Computer integrated exercise machine

Abstract

A method and a device are disclosed for an exercise machine having an integrated or removable computing device with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to enable a user to control and interact with the computing device. In various embodiments, the computing device is configured to access other computers, run software applications related or unrelated to the exercise machine, communicate with other users via voice and/or visual data channels, and substantially perform all functions available using a personal computing device.

1 . A computer integrated exercise machine comprising:
 an exercise device;   a computing device attachable to the exercise device; and   a control device configured to control the computing device.   
     
     
         2 . The computer integrated exercise machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a docking station. 
     
     
         3 . The computer integrated exercise machine of  claim 2 , wherein the computing device is attached to the exercise device via the docking station. 
     
     
         4 . The computer integrated exercise machine of  claim 3 , wherein the control device controls a Graphical User Interface (GUI) of the computing device via the docking station. 
     
     
         5 . The computer integrated exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the computing device is configured to connect to and communicate with other computers. 
     
     
         6 . The computer integrated exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the computing device communicates with the other computers via a wired or wireless network. 
     
     
         7 . The computer integrated exercise machine of  claim 1 , wherein the computing device comprises one of a laptop computer, a smartphone, and a tablet computer. 
     
     
         8 . An exercise device comprising:
 a docking station configured to couple with a computing device; and   a control device configured to control the computing device.   
     
     
         9 . The computer integrated exercise machine of  claim 8 , wherein the control device controls a Graphical User Interface (GUI) of the computing device via the docking station. 
     
     
         10 . The computer integrated exercise machine of  claim 8 , wherein the computing device is configured to connect to and communicate with other computers. 
     
     
         11 . The computer integrated exercise machine of  claim 8 , wherein the computing device communicates with the other computers via a wired or wireless network. 
     
     
         12 . The computer integrated exercise machine of  claim 8 , wherein the computing device comprises one of a laptop computer, a smartphone, and a tablet computer.