User interface methods and apparatus for controlling exercise apparatus

Abstract

User interface methods and apparatus for controlling exercise apparatus are disclosed. An example user interface includes an exercise parameter input and an indicator associated with the exercise parameter input, and a control unit to activate the indicator in response to a training routine to prompt a user of the exercise apparatus to adjust an operation of the exercise apparatus via the exercise parameter input.

1 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a user interface having an exercise parameter input and an indicator associated with the exercise parameter input; and   a control unit to activate the indicator in response to a training routine to prompt a user of the exercise apparatus to adjust an operation of the exercise apparatus via the exercise parameter input.   
   
   
       2 . An exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the user interface is an activity console located in a forward central portion of the exercise apparatus. 
   
   
       3 . An exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the exercise parameter input comprises at least one of an incline setting, a speed setting, or a resistance setting. 
   
   
       4 . An exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises at least one of one or more light bulbs, one or more light emitting diodes, a cathode ray tube (CRT), or a liquid crystal display (LCD). 
   
   
       5 . An exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the control unit is to generate a display of at least one of a shape or a color for the indicator and to generate the display of the indicator on at least one of the CRT or the LCD. 
   
   
       6 . An exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the indicator is displayed as a graphic overlay with the exercise parameter input. 
   
   
       7 . An exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 6 , further comprising a touch-screen for user activation of the exercise parameter input. 
   
   
       8 . An exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the control unit is to generate a display of the exercise parameter input on at least one of the CRT or the LCD. 
   
   
       9 . An exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the CRT or the LCD includes a touch-screen. 
   
   
       10 . An exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the indicator is proximate the exercise parameter input. 
   
   
       11 . An exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the exercise parameter input comprises at least one of a toggle switch, a toggle lever, a trackball, or a touch-screen. 
   
   
       12 . An exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the exercise parameter input operates via gross motor movements by the user. 
   
   
       13 . An exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the exercise apparatus is at least one of a treadmill, an elliptical trainer, a climber, a stepper, a stationary bicycle, or a rower. 
   
   
       14 . An exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the exercise parameter input is positioned on the user interface to be approximately aligned with a forward central portion of the exercise apparatus. 
   
   
       15 . An exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the indicator comprises at least one arrow-shaped portion. 
   
   
       16 . A method to control an exercise apparatus comprising:
 automatically receiving a signal from a training routine indicative of a desired exercise parameter adjustment;   activating an indicator in response to the signal; and   determining if an exercise parameter input is activated by a user of the exercise apparatus in response to activation of the indicator.   
   
   
       17 . A method to control an exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the signal is associated with at least one of a change in incline, a change in speed, or a change in resistance. 
   
   
       18 . A method to control an exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 16 , wherein activating the indicator comprises causing the indicator to illuminate. 
   
   
       19 . A method to control an exercise apparatus as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising executing the desired exercise parameter adjustment when the exercise parameter input is activated. 
   
   
       20 . An article of manufacture storing machine readable instructions which, when executed, cause a machine to:
 automatically receive a signal from a training routine indicative of a desired exercise parameter adjustment;   activate an indicator in response to the signal; and   determine if an exercise parameter input is activated by a user of the exercise apparatus in response to activation of the indicator.   
   
   
       21 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 20 , wherein the machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to receive the signal of at least one of an incline change, a speed change, or a resistance change. 
   
   
       22 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 20 , wherein the machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to illuminate the indicator. 
   
   
       23 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 20 , wherein the machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to execute the desired exercise parameter adjustment when the exercise parameter input is activated.