Handle controls systems and methods for exercise equipment

Abstract

Various techniques are provided adjusting user controls in exercise equipment. In one example, a method includes receiving data from output circuitry associated with one or more sensors coupled to one or more handle control systems positioned on a handlebar of an exercise apparatus, processing the data to identify one or more adjustments to be implemented on the exercise apparatus, and providing one or more commands to one or more adjustment mechanisms to implement the one or more identified adjustments. The one or more handle control systems are positioned on the handlebar of the exercise apparatus at a position that allows the user to actuate the resistance knob control without moving the user's hands. Additional methods and systems are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving data from output circuitry associated with one or more sensors coupled to one or more handle control systems positioned on a handlebar of an exercise apparatus;   processing the received data to identify one or more adjustments to be implemented on the exercise apparatus; and   issuing one or more commands to one or more adjustment mechanisms to implement the one or more identified adjustments;   wherein the one or more handle control systems are positioned on the handlebar of the exercise apparatus to enable a user to actuate the one or more handle controls when the user's hands are positioned on the handlebar for exercise.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more handle control systems comprise one or more multi-position shifters, which are biased to a neutral position and shiftable to a plurality of actuated positions;
 wherein movement of the one or more multi-position shifters to one of the plurality of actuated positions is detected by the one or more sensors; and/or   wherein the one or more multi-position shifters provide a tactile response indicating that the one or more multi-position shifters has moved to an actuated position.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more handle control systems include one or more mid-sized shifters, which are biased to a neutral position and shiftable to a plurality of actuated positions;
 wherein movement of the one or more mid-sized shifters to one of the plurality of actuated positions is detected by the one or more sensors; and/or   wherein the one or more mid-sized shifters provide a tactile response indicating that the one or more mid-sized shifters has moved to an actuated position.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more handle control systems include one or more compact shifters, which are biased to a neutral position and shiftable to a plurality of actuated positions;
 wherein movement of the one or more compact shifters to one of the plurality of actuated positions is detected by the one or more sensors; and/or   wherein the one or more compact shifters provide a tactile response indicating that the one or more compact shifters has moved to an actuated position.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more handle control systems include one or more 2-way rocker shifters, which are biased into a neutral position and shiftable to a plurality of actuated positions;
 wherein movement of the one or more 2-way rocker shifters to one of the plurality of actuated positions is detected by the one or more sensors; and/or   wherein the one or more 2-way rocker shifters provide a tactile response indicating that the one or more 2-way rocker shifters has moved to an actuated position.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more handle control systems include one or more rotary controls;
 wherein the one or more rotary controls are positioned on the handlebar of the exercise apparatus to enable actuation of the one or more rotary controls with a thumb of the user when the user's hand is positioned on the handlebar for exercise;   wherein the one or more rotary controls are configured with a surface that facilitates friction on the user's thumb allowing the dial of the one or more rotary controls to be rotated in a clockwise, counterclockwise, forward, and/or backward direction;   wherein movement of the one or more rotary controls is detected by the one or more sensors; and/or   wherein the one or more rotary controls include a plurality of clickable positions providing a tactile response indicating that the one or more rotary controls has moved to a new actuated position and maintaining the one or more rotary controls in the actuated position until moved to a new actuated position by the user.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more handle control systems include one or more mouse wheel controls;
 wherein the one or more mouse wheel controls are positioned on the handlebar of the exercise apparatus to enable actuation of the one or more mouse wheel controls with a thumb or finger of the user when the user's hand is positioned on the handlebar for exercise;   wherein the one or more mouse wheel controls are configured to enable a dial of the one or more mouse wheel controls to be rotated in a clockwise, counterclockwise, forward, and/or backward direction;   wherein movement of the one or more mouse wheel controls is detected by the one or more sensors; and/or   wherein the one or more mouse wheel controls include a plurality of clickable positions providing a tactile response indicating that the one or more mouse wheel controls has moved to a new actuated position and maintaining the one or more mouse wheel controls in the actuated position until moved to a new actuated position by the user.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more handle control systems include one or more coaxial wheel controls;
 wherein the one or more coaxial wheel controls are positioned on the handlebar of the exercise apparatus to enable actuation of the one or more coaxial wheel controls with a thumb or finger of the user when the user's hand is positioned on the handlebar for exercise;   wherein the one or more coaxial wheel controls are configured with a surface that facilitates friction on the user's thumb and/or finger to enable a dial of the one or more coaxial wheel controls to be rotated in a clockwise, counterclockwise, forward, and/or backward direction;   wherein movement of the one or more coaxial wheel controls is detected by the one or more sensors; and/or   wherein the one or more coaxial wheel controls include a plurality of clickable positions providing a tactile response indicating that the one or more coaxial wheel controls has moved to a new actuated position and maintaining the one or more coaxial wheel controls in the actuated position until moved to a new actuated position by the user.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving data from output circuitry, processing the received data, and issuing one or more commands is performed by controller configured to execute stored instructions. 
     
