User detection for exercise equipment

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a user detection system for exercise equipment, such as a treadmill. In an embodiment, a sensor monitors displacement between a deck supporting a moveable treadmill belt and aspects of a treadmill frame. As users interact with the treadmill, a processor uses a sensor signal indicative of the displacement to determine whether a user has mounted the treadmill belt.

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       19 . A method of operating a treadmill to determine when a moving belt likely does not include a user of the treadmill, the method comprising:
 receiving in a processor a signal indicative of a displacement sensor detecting displacement of (i) a first treadmill member movable when said user loads at least a portion of their weight on a treadmill belt, with respect to (ii) a second treadmill member substantially unmovable when said user loads said belt;   electronically determining whether the signal likely represents that said user is present; and   when said determining indicates said user is not present, electronically altering operation of said treadmill.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  comprising:
 receiving in a coil a change in a magnetic field when said first member moves with respect to said second member; and   outputting said signal based on said change in said magnetic field.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the altering step comprises displaying a message to a user. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the message comprises a countdown to a slowdown of the belt. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the message comprises a request for the user to return. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the altering step comprises a slowdown of the belt. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the altering step comprises an emergency shutdown. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the altering step comprises adjusting an exercise program. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the altering step comprises adjusting at least one exercise parameter. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the altering step comprises adjusting one or more of: speed limits or incline limits. 
   
   
       29 . A treadmill configured to determine when a moving belt likely does not include a user, the treadmill comprising:
 a treadmill belt;   a first treadmill member movable when said user loads at least a portion of their weight on said treadmill belt;   a second treadmill member substantially unmovable when said user loads said belt;   one or more processors configured to receive a signal indicative of a displacement sensor detecting displacement of (i) said first treadmill member, with respect to (ii) said second treadmill member, said processors configured to electronically determining whether the signal likely represents that said user is present; and when said determining indicates said user is not present, configured to electronically altering operation of said treadmill.   
   
   
       30 . The treadmill of  claim 29  comprising a coil configured to receive a change in a magnetic field when said first member moves with respect to said second member, wherein said one or more processors are configured to output said signal based on said change in said magnetic field. 
   
   
       31 . The treadmill of  claim 29  wherein said one or more processors are configured to display a message to a user. 
   
   
       32 . The treadmill of  claim 31  wherein the message comprises a countdown to a slowdown of the belt. 
   
   
       33 . The treadmill of  claim 31  wherein the message comprises a request for the user to return. 
   
   
       34 . The treadmill of  claim 29  wherein said one or more processors are configured to slowdown the belt. 
   
   
       35 . The treadmill of  claim 29  wherein said one or more processors are configured to perform an emergency shutdown. 
   
   
       36 . The treadmill of  claim 29  wherein said one or more processors are configured to adjust an exercise program. 
   
   
       37 . The treadmill of  claim 36  wherein said one or more processors are configured to adjust least one exercise parameter. 
   
   
       38 . The treadmill of  claim 37  wherein said adjustment comprises one or more of: speed limits or incline limits.