Exercising apparatus including embedded mutimedia computer system

Abstract

An exercising apparatus includes a fully functional, stand-alone computer system fixed to the frame in a tiltable manner allowing adjustments to better view a display screen. The display is an approximately letter-sized Super VGA LCD and is waterproof, is touch operable, and provides the control interface between the user and the computer. The exercising apparatus includes an embedded operating system and additional programs in flash memory and is able to use a mass produced operating system to benefit from user familiarity and a large range of available programs and functionality. The exercising apparatus also includes full multimedia support and if equipped with sensors and software, can provide user physical status information and entertainment programs simultaneously. The computer system is able to function independently or interface with a LAN or the Internet via a wired or a wireless connection.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An exercising apparatus comprising: 
 a frame;    at least one surface of the frame moveable for receiving and resisting user generated forces;    a computer fixed to a surface of the frame;    a flash memory;    a computer operating system embedded within the flash memory for controlling the computer; and    a touch operable display device fixed to the frame providing an interface between the user and the computer;    
     
     
         2 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the computer is capable of providing and displaying real-time user physical status information.  
     
     
         3 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the computer is capable of displaying personalized physical fitness training video or personalized physical fitness information on the display device.  
     
     
         4 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the computer is capable of displaying user selected entertainment video and information on the display device.  
     
     
         5 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the amount of flash memory is at least 32 MB.  
     
     
         6 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the computer consumes less than 8 watts of power when utilizing a local area network or Ethernet cable connection.  
     
     
         7 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the computer is capable of being fully powered by an internal battery power, by power originating from an external source, or by power generated by the motions of the user.  
     
     
         8 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the display device is a Super-VGA LCD display.  
     
     
         9 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the display device is waterproof.  
     
     
         10 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the display device is tiltable.  
     
     
         11 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the computer is capable of wireless communication using an 802.11b or 802.11a wireless LAN protocol.  
     
     
         12 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the computer is capable of internet access.  
     
     
         13 . An exercising apparatus comprising: 
 a frame;    at least one surface of the frame moveable for receiving and resisting user generated forces;    a computer fixed to a surface of the frame;    at least 32M of programmable read-only memory;    a touch operable display device fixed to the frame providing an interface between the user and the computer;    a computer operating system embedded within the memory for controlling the computer and display device;    a first source of entertainment media; and    a second source of real-time user physical status information;    wherein the exercising apparatus is capable of simultaneously displaying user selected entertainment media and the real-time user physical status information on the display device.    
     
     
         14 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the computer is capable of wireless communication using an 802.11b or 802.11a wireless LAN protocol.  
     
     
         15 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the display device is a Super-VGA LCD display.  
     
     
         16 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the display device is waterproof.  
     
     
         17 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the computer is capable of Internet access.  
     
     
         18 . The exercising apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the computer is capable of being fully powered by an internal battery power, by power originating from an external source, or by power generated by the motions of the user.