Interactive exercise system and attachment module for same

An interactive exercise system, comprising:

• a piece of conventional exercise equipment having at least one periodically moving part;
• a central processing unit (CPU) in communication with said equipment;
• a user sensory interface, connected to said CPU, presenting information from said CPU to the user in discrete packets of information;
• a memory device connected to said CPU, said information being stored on said memory device in discrete packets of information, said CPU accessing said memory device to control the presentation of said information by said user sensory interface;
• a sensor attached to said periodically moving part and connected to said CPU, said sensor detecting motion of said periodically moving part and sending a first signal to said CPU, said first signal indicates a first rate at which the user is exercising;
• and
• at least one touch switch attachable to said equipment and connected to said CPU, said touch switch selectively sending a second signal to said CPU, said second signal including instructions to said CPU to enable the user to present selectable portions of said information on said user sensory interface,
• wherein said CPU controls said information presented by said user sensory interface based on at least one of said first and second signals, and wherein said CPU refreshes said information presented by said user sensory interface at a second rate proportional to said first rate.

An interactive exercise system, comprising:

• a conventional stationary exercise bicycle, having a frame, movable pedals mounted on said frame, a rotatable element mounted on said frame connected to said pedals, said rotatable element moving in response to user force being applied to said pedals;
• a central processing unit (CPU) in communication with said rotatable element;
• a user sensory interface, connected to said CPU including at least one of a visual display, an audio speaker, and a tactile response unit, said interface presenting information from said CPU to the user in discrete packets of information;
• a memory device connected to said CPU, said information being stored on said memory device in discrete packets of information, said CPU accessing said memory device to control the presentation of said information by said user sensory interface;
• a sensor attached to said rotatable element and connected to said CPU, said sensor detecting rotation of said rotatable element and sending a first signal to said CPU, said first signal indicates a first rate at which the user is exercising;
• and
• at least one touch switch attachable to said frame and connected to said CPU, said touch switch selectively sending a second signal to said CPU, said second signal including instructions to said CPU to enable the user to present selectable portions of said information on said user sensory interface,
• wherein said CPU controls said information presented by said user sensory interface based on at least one of said first and second signals, and wherein said CPU refreshes said information presented by said user sensory interface at a second rate proportional to said first rate.

A kit for retrofitting an existing piece of conventional exercise equipment having at least one periodically moving part into an interactive exercise device, comprising:

• a central processing unit (CPU);
• a memory device connected to said CPU, with information being stored on said memory device in discrete packets of information;
• a user sensory interface, connected to said CPU, presenting said information from said memory device to the user in discrete packets of information, said CPU accessing said memory device to control the presentation of said information by said user sensory interface;
• a sensor attached to the periodically moving part of the equipment and connected to said CPU, said sensor detecting motion of the moving part and sending a first signal to said CPU;
• and
• at least one touch switch attachable to the equipment and connected to said CPU, said touch switch selectively sending a second signal to said CPU,
• wherein said CPU controls said information presented by said user sensory interface based on at least one of said first and second signals.

A kit for retrofitting an existing piece of conventional exercise equipment having at least one periodically moving part into an interactive exercise device, comprising:

• a sensor attached to the periodically moving part of the equipment and connectable to a computer, the computer having a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory device, said sensor detecting motion of the moving part and sending a first signal to said CPU;
• at least one touch switch attachable to the equipment and connected to the CPU of the computer, said touch switch selectively sending a second signal to the CPU;
• and
• a memory medium readable by the memory device of the computer, said memory medium having discrete packets of information stored thereon, said information being compatible with a user sensory interface,
• wherein the computer controls the information transmitted to the user sensory interface based on at least one of said first and second signals.

An interactive exercise system, comprising:

• a piece of exercise equipment having at least one periodically moving part;
• a sensor attached to the periodically moving part of the equipment and connectable to a computer, the computer having a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory device, said sensor detecting motion of the moving part and sending a first signal to said CPU;
• at least one touch switch attachable to the equipment and connected to the CPU of the computer, said touch switch selectively sending a second signal to the CPU;
• and
• a memory medium readable by the memory device of the computer, said memory medium having discrete packets of information stored thereon, said information being compatible with a user sensory interface,
• wherein the computer controls the information transmitted to the user sensory interface based on at least one of said first and second signals.