# US 11,896,873 B2 · Cardiovascular exercise device, system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,896,873 B2 - Document ID: US11896873B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/633,857 - Filed: 2021-03-12 - Published: 2022-08-25 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-08-24 - Assignees: Mark Williams - Applicants: Mark Williams - Inventors: Mark Williams; Chris Flynn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896873B2 ## CPC - A63B 24/0075: {Means for generating exercise programmes or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases} - G16H 20/30: relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising - A63B 24/0062: {Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance} - A63B 24/0087: {Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load} - A63B 69/0028: {for running, jogging or speed-walking (movable endless bands A63B22/02)} - A63B 71/0686: {Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means} - G07C 1/22: in connection with sports or games - A63B 71/023: {Supports, e.g. poles} - A63B 71/0622: {Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user} - A63B 2022/0092: {for training agility or co-ordination of movements} - A63B 2024/0065: {Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index} - A63B 2024/0068: {Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals} - A63B 2024/0093: {the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed} - A63B 2071/0625: {Emitting sound, noise or music} - A63B 2071/0627: {when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning} - A63B 2071/063: {Spoken or verbal instructions} - A63B 2071/0658: {Position or arrangement of display} - A63B 2071/0675: {Input for modifying training controls during workout} - A63B 2071/0694: {Visual indication, e.g. Indicia} - A63B 2214/00: Training methods - A63B 2220/17: Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed - A63B 2220/62: Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal - A63B 2220/801: Contact switches - A63B 2220/803: Motion sensors - A63B 2220/833: Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement - A63B 2225/10: Multi-station exercising machines - A63B 2225/15: with identification means that can be read by electronic means - A63B 2225/20: with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like - A63B 2225/50: Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry - A63B 2225/54: Transponders, e.g. RFID - A63B 2225/74: with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights - A63B 2230/00: Measuring physiological parameters of the user - A63B 2230/40: respiratory characteristics - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA - G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE ## Abstract A cardiovascular exercise device is provided. The cardiovascular exercise device is for use to administer an exercise program including shuttle runs. The cardiovascular exercise device includes: a tower placeable at a first location; a user input associated with the tower; a pacing bar arranged to display a target pace of a user for a shuttle run of a track distance from the first location; and a processor configured to operate an exercise program. The administration of the exercise program includes the steps of: receiving a signal from the user input; defining a repetition as the time between subsequent signals from the user input; and indicating pacing information to the user based upon this signal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cardiovascular exercise device for an exercise program comprising shuttle runs, the cardiovascular exercise device comprising: a tower placeable at a first location; a user input associated with the tower; a pacing bar arranged to display a target pace of a user for a shuttle run of a track distance from the first location, a processor configured to operate an exercise program comprising the steps of: receiving a signal from the user input; defining a repetition as the time between subsequent signals from the user input; and indicating pacing information to the user based upon said signal, wherein the track distance is selectable, and the processor is arranged to adjust the pacing bar based upon the selected track distance. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cardiovascular exercise device of claim 1, wherein the track distance is selectable from a number of discrete values. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cardiovascular exercise device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the user is behind the target pace for a repetition based upon the signal from the user input and terminate the exercise program when a threshold number of repetitions are behind the target pace. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The cardiovascular exercise device of claim 3, wherein the threshold number of repetitions is a consecutive threshold of repetitions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cardiovascular exercise device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to calculate an indication of the user's fitness based at least in part upon a number of repetitions completed and convey this to the user. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cardiovascular exercise device of claim 1, wherein the cardiovascular exercise device is freely moveable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The cardiovascular exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communications unit for communicating with a further cardiovascular exercise device or user device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The cardiovascular exercise device of claim 1, wherein the pacing bar indicates a start point and an end point of a repetition of the shuttle run, and a target position of the user between the start point and end point. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The cardiovascular exercise device of claim 1, wherein the exercise program further comprises a rest period between shuttle runs, the pacing bar further arranged to indicate a length of time of the rest period. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The cardiovascular exercise device of claim 1, wherein the pacing bar is arranged on the tower. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The cardiovascular exercise device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to: determine an identity of the user based upon the user input. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The cardiovascular exercise device of any preceding claim 1, wherein the user input is arranged on the tower. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The cardiovascular exercise device of claim 12, wherein the user input comprises first and second user inputs arranged on an upper and lower part of the tower respectively. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A cardiovascular exercise system comprising: first and second cardiovascular exercise devices each according to claim 1, the first and second cardiovascular exercise devices placeable a tower distance away from one another for a shuttle run of the tower distance. ### Claim 15 A cardiovascular exercise system comprising: first and second cardiovascular exercise devices, each comprising: a tower placeable at a location; a user input associated with each tower, the first and second cardiovascular exercise devices placeable a tower distance away from one another; at least one pacing bar arranged to display a target pace of a user for a shuttle run of the tower distance, one or more processors configured to operate an exercise program comprising the steps of: receiving a signal from the user input; defining a repetition as the time between subsequent signals from the user input; and indicating pacing information to the user based upon said signal, wherein the tower distance is selectable, the one or more processors arranged to adjust the pacing bar based upon the selected tower distance. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The cardiovascular exercise system of claim 15, wherein the at least one pacing bar is arranged on the tower of the first cardiovascular exercise device or the tower of the second cardiovascular exercise device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The cardiovascular exercise system of claim 15, wherein each cardiovascular exercise device comprises at least one pacing bar arranged to display a target pace of a user for a shuttle run of the tower distance. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The cardiovascular exercise system of claim 15, wherein the first and second cardiovascular exercise devices are in communication with each other. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The cardiovascular exercise system of claim 15, wherein the first and second cardiovascular exercise devices are arranged the tower distance from one another as start and end points for the shuttle run of the tower distance. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The cardiovascular exercise system of claim 15, wherein the first and/or second cardiovascular exercise devices are freely moveable to define the tower distance. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The cardiovascular exercise system of claim 15, wherein the tower distance is selectable from a number of discrete values. ### Claim 22 A method of cardiovascular exercise comprising the steps of: providing one or more cardiovascular exercise devices including: a tower placeable at a first location; a user input associated with the tower, wherein said cardiovascular exercise devices are placeable a tower distance away from one another when more than one cardiovascular exercise device is provided; at least one pacing bar arranged to display a target pace of a user for a shuttle run of at least one of the tower distance and a track distance from the first location, at least one processor configured to operate an exercise program comprising the steps of: receiving a signal from the user input; and defining a repetition as the time between subsequent signals from the user input; indicating pacing information to the user based upon said signal, wherein at least one of the tower distance and the track distance is selectable, and the at least one processor is arranged to adjust the pacing bar based upon at least one of the selected tower distance and the selected track distance; beginning the exercise program; and receiving a user input after each repetition.