Automatic speed control for treadmill

Abstract

Provided herein are systems and devices for detecting the position of a subject on a treadmill and adjusting the speed of tread to maintain the subject's position on the treadmill.

1 . A system comprising a treadmill and a position monitor, wherein the treadmill comprises a motor-driven tread capable of supporting a subject and moving at multiple speeds, and the position monitor is configured to monitor the position of a subject standing on the tread; wherein if the position monitor detects movement of the subject in a forward direction opposing the movement of the tread, then the speed of the tread is increased; and wherein if the position monitor detects movement of the subject in a backward direction with the movement of the tread, then the speed of the tread is decreased. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the position monitor uses radar, sonar, lidar, or a light beam to monitor the position of the subject on the tread. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the position monitor detects forward movement of the subject if the subject passes a defined point or line on the tread. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the position monitor detects backward movement of the object if the object passes a defined point or line on the tread. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the position monitor continuously monitors the position of the subject on the tread and the speed of the tread is increased or decreased to maintain stable forward-to-backward position of the object on the tread. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor that receives signals and/or data from the position monitor and sends instructions to increase or decrease the speed of the motor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a controller that receives instructions to increase or decrease the speed of the motor from the processor and physically executes those instructions, resulting in an increase or decrease in the speed of the tread. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a memory unit operably linked to the processor. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the memory unit stores pre-programmed tread speed routines that are selectable by a user. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a user interface. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the memory unit stores data sent from the position monitor. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein upon receiving a signal or data from the position monitor that a subject is advancing or retreating on the tread, the processor instructs the controller to increase or decrease the speed of the tread, partially or completely overriding a selected pre-programmed tread speed routine. 
     
     
         13 . A method of maintaining the position of a subject on a treadmill, the method comprising running a motor-driven tread of the treadmill at a first speed capable, detecting forward and/or backward movement of the subject on the tread, and monitoring the position of the subject on the tread; wherein if the position monitor detects movement of the subject in a forward direction opposing the movement of the tread, then the speed of the tread is increased; and wherein if the position monitor detects movement of the subject in a backward direction with the movement of the tread, then the speed of the tread is decreased. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the position monitor uses radar, sonar, lidar, or a light beam to monitor the position of the subject on the tread. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the position monitor detects forward movement of the subject if the subject passes a defined point or line on the tread. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the position monitor detects backward movement of the object if the object passes a defined point or line on the tread. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the position monitor continuously monitors the position of the subject on the tread and the speed of the tread is increased or decreased to maintain stable forward-to-backward position of the object on the tread.