     
         10 . An exercise apparatus configured to perform the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a handle having one or more handle controls, wherein the handle is positioned to receive a user's hand during exercise and wherein the handle controls are positioned on the handle to enable the user to actuate the one or more handle controls when the user's hand is positioned on the handle for exercise;   one or more sensors coupled to the handle controls and configured to sense an actuation of the handle controls by the user;   one or more adjustment mechanisms configured to modify an operation of the exercise apparatus;   a memory component storing machine-executable instructions;   a controller configured to execute the machine-executable instructions to cause the exercise apparatus to:
 receive data from the one or more sensors coupled to the one or more handle controls; 
 process the received data to identify one or more adjustments to be implemented on the exercise apparatus; and 
 issue one or more commands to the one or more adjustment mechanisms to implement the corresponding one or more identified adjustments. 
   
     
     
         12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more handle controls comprise one or more multi-position shifters, which are biased to a neutral position and shiftable to a plurality of actuated positions;
 wherein movement of the one or more multi-position shifters to one of the plurality of actuated positions is detected by the one or more sensors; and/or   wherein the one or more multi-position shifters provide a tactile response indicating that the one or more multi-position shifters has moved to an actuated position.   
     
     
         13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more handle controls include one or more mid-sized shifters, which are biased to a neutral position and shiftable to a plurality of actuated positions;
 wherein movement of the one or more mid-sized shifters to one of the plurality of actuated positions is detected by the one or more sensors; and/or   wherein the one or more mid-sized shifters provide a tactile response indicating that the one or more mid-sized shifters has moved to an actuated position.   
     
     
         14 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more handle controls include one or more compact shifters, which are biased to a neutral position and shiftable to a plurality of actuated positions;
 wherein movement of the one or more compact shifters to one of the plurality of actuated positions is detected by the one or more sensors; and/or   wherein the one or more compact shifters provide a tactile response indicating that the one or more compact shifters has moved to an actuated position.   
     
     
         15 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more handle controls include one or more 2-way rocker shifters, which are biased into a neutral position and shiftable to a plurality of actuated positions;
 wherein movement of the one or more 2-way rocker shifters to one of the plurality of actuated positions is detected by the one or more sensors; and/or   wherein the one or more 2-way rocker shifters provide a tactile response indicating that the one or more 2-way rocker shifters has moved to an actuated position.   
     
     
         16 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more handle controls include one or more rotary controls;
 wherein the one or more rotary controls are positioned on the handle of the exercise apparatus to enable actuation of the one or more rotary controls with a thumb of the user when the user's hand is positioned on the handle for exercise;   wherein the one or more rotary controls are configured with a surface that facilitates friction on the user's thumb allowing the dial of the one or more rotary controls to be rotated in a clockwise, counterclockwise, forward, and/or backward direction;   wherein movement of the one or more rotary controls is detected by the one or more sensors; and/or   wherein the one or more rotary controls include a plurality of clickable positions providing a tactile response indicating that the one or more rotary controls has moved to a new actuated position and maintaining the one or more rotary controls in the actuated position until moved to a new actuated position by the user.   
     
     
         17 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more handle controls include one or more mouse wheel controls;
 wherein the one or more mouse wheel controls are positioned on the handle of the exercise apparatus to enable actuation of the one or more mouse wheel controls with a thumb or finger of the user when the user's hand is positioned on the handle for exercise;   wherein the one or more mouse wheel controls are configured to enable a dial of the one or more mouse wheel controls to be rotated in a clockwise, counterclockwise, forward, and/or backward direction;   wherein movement of the one or more mouse wheel controls is detected by the one or more sensors; and/or   wherein the one or more mouse wheel controls include a plurality of clickable positions providing a tactile response indicating that the one or more mouse wheel controls has moved to a new actuated position and maintaining the one or more mouse wheel controls in the actuated position until moved to a new actuated position by the user.   
     
     
         18 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more handle controls include one or more coaxial wheel controls;
 wherein the one or more coaxial wheel controls are positioned on the handle of the exercise apparatus to enable actuation of the one or more coaxial wheel controls with a thumb or finger of the user when the user's hand is positioned on the handle for exercise;   wherein the one or more coaxial wheel controls are configured with a surface that facilitates friction on the user's thumb and/or finger to enable a dial of the one or more coaxial wheel controls to be rotated in a clockwise, counterclockwise, forward, and/or backward direction;   wherein movement of the one or more coaxial wheel controls is detected by the one or more sensors; and/or   wherein the one or more coaxial wheel controls include a plurality of clickable positions providing a tactile response indicating that the one or more coaxial wheel controls has moved to a new actuated position and maintaining the one or more coaxial wheel controls in the actuated position until moved to a new actuated position by the user.   
     
     
         19 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein receiving data from output circuitry, processing the received data, and issuing one or more commands is performed by controller configured to execute stored instructions. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more commands further comprises updating a display associated with the exercise apparatus to visually indicate the one or more identified adjustments.