Lighting for fitness machines and methods for controlling lighting for fitness machines

Abstract

A method for controlling a fitness machine having a light. The method includes receiving a preset time for a user to perform an exercise using the fitness machine, receiving a request to start the exercise, and controlling the light in a first operating mode. The method further includes counting an elapsed time since the exercise was started, determining a remaining time as a difference between the elapsed time and the preset time, and comparing the remaining time to a threshold time. The method further includes changing the light to a second operating mode different than the first operating mode when the remaining time is less than the threshold time to thereby indicate that the exercise will be ending.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling a fitness machine having a light, the method comprising:
 receiving a preset time for a user to perform an exercise using the fitness machine;   receiving a request to start the exercise;   controlling the light in a first operating mode;   counting an elapsed time since the exercise was started;   determining a remaining time as a difference between the elapsed time and the preset time, and comparing the remaining time to a threshold time; and   changing the light to a second operating mode different than the first operating mode when the remaining time is less than the threshold time to thereby indicate that the exercise will be ending.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising changing the light from the second operating mode after the elapsed time exceeds the preset time. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the threshold time is 0 seconds. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to the  claim 1 , wherein the fitness machine includes a crankset rotatable by the user while performing the exercise, wherein the light at least partially encircles the crankset, and wherein the light is controlled in the second operating mode so as to create an appearance of rotating about the crankset. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising changing the light to a third operating mode different than the second operating mode after a predetermined duration, wherein the predetermined duration is less than the threshold time. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the threshold time is a plurality of threshold times and wherein the light is separated into a plurality of segments, further comprising controlling the plurality of segments based on which of the plurality of threshold times the remaining time is less than such the light changes as the remaining time changes. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the light is a particular light among multiple lights on the fitness machine, and wherein the particular light faces away from the user performing the exercise so as to be visible by others. 
     
     
         8 . A method for controlling a treadmill having a light, the method comprising:
 determining whether a belt of the treadmill is rotating;   detecting an absence of a user on the belt while the belt is rotating; and   changing an operation of the light when the absence of a user on the belt is detected while the belt is rotating so as to provide warning that the belt is rotating.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising waiting a predetermined time after detecting the absence of the user on the belt while the belt is rotating before changing the operation of the light. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the predetermined time is a first predetermined time, further comprising changing the operation of the light again if the absence of the user on the belt remains for a second predetermined time after the first predetermined time. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the light is changed to red after the first predetermined time and changed in brightness after the second predetermined time. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the light is a particular light among multiple lights on the treadmill, and wherein the particular light is positioned adjacent to the belt. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the absence of the user is detected via monitoring sensors positioned under a deck supporting the belt of the treadmill. 
     
     
         14 . A method for controlling a fitness machine, the method comprising:
 receiving a request to start an exercise for a user to perform using fitness machine;   controlling a light associated with a storage area of the fitness machine in a first operating mode;   determining that the exercise has ended; and   changing the light to a second operating mode different than the first operating mode when the exercise has ended to remind the user to check the storage area.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the storage area is a cupholder. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising counting an elapsed time since the exercise was started and temporarily changing the light to a third operating mode different than the first operating mode on a periodic basis to remind the user to hydrate. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising receiving a preset time for the user to perform the exercise, counting an elapsed time since the exercise was started, and comparing the elapsed time to the preset time, wherein the exercise is determined to have ended when the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the preset time. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising detecting an absence of a user on the fitness machine and determining that the exercise has ended when detecting the absence of the user. 
     
     
         19 . A method for controlling a fitness machine, the method comprising:
 receiving a request to start an exercise for a user to perform using fitness machine;   controlling a light associated with a cupholder in a first operating mode;   counting an elapsed time since the exercise was started; and   temporarily changing the light to a second operating mode different than the first operating mode on a periodic basis to remind the user to hydrate.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the light cycles between on and off states when in the second operating mode, and wherein the light is operated in the second operating mode for less than 5 seconds before returning to the first operating mode.