Interactive fitness equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular fitness device consisting of a stationary fitness device with a video display mounted thereon, an electronic media interface and an exercise sensor. The interface enables connection of the display to one or more of a variety of electronic media, including PC, video/audio recorder, set top box, games console etc. Preferably, a connection to the internet can be provided. User interfaces for control of the device can include a combination of voice-activation, a touch mouse pad or a keyboard movably attached to the device.

1 . A modular fitness device comprising: 
 a stationary exercise device;    a video display monitor mounted on the exercise device; and    an electronic media interface mounted on the exercise device.    
     
     
         2 . The modular fitness device of  claim 1 , and further comprising: 
 an exercise sensor mounted on the exercise device, for generating signals corresponding to an exercise condition; and    the electronic media interface for receiving the signals from the exercise sensor.    
     
     
         3 . The modular fitness device of  claim 2 , wherein the exercise sensor generates signals corresponding to a plurality of exercise conditions.  
     
     
         4 . The modular fitness device of  claim 2 , wherein the exercise sensor is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a tachometer;    a heart rate monitor;    an odometer;    a variable resistance mechanism;    belt speed monitor;    tilt monitor; and    torque sensor.    
     
     
         5 . The modular fitness device of  claim 2 , wherein the electronic media interface further comprises an activity-based controller for processing exercise condition signals and generating exercise device control signals.  
     
     
         6 . The modular fitness device of  claim 5 , wherein the activity-based controller includes a programmable operator interface.  
     
     
         7 . The modular fitness device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to an Internet site.  
     
     
         8 . The modular fitness device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to a digital playback device.  
     
     
         9 . The modular fitness device of  claim 1 , and further comprising: 
 a data processor in signal communication with the electronic media interface.    
     
     
         10 . The modular fitness device of  claim 1 , and further comprising: 
 a voice-activated operator input.    
     
     
         11 . The modular fitness device of  claim 1 , and further comprising: 
 a second display monitor mountable on an exercise device.    
     
     
         12 . The modular fitness device of  claim 1 , wherein the video display monitor is a flat screen television.  
     
     
         13 . The modular fitness device of  claim 1 , and further comprising: 
 a touch mouse pad mounted on the exercise device.    
     
     
         14 . The modular fitness device of  claim 1 , and further comprising: 
 a keyboard movably attached to the exercise device.    
     
     
         15 . A modular fitness device comprising: 
 an exercise sensor mountable to an exercise device, for generating exercise signals corresponding to an exercise condition; and    an electronic media interface for receiving the signals from the exercise sensor.    
     
     
         16 . The modular fitness device of  claim 15 , wherein the exercise sensor generates signals corresponding to a plurality of exercise conditions.  
     
     
         17 . The modular fitness device of  claim 15 , wherein the exercise sensor is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a tachometer;    a heart rate monitor;    an odometer;    a variable resistance mechanism;    belt speed monitor;    tilt monitor; and    torque sensor.    
     
     
         18 . The modular fitness device of  claim 15 , wherein the electronic media interface further comprises an activity-based controller for processing exercise condition signals and generating exercise device control signals.  
     
     
         19 . The modular fitness device of  claim 18 , wherein the activity-based controller is a programmable operator interface.  
     
     
         20 . The modular fitness device of  claim 15 , wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to an Internet site where the signals from the exercise sensor are analyzed.  
     
     
         21 . The modular fitness device of  claim 15 , wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to a data display unit.  
     
     
         22 . The modular fitness device of  claim 15 , and further comprising: 
 a data processor in signal communication with the electronic media interface.    
     
     
         23 . The modular fitness device of  claim 15 , and further comprising: 
 an voice-activated operator input.    
     
     
         24 . The modular fitness device of  claim 15 , and further comprising: 
 a second display monitor mountable on the exercise device.    
     
     
         25 . The modular fitness device of  claim 15 , wherein the video display monitor is a flat screen television.  
     
