opaque translucent transparent reflective or the like In certain embodiments the exercise console may be configured to wait a specified period to allow a user to select one of the input options If the user does not act within the specified period the exercise console may be configured to modify the input options available for next selection BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 0017 The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims taken in con junction with the accompanying drawings Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments in accordance with the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which 0018 FIG 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an exercise device in accordance with the invention Sep 27 2007 0019 FIG 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an exercise console incorpor
25. the inconvenience involved in getting a device to serve them 0009 In view of the foregoing what is needed is an exercise console that takes advantage of newer LCD tech nology while avoiding many of the shortcomings discussed herein Specifically an exercise console is needed that can incorporate LCD technology while accommodating users of different heights Such a device would ideally be inexpen sive simple and adaptable to accommodate a user s field of view 0010 Further needed are apparatus and methods for reducing the learning curve needed to operate and use many exercise consoles Where buttons are used on an exercise console apparatus and methods are needed for quickly indicating to a user which buttons to push and the order to push them Such apparatus and methods would ideally minimize the amount of time and reading needed to program and operate a device and accommodate the technologically inexperienced challenged or phobic BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 0011 Consistent with the foregoing and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein an exercise console is disclosed in one embodiment in accordance with the invention as including a housing and a display incorporated into the housing The display is adapted to align substantially parallel to the top surface of the housing A tilt mechanism connects the display to the housing and is operable by a user to tilt the display
26. time a user has been working out body functions e g heart rate of a user resistance levels of a device 10 or energy expended to name just a few For the purposes of this description the term display is used to mean not only a display screen 23 such as an LCD screen but also any area 24 frame 24 or the like surrounding a display screen 23 This area 24 may in certain embodiments include other display elements including but not limited to LEDs 26 written materials seven segment LED displays 28 or the like 0033 The exercise console 14 may also include an array of buttons 30 incorporated into the housing 20 For the purposes of this description the term button means any type of physical button including but not limited to keys on a keyboard or keypad switches or buttons incorporated into a housing of equipment The buttons 30 may provide various input options to a user which may be selectable in a pre determined sequence to program the exercise console 14 0034 In accordance with the invention a display 22 may independently tilt with respect to the housing 20 to accom modate users of different heights or positions For example in one contemplated embodiment the display 22 may sit within a recess or void formed in the housing 20 In a stored position the display 22 may reside substantially parallel to a top surface of the housing 20 as illustrated in FIG 2 In an extended position the display 22 may tilt
27. to a nonparallel angle with respect to the housing 0012 The tilt mechanism may incorporate a number of different structures to provide the tilting function including for example a hinge a pin a slide a land or the like Similarly in selected embodiments the tilt mechanism may tilt the display about a single axis of rotation In other embodiments the tilt mechanism may tilt the display about multiple axes of rotation In certain embodiments the exer cise console may also include an adjustment mechanism to adjust the angle of the display with respect to the housing This adjustment mechanism may be continuously adjustable between various positions or alternatively be adjustable at discrete positions The exercise console may also include a handle integrated into the display to facilitate tilting by a user US 2007 0225120 Al 0013 In another aspect of an embodiment in accordance with the invention a method for displaying exercise and entertainment content to a user includes providing a housing and incorporating a display into the housing The display aligns substantially parallel to the top surface of the housing The method further includes connecting the display to the housing by way of a tilt mechanism The tilt mechanism is operable by a user to tilt the display to a nonparallel angle with respect to the housing The nonparallel angle may be completely arbitrary continuously variable or discrete and at the option of a use
28. to a non parallel position with respect to the top surface of the housing 20 as illustrated in FIG 3 In certain embodiments a handle 32 such as a tab or flange may be integrated into the display 22 to facilitate tilting by a user 0035 By adjusting the angle of the display 22 appropri ately the display 22 may be adjusted to accommodate most if not all users Moreover as will be explained in more detail hereafter an adjustment mechanism may be provided to allow the display 22 to be adjusted continuously to any intermediate position between a stored position and an Sep 27 2007 extended position Alternatively the display 22 may be adjusted to discrete positions between a stored position and an extended position 0036 The tilting display illustrated in FIGS 2 and 3 provides various significant advantages over other systems For example because the display 22 is integrated into the housing 20 the console 14 may be manufactured as a single component or assembly This may reduce costs compared to systems where a separate LCD or other display is mounted to the top of the exercise console 14 or the exercise device 10 Furthermore the integrated design of the display 22 preserves a user s field of vision around the exercise device 10 compared to systems where a separate LCD or other display is mounted to the top of the exercise console 14 obstructing vision The integrated display 22 also provides a compact and attractive des
29. utton 30d may flash to indicate that this is the appropriate next selection The user may then select the enter button 30d to enter the user s weight in accordance with this indication 0059 The method described with respect to FIGS 7A through 8D uses flashing backlit buttons 30 as indicators to guide the user through the programming steps of the exercise console 14 These backlit buttons 30 may be provided by LEDs or other lights located behind the buttons 30 Accordingly the buttons 30 may be made from a transparent or translucent material to allow the light to pass through the buttons 30 Even so other indicators or varia tions thereof may be used to lead a user through the programming steps 0060 For example instead of lighting up the buttons 30 may change color or sounds may play to indicate a button 30 is next available for selection Similarly instead of back lighting the buttons 30 LED s or other lights located proxi mate the buttons 30 may light up to indicate the buttons 30 are available for next selection Thus a method for guiding a user through the programming steps of an exercise console 14 may use other automated indicators events or both to help guide the user Any and all indicators that can be used to implement such a method are within the scope of the present invention 0061 Referring to FIG 9 in one embodiment an exer cise console 14 may include a control module 70 for implementi
30. waiting a specified period to determine whether a user has selected one of the input options next available for selection 9 The method of claim 8 further comprising modifying the input options next available for selection in the event that the user fails to select one of the input options after the specified period Sep 27 2007 10 An exercise console comprising a housing a substantially fixed array of buttons incorporated into the housing the buttons providing to the user a plurality of input options each input option selectable in a pre determined sequence by operation of the buttons and effective to program the exercise console thereby and a plurality of indicators associated with the buttons each indicator corresponding to a button and informing the user which input options are next available for selection after selection by the user of at least one input option 11 The exercise console of claim 10 wherein the buttons are provided by an input device selected from the group consisting of a keyboard a keypad a console and a housing for mounting equipment 12 The exercise console of claim 10 wherein the indi cators are selected from the group consisting of lights sounds and changing colors to indicate which input options are available for selection 13 The exercise console of claim 12 wherein the lights are LEDs 14 The exercise console of claim 12 wherein the lights are flashing lights 15 The exercise
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