Interchangeable multi-component exercise system

Abstract

There is disclosed a system for engaging in exercise. The system includes a removable resistance device suitable for temporary installation into multiple, separate exercise devices. When installed in the separate exercise device, the resistance device is operable under control of a computing device to selectively increase or decrease resistance applied to the separate exercise device and to thereby selectively increase or decrease the difficulty of an exercise associated with the separate exercise device.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for engaging in exercise, the system comprising:
 a removable resistance device suitable for temporary installation into a separate exercise device, when installed in the separate exercise device, the resistance device operable under control of a computing device to selectively increase or decrease resistance applied to the separate exercise device and to thereby selectively increase or decrease the difficulty of an exercise associated with the separate exercise device;   the separate exercise device for engaging in a selected exercise from a group comprising cycling, rowing, running, and resistance weight training, into which the removable resistance device may be temporarily installed to provide resistance for the selected exercise; and   a second separate exercise device for engaging in a second selected exercise selected from the group comprising cycling, rowing, running, and resistance weight training, but excluding the selected exercise for the separate exercise device, and into which the removable resistance device may be temporarily installed to provide resistance for the second selected exercise.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the removable resistance device is used as a motor to provide supplemental motive power to some aspect of the second separate exercise device to make the second selected exercise less difficult for a user. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the second separate exercise device is an electronic bike intended for usage outdoors. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the removable resistance device both adds resistance and provides supplemental motive power interchangeably, dependent upon the control directed by the computing device instructing the removable resistance device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the removable resistance device further comprises:
 an electronic communications interface for enabling the removable resistance device to communicate with the separate exercise device or the second separate exercise device to enable the separate exercise device or the second separate exercise device to select an amount of resistance applied as directed by the computing device. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the electronic communications interface further comprises an electrical junction wherein electrical contact is automatically made when the resistance device is installed within the separate exercise device or the second separate exercise device, and wherein the electronic communications interface is within the frame of at least one of the separate exercise device or the second separate exercise device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the computing device comprises software that directs the removable resistance device to increase or decrease resistance in response to player avatar movement within a virtual world presented to a user on a display screen by the computing device. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus comprising non-volatile machine-readable medium storing a program having instructions which when executed by a processor will cause the processor to:
 control operation of a removable resistance device removably installed into a separate exercise device, when installed in the separate exercise device, the resistance device operable under control of a computing device to selectively increase or decrease resistance applied to the separate exercise device and to thereby selectively increase or decrease the difficulty of an exercise associated with the separate exercise device;   control operation of the removable resistance device removably installed in the separate exercise device for engaging in a selected exercise from a group comprising cycling, rowing, running, and resistance weight training, to provide resistance for the selected exercise; and   control operation of the removable resistance device removably installed in a second separate exercise device for engaging in a second selected exercise selected from the group comprising cycling, rowing, running, and resistance weight training, but excluding the selected exercise for the separate exercise device, to provide resistance for the second selected exercise.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the removable resistance device is used as a motor to provide supplemental motive power to some aspect of the second separate exercise device to make the second selected exercise less difficult for a user. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the second separate exercise device is an electronic bike intended for usage outdoors. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the removable resistance device both adds resistance and provides supplemental motive power interchangeably, dependent upon the control directed by the computing device instructing the removable resistance device. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 communicate with the removable resistance device using an electronic communications interface through the separate exercise device or the second separate exercise device to enable the separate exercise device or the second separate exercise device to select an amount of resistance applied as directed by the computing device. 
 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the electronic communications interface further comprises an electrical junction wherein electrical contact is automatically made when the resistance device is installed within the separate exercise device or the second separate exercise device and wherein the electronic communications interface is within the frame of at least one of the separate exercise device or the second separate exercise device. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the computing device comprises software that directs the removable resistance device to increase or decrease resistance in response to player avatar movement within a virtual world presented to a user on a display screen by the computing device. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising:
 the processor; and 
 a memory; 
 wherein the processor and the memory comprise circuits and software for performing the instructions on the storage medium. 
 
     
     
         16 . A method for engaging in exercise, the method comprising:
 controlling operation of a removable resistance device suitable for temporary installation into a separate exercise device, when installed in the separate exercise device, the resistance device operable under control of a computing device to selectively increase or decrease resistance applied to the separate exercise device and to thereby selectively increase or decrease the difficulty of an exercise associated with the separate exercise device;   controlling operation of the removable resistance device temporarily installed in the separate exercise device for engaging in a selected exercise from a group comprising cycling, rowing, running, and resistance weight training, to provide resistance for the selected exercise; and   controlling operation of the removable resistance device temporarily installed in a second separate exercise device for engaging in a second selected exercise selected from the group comprising cycling, rowing, running, and resistance weight training, but excluding the selected exercise for the separate exercise device, to provide resistance for the second selected exercise.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the removable resistance device is used as a motor to provide supplemental motive power to some aspect of the second separate exercise device to make the second selected exercise less difficult for a user. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the second separate exercise device is an electronic bike intended for usage outdoors. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the removable resistance device both adds resistance and provides supplemental motive power interchangeably, dependent upon the control directed by the computing device instructing the removable resistance device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 communicating with the removable resistance device using an electronic communications interface through the separate exercise device or the second separate exercise device to enable the separate exercise device or the second separate exercise device to select an amount of resistance applied as directed by the computing device, 
 wherein the electronic communications interface comprises an electrical junction, wherein electrical contact is automatically made when the resistance device is installed within the separate exercise device or the second separate exercise device, and wherein the electronic communications interface is within the frame of at least one of the separate exercise device or the second separate exercise device.