     
         26 . The modular fitness device of  claim 15 , and further comprising: 
 a touch mouse pad mounted on the exercise device.    
     
     
         27 . The modular fitness device of  claim 15 , and further comprising: 
 a keyboard movably attached to the exercise device.    
     
     
         28 . A modular fitness device comprising: 
 a stationary exercise device;    a video display monitor mounted on the exercise device;    an electronic media interface mounted on the exercise device;    an exercise sensor mounted on the stationary exercise device, for generating signals corresponding to an exercise condition; and    a voice-activated operator input for controlling electronic media.    
     
     
         29 . The modular fitness device of  claim 28 , wherein the exercise sensor generates signals corresponding to a plurality of exercise conditions.  
     
     
         30 . The modular fitness device of  claim 28 , wherein the exercise sensor is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a tachometer;    a heart rate monitor;    an odometer;    a variable resistance mechanism;    belt speed monitor;    tilt monitor; and    torque sensor.    
     
     
         31 . The modular fitness device of  claim 28 , wherein the electronic media interface further comprises an activity-based controller for processing exercise condition signals and generating exercise device control signals.  
     
     
         32 . The modular fitness device of  claim 31 , wherein the activity-based controller includes a programmable operator interface.  
     
     
         33 . The modular fitness device of  claim 28 , wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to an Internet site.  
     
     
         34 . The modular fitness device of  claim 28 , wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to a digital playback device.  
     
     
         35 . The modular fitness device of  claim 28 , and further comprising: 
 a data processor in signal communication with the electronic media interface.    
     
     
         36 . The modular fitness device of  claim 28 , and further comprising: 
 a second display monitor mountable on the exercise device.    
     
     
         37 . The modular fitness device of  claim 28 , wherein the video display monitor is a flat screen television.  
     
     
         38 . The modular fitness device of  claim 28 , and further comprising: 
 a touch mouse pad mounted on the exercise device.    
     
     
         39 . The modular fitness device of  claim 28 , and further comprising: 
 a keyboard movably attached to the exercise device.    
     
     
         40 . A modular fitness device comprising: 
 a stationary exercise device;    a video display monitor mounted on the exercise device;    an electronic media interface mounted on the exercise device;    an exercise sensor mounted on the stationary device, for generating signals corresponding to an exercise condition;    a voice-activated operator input for controlling electronic media; and    a personal computer mounted on the exercise device, the personal computer including digital data drives.    
     
     
         41 . The modular fitness device of  claim 40 , wherein the exercise sensor generates signals corresponding to a plurality of exercise conditions.  
     
     
         42 . The modular fitness device of  claim 40 , wherein the exercise sensor is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a tachometer;    a heart rate monitor;    an odometer;    a variable resistance mechanism;    belt speed monitor;    tilt monitor; and    torque sensor.    
     
     
         43 . The modular fitness device of  claim 40 , wherein the electronic media interface further comprises an activity-based controller for processing exercise condition signals and generating exercise device control signals.  
     
     
         44 . The modular fitness device of  claim 43 , wherein the activity-based controller includes a programmable operator interface.  
     
     
         45 . The modular fitness device of  claim 40 , wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to an Internet site.  
     
     
         46 . The modular fitness device of  claim 40 , wherein the electronic media interface can be coupled to a digital playback device.  
     
     
         47 . The modular fitness device of  claim 40 , and further comprising: 
 a data processor in signal communication with the electronic media interface.    
     
     
         48 . The modular fitness device of  claim 40 , and further comprising: 
 a second display monitor mountable on the exercise device.    
     
     
         49 . The modular fitness device of  claim 40 , wherein the video display monitor is a flat screen television.  
     
     
         50 . The modular fitness device of  claim 40 , and further comprising: 
 a touch mouse pad mounted on the exercise device.    
     
     
         51 . The modular fitness device of  claim 40 , and further comprising: 
 a keyboard movably attached to the exercise device.