US 9,468,794 B2 · System and method for simulating environmental conditions on an exercise bicycle

Abstract

A stationary exercise cycle includes a simulation system for simulating real-world terrain based on environmental and other real-world conditions. Using topographical or other data, an actual location can be simulated. The exercise cycle may include a resistance mechanism that is adjusted based on changes in simulated slope, and by amounts simulating actual frictional and gravitational forces. The simulated speed of the rider, as well as speed and direction of a simulated wind, are used to determine a simulated air speed. Based on the simulated air speed, the simulation system determines the simulated air resistance hindering the rider, and changes reflective of the simulated air resistance are made by the resistance mechanism. The stationary exercise cycle takes into account actual or approximate physical information of the user in determining the real-world conditions that are simulated, including the height, weight, shape, and/or rising position of the rider.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a rotatable pedal assembly;
a resistance mechanism disposed to apply a variable resistance to the rotatable pedal assembly;
and
at least one controller comprising a processor, wherein the at least one controller is in communication with the resistance mechanism to vary resistance applied by the resistance mechanism to the rotatable pedal assembly based at least in part on a simulated air resistance;
a sensor determining a simulated speed of a user of the exercise apparatus;
and
an input comprising weather information at a real world remote location, the weather information including a speed of the wind at the real world remote location, the processor determining the simulated air resistance based at least in part on the simulated speed of the user of the exercise apparatus and the speed of the wind at the real world remote location, the controller selectively varying the resistance of the resistance mechanism based on the simulated air resistance.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for simulating environmental conditions on an exercise bicycle

Life of this patent

System and method for simulating environmental conditions on an exercise bicycle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19