Exercise Device Control Ring

Abstract

A control ring that usable in adjusting one or more operating parameters of an exercise device includes a body, user input mechanisms, and a transmitter. The control ring is wearable on a finder of an exerciser. The body of the control ring has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The user input mechanisms are associated with the body and may be selectively activated by the exerciser. Upon activation of the user input mechanisms, the transmitter communicates a control command to an exercise device in order to adjust the operating parameters of the exercise device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A control ring that is usable in adjusting one or more operating parameters of an exercise device, the control ring comprising:
 a body that has an interior surface and an exterior surface and which is wearable on a finger of an exerciser;   one or more user input mechanisms associated with the body, wherein the one or more user input mechanisms may be selectively activated;   a transmitter associated with the one or more user input mechanisms, wherein the transmitter communicates a control command to the exercise device upon activation of the one or more user input mechanisms to adjust the one or more operating parameters of the exercise device.   
     
     
         2 . The control ring of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more straps connected to the body, wherein the one or more straps selectively secure the body on a finger of an exerciser. 
     
     
         3 . The control ring of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more straps comprise a first strap connected to a first end of the body and a second strap connected to a second end of the body, wherein the first strap and the second strap may be selectively connected to one another to selectively secure the body on a finger of an exerciser. 
     
     
         4 . The control ring of  claim 3 , wherein the first strap and the second strap may be selectively connected to one another with at least one of a hook and loop fastener, a clip, and a buckle. 
     
     
         5 . The control ring of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more straps comprise a strap connected between a first end and a second end of the body, such that the strap and the body cooperate to define an aperture through the control ring. 
     
     
         6 . The control ring of  claim 5 , wherein the strap is formed of a stretchable material. 
     
     
         7 . The control ring of  claim 1 , wherein the body is generally shaped as a ring and comprises an aperture for receiving the finger of the exerciser at least partially therethrough, the aperture having a diameter that generally corresponds to a diameter of the finger of the exerciser 
     
     
         8 . The control ring of  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface is generally arcuately shaped to generally correspond to the shape of an exerciser's finger, and wherein the one or more user input mechanisms are disposed on the exterior surface of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The control ring of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more user input mechanisms comprise a speed increase button and a speed decrease button, wherein:
 upon activation of the speed increase button, the transmitter communicates a control command to the exercise device to increase the speed of a movable element of the exercise device, and   upon activation of the speed decrease button, the transmitter communicates a control command to the exercise device to decrease the speed of a movable element of the exercise device.   
     
     
         10 . The control ring of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter communicates with the exercise device via a wireless connection. 
     
     
         11 . The control ring of  claim 1 , wherein the control ring may be selectively paired with only one exercise device at any given time. 
     
     
         12 . The control ring of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter communicates with the exercise device only when the control ring is within a predetermined range of the exercise device. 
     
     
         13 . The control ring of  claim 12 , wherein the predefined range comprises:
 a first zone, wherein the transmitter communicates control commands to the exercise device upon activation of the one or more user input mechanisms when the control ring is within the first zone; and   a second zone, wherein the transmitter communicates only an emergency stop control command to the exercise device when the control ring is within the second zone.   
     
     
         14 . The control ring of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor associated with the one or more user input mechanisms and the transmitter, wherein the processor generates the control command upon activation of the one or more user input mechanisms. 
     
     
         15 . The control ring of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more user input mechanisms comprise an emergency stop button, wherein, upon activation of the emergency stop button, the transmitter communicates a control command to the exercise device to stop the movement of a movable element of the exercise device. 
     
     
         16 . An exercise system, comprising:
 an exercise device, comprising:
 a movable element that is movable during the performance of exercise, the movable element having one or more adjustable operating parameters; 
 a receiver that receives control commands related to the one or more adjustable operating parameters; and 
 an actuator that adjusts the one or more adjustable operating parameters in response to the control commands received by the receiver; and 
   a control ring that is wearable on a finger of an exerciser, the control ring comprising:
 one or more selectively activatable user input mechanisms; and 
 a transmitter associated with the one or more user input mechanisms, wherein the transmitter communicates control commands to the exercise device upon activation of the one or more user input mechanisms to adjust cause the one or more operating parameters of the movable element. 
   
     
     
         17 . The exercise system of  claim 16 , wherein the transmitter of the control ring is a wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise system of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more adjustable operating parameters comprise a speed of the movable element. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise system of  claim 16 , wherein the exercise device and the control ring may be selectively paired, and wherein the exercise device is responsive to control commands only from a control ring with which the exercise device is paired. 
     
     
         20 . A method for adjusting one or more operating parameters of an exercise device, the method comprising:
 running an exercise program on an exercise device, wherein the exercise program controls the one or more operating parameters of the exercise device, and wherein the exercise program is initiated via a user input mechanism on the exercise device;   receiving user input at a control ring worn by an exerciser on the exercise device, wherein the user input relates to a desired adjustment to be made to the one or more operating parameters;   transmitting a control command from the control ring to the exercise device, wherein the control command is representative of the user input received at the control ring; and   adjusting the one or more operating parameters of the exercise device in response to the control command.