Audio-visual education system actuated via physical activity device

Abstract

An education system, especially for children, includes an audio/visual (A/V) system and a physical activity or exercise device that is in communication with the A/V system. The A/V system is operative only when the physical activity or exercise device is being used, irrespective of any particular level of use thereof. The A/V system is operative to provide only educational content/material when used. The A/V system is in communication with a plurality of educational content/material sources. Various types of physical activity or exerciser devices may be used.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An audio-visual education system comprising: 
 an exercise device configured to accommodate children, the exercise device being variably adjustable with respect to size to accommodate various sizes of children; and    an audio-visual system in communication with said exercise device and operative to play only educational content only when said exercise device is being used by a child irrespective of a level of use thereof.    
     
     
         2 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 1 , wherein said exercise device comprises a treadmill.  
     
     
         3 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 2 , wherein said treadmill is manual.  
     
     
         4 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 2 , wherein said treadmill is automatic.  
     
     
         5 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 4 , wherein said treadmill further comprises a controller operative to automatically control said automatic treadmill.  
     
     
         6 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 1 , wherein said exercise device comprises a pedal assembly.  
     
     
         7 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 6 , wherein said pedal assembly provides variable resistance.  
     
     
         8 . An audio-visual education system comprising: 
 an exercise device adjustably configured to accommodate children of various statures, said exercise device including a switching mechanism operative to provide a start signal when said exercise device is being used irrespective of any level of use thereof, and a stop signal when said exercise device is not in use; and    an audio-visual system in communication with said exercise device and operative to provide only educational material when said start signal is received and to cease providing the educational material when said stop signal is received.    
     
     
         9 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 8 , wherein said exercise device comprises a treadmill.  
     
     
         10 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 9 , wherein said exercise device includes a controller that is operative to automatically control said treadmill.  
     
     
         11 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 9 , wherein said treadmill includes height adjustable handrails.  
     
     
         12 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 8 , wherein said exercise device comprises a pedal assembly.  
     
     
         13 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 11 , wherein said pedal assembly is variably adjustable in resistance.  
     
     
         14 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 8 , wherein said exercise device is operative to provide said stop signal after a predetermined period of non-use of said exercise device.  
     
     
         15 . An audio-visual education system comprising: 
 an exercise device adjustably configurable to accommodate only children of various statures, said exercise device having electronic circuitry operative to provide a start signal upon mere use of said exercise device irrespective of any level of use thereof and to provide a stop signal upon cessation of use of said exercise device; and    an audio-visual system including a display and in communication with a source of educational material, said audio visual system operative to provide only educational material from said source of educational material only upon receipt of said start signal and to cease providing the educational material upon receipt of said stop signal.    
     
     
         16 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 15 , wherein said source of education material comprises one of a DVD player, a satellite television signal receiver, a cable television signal receiver, a VTR player, a database, and the Internet.  
     
     
         17 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 15 , wherein said electronic circuitry is operative to provide said stop signal after a predetermined period of non-use of said exercise device.  
     
     
         18 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 15 , wherein said exercise device comprises a treadmill operative in a manual mode and an automatic mode.  
     
     
         19 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 18 , wherein said exercise device further includes a controller operative to provide automatic control of said treadmill.  
     
     
         20 . The audio-visual education system of  claim 15 , wherein said exercise device is a pedal device operative to provide variable resistance.