EQUIPMENT, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING EXERCISE EFFICIENCY IN A CARDIO-FITNESS MACHINE

摘要

A system, equipment and process to guide a user in the experience of rhythmic exercise. Playback of an audio file/signal, such as a musical phrase, that has known rhythmic structure (e.g., beat pattern) is accompanied, by non-audio sensory cues such as a light signal or tactical signal (vibration) to mark rhythmic events in the audio playback (such as the beginning and end of playback and/or audio pulses (beats). In addition, equipment is provided to guide the user in performing a GDM (goal directed movement) sequence that is selected to be performed in synch with the rhythm of the audio signal. The user's motion is detected and compared to desired GDM in the selected sequence and also compared to the rhythm of the audio signal. Sensory cues are provided to guide the user in performing the GDM sequence rhythmically. The system may be implemented in cardio fitness equipment including treadmill, AMT, stationary exercise bike and elliptical type exercise equipment.

主权项

1. A cardio fitness machine that generates sensory cues to guide a user in performing goal directed movements (GDM) in a GDM sequence in coordination with rhythmic elements of an audio file, where the GDM sequence comprises a plurality of distinct GDMs including an initial GDM at initiation of the GDM sequence and a final GDM at completion of the GDM sequence and the audio file comprises at least one musical phrase that contains at least three beat pulses, the cardio fitness machine comprising:
a control panel configured to receive user selections including at least a user selection of an audio file comprising at least one musical phrase that contains at least three beat pulses and a user selection of a GDM sequence comprising a plurality of distinct GDMs; wherein the control panel includes memory for storing data including stored audio file data and stored GDM sequence data; the control panel is further configured to load stored audio file data in response to the user selection of the audio file and load stored GDM sequence data in response to the user selection of the GDM sequence; determine a timing and location of the beat pulses in the user selected audio file and identify the plurality of distinct GDMs including a sequence of right limb movements and left limb movements in the user selected GDM sequence; the control panel further comprising an audio processor configured to obtain beat information for the user selected audio file and playback the user selected audio file, the user selected audio file playback having an initiation and a conclusion; at least one foot support portion, the at least one foot support portion supported on the cardio fitness machine and configured for continuous movement along a known path; a sensor system, the sensor system comprising sensor devices positioned and configured to detect motion in specific zones of movement including a first zone of movement corresponding to an exercise space associated with a right side of the user and a second first zone of movement corresponding to an exercise space associated with a left side of the user, the sensor devices comprising a first sensor positioned and configured to detect only movements in the first exercise space associated with a right side of the user and a second sensor positioned and configured to detect only movements in the second exercise space associated with a left side of the user; wherein the sensor system configured to detect the right limb movements and the left limb movements of the user and distinguish between the detected right limb movements and the left limb movements, wherein the control panel is further configured to receive signals from the first and second sensors indicative of a sequence of detected movements in the exercise space associated with the right and left side of the user and compare the sequence of detected movements to the user selected GDM sequence; and a plurality of sensory cue generators controlled independently of one another and configured such that a first sensory cue generator generates a non-audio sensory cue at the initiation and conclusion of the user selected audio file playback and a second sensory cue generator generates a sensory cue at the initiation and conclusion of the user selected GDM sequence.