Computerized exercise machine

A computerized exercise cycle, comprising:

• a cycle structure adapted to be operated by a user and presenting a pair of pedals for rotation by the feet of said user;
• resistance means mechanically associated with said pedals for offering an adjustable amount of resistance to the rotation of said pedals;
• resistance means operably associated with said resistance means and including:
• a resistance responsive element connected to said resistance means deformatable in response to changes in the amount of resistance offered by said resistance means;
• and a sensing element physically adapted to said resistance responsive element, said sensing element being responsive to said deformation to generate resistance signal reflective of said deformation;
• adjustment means mechanically associated with said resistance means for varying said adjustable amount of resistance;
• computer means mounted to said cycle structure, associatively linked with said adjustment means for controlling said adjustment means and communicatively linked to receive said resistance signal from said resistance sensing means;
• input means associated with said cycle structure and communicatively linked with said computer means for receiving data from said user;
• display means associated with said cycle structure and communicatively linked with said computer means for providing visible and audio information signals to said user operating said cycle structure;
• said computer means being operable to:
• receive one of a plurality of programs selectable by said user from said input means, each one of said plurality of programs including a resistance subprogram consisting of an ordered set of user selectable resistance,
• control said adjustment means to vary the adjustable amount of resistance of said resistance means to the rotation of said pedals in accordance with said selected program over a user-selected program duration,
• control said display means to provide displays including visible display for providing said visible information signals representative of said adjustable amount of resistances of said selected program and audio display for providing said audio information signals representative of said selected program, and to
• compute calorie use information from said resistance signal and said user data.

A computerized exercise machine comprising:

• an exercise structure having a movable member for movement by a user to exercise on said exercise structure;
• resistance means associated with said movable member to resist the movement of said movable member;
• adjustment means mechanically associated with said resistance means for selectively varying the resistance of said resistance means;
• resistance sensing means associated with said resistance means for sensing work performed by said user in moving said movable member against said resistance and including:
• a resistance responsive element connected to said resistance means, said resistance responsive element undergoing deformation in response to changes in the resistance of said resistance means;
• and
• a piezoelectric element adapted to said resistance responsive element, to generate a resistance signal reflective of said deformation;
• a motion sensor mounted to said exercise structure to sense the rate of movement of said movable member and to provide a movement rate signal reflective thereof;
• computer means associatively linked with said adjustment means for selectively controlling said adjustment means and communicatively linked to said resistance sensing means and said motion sensor to receive said resistance signal and said movement rate signal therefrom;
• input means connected to said computer means for receiving background data from said user and for selecting an exercise program and at least one exercise parameter related to said selected program;
• display means mounted on said exercise structure and associatively linked with said computer means for displaying data computed by said computer means;
• wherein said computer means is operable to receive said selected exercise program and varying the resistance of said resistance means selected by said user from said input means, and
• control said adjustment means in accordance with said selected exercise program and said varying resistance over a preselected program duration,
• read said background data from said input means,
• read the rate of movement of said movable member from said motion sensor,
• read the resistance of said resistance means from said resistance sensing means, and
• compute calorie use data from said background data, rate of movement, and resistances.