Apparatus and method for altering exercise device electronics and functionality

Abstract

A treadmill or other form of exercise equipment including a receptacle or other communication port adapted to provide a communication pathway to a cartridge or other removable memory and/or processing platform such that operation of electronics and software resident in some portion of the exercise equipment may be conveniently modified. In one particular form, the treadmill includes a receptacle in a console. A cartridge includes a memory and associated processing electronics. The cartridge is adapted to fit within the receptacle and engage communication ports or connections within the receptacle. Upon recognition of a cartridge within the receptacle, modification of some portion of the operation of the electronics, modifications to software within the exercise equipment, etc. may be undertaken as a function of whatever modification is provided by way of a new application, an addition to an existing application, a new subroutine, a modification of a subroutine, a control code, or some other treadmill electronics or software modification programming provided in the cartridge.

1 . An exercise device comprising: 
 a processor arrangement including at least one inactivated application;    at least one communication port in electrical communication with the processor arrangement, the at least one electrical port configured to receive a removable memory arrangement including at least one control code; and    upon receipt of the at least one control code, the processor arrangement configured to activate the inactivated application.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1  further comprising a receptacle operably associated with the at least one electrical port.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 2  wherein the receptacle defines an asymmetrical aperture.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 2  wherein the at least one electrical port includes a first port with a voltage supply and a second port providing a data communication line to the processor arrangement.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 4  wherein the at least one electrical port further comprises a third port providing a clock line.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 5  wherein the at least one electrical port further comprises a fourth port providing a ground line.  
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 2  wherein the receptacle defines a locking aperture adapted to receive a protrusion of the removable memory arrangement.  
     
     
         8 . A memory cartridge for use in communicating with exercise equipment, the memory cartridge comprising: 
 a first cover defining at least one first rib, the at least one rib defining an inset portion;    a second cover coupled with the first cover, the second cover defining at least one second rib adapted to at least partially abut the at least one first rib; and    a memory card secured between the first cover and the second cover, the memory card within the inset portion.    
     
     
         9 . The memory cartridge of  claim 8  whereby the memory cartridge is adapted to be plugged into a receptacle of the exercise equipment.  
     
     
         10 . The memory cartridge of  claim 8  wherein: 
 the first cover defines a first boss defining a first threaded aperture and a second boss defining a second threaded aperture;    the second cover defines a first aperture in alignment with the first threaded aperture, and a second aperture in alignment with the second threaded aperture; and    wherein a first screw is secured with the first threaded aperture and the first aperture and a second screw is secured with the second threaded aperture and the second aperture to couple the first cover with the second cover.    
     
     
         11 . The memory cartridge of  claim 8  wherein the at least one first rib defines three ribs, wherein each rib defines an inset portion with a width dimension corresponding with a width dimension of the memory card.  
     
     
         12 . The memory cartridge of  claim 11  wherein the at least one second rib defines three ribs adapted to at least partially abut the corresponding three ribs of the at least one first rib.  
     
     
         13 . The memory cartridge of  claim 8  wherein: 
 the first cover defines a first bottom portion;    the second cover defines a second bottom portion; and    wherein the first bottom portion and second bottom portion collectively define an asymmetrical shape.    
     
     
         14 . The memory cartridge of  claim 13  wherein the asymmetrical shape is a trapezoid.  
     
     
         15 . The memory cartridge of  claim 9  further comprising a locking mechanism adapted to secure the memory cartridge within the receptacle.  
     
     
         16 . The memory cartridge of  claim 15  wherein the locking mechanism defines a tab integrated within the second cover, the second tab pivotally supported on the second cover.  
     
     
         17 . The memory cartridge of  claim 16  wherein the locking mechanism includes a protrusion.  
     
     
         18 . The memory cartridge of  claim 8  wherein the second cover defines means for locking the cartridge within a receptacle of an exercise device.  
     
     
         19 . The memory cartridge of  claim 8  wherein the first cover defines means for securing the memory cartridge.  
     
     
         20 . The memory cartridge of  claim 8  wherein the second cover defines means for securing the memory cartridge.  
     
     
         21 . The memory cartridge of  claim 8  wherein the memory card comprises: 
 a voltage supply line in electrical communication with a memory device;    a data line in electrical communication with the memory device;    a clock line in communication with the memory device; and    at least one ground line in communication with the memory device.    
     
     
         22 . The memory cartridge of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 a resistor coupled between the voltage supply line and the data line;    a resistor coupled between the voltage supply line and the clock line; and    a capacitor coupled between the voltage supply line and the at least one ground line.    
     
     
         23 . The memory cartridge of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 a first contact coupled with the voltage supply line;    a second contact coupled with the data line;    a third contact coupled with the clock line; and    a fourth contact coupled with the at least one ground line.    
     
     
         24 . A method for modifying electronic control, software, or some other portion of an exercise device processing arrangement, the method comprising: 
 recognizing insertion of a removable memory arrangement in a communication port of the exercise device;    determining whether the removable memory includes a modification of some portion of the electronic control, software, or some other portion of the exercise device processing arrangement; and    modifying the electronic control, software, or some other portion of the exercise device processing arrangement in accordance with data present within the removable memory.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the data includes at least one control code for activating a software component present within some portion of the electronic control, software, or some other portion of the exercise device processing arrangement.