User-programmable computerized console for exercise machines

A control console for an exercise machine of the kind having a frame, at least one movable element adapted to the frame and configured to enable a user to perform exercises, and difficulty adjustment means operably adapted to the movable element for adjusting the difficulty of the exercises, said control console comprising:

• a chassis mountable to the frame;
• control means disposed within said chassis and connectable to the difficulty adjustment means for controlling the difficulty adjustment means to execute a user-designed exercise program comprising a sequence of time segments each having a user-specified difficulty level;
• and
• input display means disposed for viewing on said chassis, and including
• a plurality of arrays of electrical indicators, each said array representing one of said time segments, and said indicators being arranged within each said array to visually represent a series of difficulty levels ranging between a low and a high difficulty, and
• bi-directional selector means operably connected to said control means and said indicators for operation by a user to select and display said user-selected difficulty level for each of said time segments,
• said input display means further being operable to display said specified difficulty level in approximate simultaneous response to operation of said selector means by the user.

An exercise machine having

• a frame;
• at least one movable element mechanically associated with the frame and configured to enable a user to perform exercises;
• difficulty adjustment means operably adapted to the movable element for adjusting the difficulty of the exercises;
• a second adjustment means associated with said movable element for adjusting a second difficulty parameter of said exercises;
• and
• a control console comprising:
• a chassis mounted to said frame;
• control means disposed within said chassis, communicatively connected to said difficulty adjustment means, and configured for controlling said difficulty adjustment means in accordance with a user-designed program comprising a sequence of time segments each having a corresponding difficulty level specified by a user and further comprising a sequence of relative levels of said second difficulty parameter, said control means further connected to said second adjustment means and configured to control said second adjustment means in accordance with said user-designed program;
• and
• input display means disposed for viewing on said chassis, and including
• a plurality of arrays of electrical indicators, each said array representing one of said time segments, and said indicators being arranged within each said array to visually represent a series of difficulty levels ranging between a low and a high difficulty, and
• bi-directional selector means operably connected to said control means and said indicators for operation by a user to select and display said user-selected difficulty level for each of said time segments, wherein said display means further includes a second series of columns arranged to display said sequence of levels of said second difficulty parameter in accordance with said user-designed program.

An exercise machine having

• a treadmill frame disposed on a support surface and including a platform inclined at an angle relative to said support surface;
• at least one movable element comprising a moving tread aligned along said platform mechanically associated with the treadmill frame and configured to enable a user to perform exercises;
• difficulty adjustment means operably adapted to the movable element for adjusting the difficulty of the exercises by adjusting the angle of inclination of said platform;
• and
• a control console comprising:
• a chassis mounted to said treadmill frame;
• control means disposed within said chassis and further connectable and configured to control a speed adjustment means which adjusts the speed of said moving tread, communicatively connected to said difficulty adjustment means, and configured for controlling said difficulty adjustment means in accordance with a user-designed program comprising a sequence of time segments each having a corresponding difficulty level specified by a user;
• and
• input display means disposed for viewing on said chassis, and including
• a plurality of arrays of electrical indicators, each said array representing one of said time segments, and said indicators being arranged within each said array to visually represent a series of difficulty levels ranging between a low and a high difficulty, and
• bi-directional selector means operably connected to said control means and said indicators for operation by a user to select and display said user-selected difficulty level for each of said time segments, wherein said user-designed program further includes a sequence of speed levels respectively selectable by the user for each of said time segments.

A control console for an exercise machine of the kind having a frame, at least one movable element adapted to the frame and configured to enable a user to perform exercises, and difficulty adjustment means operably adapted to the movable element for adjusting the difficulty of the exercises, said control console comprising:

• a chassis mountable to the frame;
• control means disposed within said chassis and connectable to the difficulty adjustment means for controlling the difficulty adjustment means to execute a user-designed exercise program comprising a sequence of time segments each having a user-specified difficulty level;
• and
• input display means disposed for viewing on said chassis, and including
• a plurality of arrays of electrical indicators, each said array representing one of said time segments, and said indicators being arranged within each said array to visually represent a series of difficulty levels ranging between a low and a high difficulty, and
• bi-directional selector means operably connected to said control means and said indicators for operation by a user to select and display said user-selected difficulty level for each of said time segments,
• wherein said control means is further operable to compute and supply progress signals to said input display means, and said input display means further includes progress display means associated with said arrays for providing a visible distinguishing identifier proximate an individual said array corresponding to a time segment currently in progress.