[0001] The present invention relates to an exercise machine with an adaptive interface.
[0002] Modern exercise machines for performing aerobic type exercises, such as treadmills,
exercise bicycles, elliptical movement machines, rowing machines and the like, are
equipped with interactive interfaces which allow the checking of the parameters relating
to the exercise being performed (time, distance covered, calories used, and others)
as well as allowing management of these parameters using active controls, so that
the exercise is performed in the desired ways, if necessary preset by the use or his
trainer.
[0003] Nowadays such interfaces preferably consist of a "touch screen" display, which forms
a surface in which there are both "virtual" push-buttons for actively controlling
machine functions and, where required by the user, entertainment elements such as
television programmes, films selected by the user, or other items.
[0004] In practice, it was found that the prior art interactive interfaces are not without
disadvantages, particularly when the above-mentioned exercise is performed on a treadmill.
[0005] While exercising by walking or running on the treadmill, the user's balance and/or
his central position on the belt may be altered by viewing moving images and/or by
staring at images positioned along the lateral edges of the display screen. It was
found that an image at the side of the screen, especially in "wide" format screens,
obliges the subject to divert his gaze to the side or even to turn his head to the
side in order to keep his gaze central. These two conditions induce or promote neuromotor
reflexes which, acting on the symmetry of the step action tend to alter the balance,
causing the user to knock his arms against the treadmill lateral handgrips, or his
feet against the guards at the sides of the belt. Said situation may even involve
a risk of falling, with possible injury to the subject.
[0006] Moreover, while running on the treadmill, the speed causes, through a greater frequency
of steps for higher speeds, a greater frequency of oscillations by the subject's body
(and therefore head) along the vertical axis. Therefore, the running speed also affects
the frequency of the variations of the angle of incidence of the gaze on a fixed screen:
higher speeds correspond to more frequent variations of said angle of incidence. Compensating
adjustment by the eye muscles so as to keep the image fixed on the retina may therefore
be insufficient. At higher running speeds a user will have greater difficulty clearly
perceiving the image on the display.
[0007] In addition, as the speed and therefore the frequency of body oscillations increase,
it is more difficult to use one's fingers to precisely operate the machine control
push-buttons located on the display.
[0008] At present, to overcome these disadvantages, the general tendency is to increase
the dimensions of the machine control push-buttons, consequently increasing the surface
area of the display and therefore the machine dimensions. Said partial solution to
the problem is no longer acceptable.
[0009] The technical purpose of the present invention is therefore to overcome the above-mentioned
disadvantages, by providing an exercise machine with an adaptive interface which allows
the user to keep his gaze on the display while exercising, even with moving images,
without feeling troublesome sensations and without risking loss of balance, in particular
if the exercise machine is a treadmill.
[0010] Within the scope of said technical purpose, the present invention has for an aim
to provide an exercise machine with an adaptive interface which allows the user, while
exercising, to operate the controls on the screen easily and without any difficulty,
even when exercising at high speeds, and even in critical situations such as those
involving sudden loss of balance, or the like, in particular if the exercise machine
is a treadmill.
[0011] Another aim of the present invention is to provide an exercise machine with an adaptive
interface which allows the user to concentrate better and to "immerse himself" in
the multimedia content which can be shown on the display while exercising, above all
at low speeds.
[0012] Yet another aim of the present invention is to provide an exercise machine with an
adaptive interface which has a simple structure, is easy to make in practice, operates
safely and effectively and is relatively inexpensive.
[0013] Said purpose and aims are all achieved by the present exercise machine with an adaptive
interface, comprising at least one processing unit designed to manage and control
the machine, sensor means for transferring information about the machine operating
state to said processing unit, at least one user interface equipped with means for
displaying the machine current operating state and manual control means for the machine
functions, characterised in that it comprises optimisation means, controlled by the
processing unit and designed to modify the display means and the manual control means
when there are variations in at least one machine operating parameter detected by
the sensor means.
[0014] The technical features of the invention, with reference to the above aims, are clearly
described in the claims below, and its advantages are more apparent from the detailed
description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate
preferred, non-limiting embodiments of the invention provided merely by way of example
without restricting the scope of the inventive concept, and in which:
- Figure 1 illustrates a first example embodiment of an exercise machine with an adaptive
interface in accordance with the invention;
- Figure 2 illustrates the adaptive interface in accordance with the invention in a
first operating condition;
- Figure 3 illustrates the adaptive interface in accordance with the invention in a
second operating condition;
- Figure 4 is a block diagram of the exercise machine in accordance with the invention;
- Figure 5 is a side elevation view of a detail of a second example embodiment of the
exercise machine in accordance with the invention;
- Figure 6 illustrates a third example embodiment of an exercise machine with an adaptive
interface in accordance with the invention.
[0015] With reference to the accompanying drawings, and in particular with reference to
Figure 1, the numeral 1 denotes a first example embodiment of an exercise machine
with an adaptive interface in accordance with the invention. Figure 4 shows a functional
block diagram of the exercise machine.
[0016] The first example embodiment described below relates to an exercise machine consisting
of a conventional type treadmill. However, it should be noticed that the exercise
machine may also be of another type (an exercise bicycle, a rowing machine, etc.),
without in any way limiting the scope of the present invention. The treadmill comprises
a frame 2 which rotatably supports a belt 3 on two parallel rollers, not illustrated
in the Figures. The user exercises by walking and running on the belt.
[0017] The treadmill also comprises, supported by two uprights 4, a console 5, from which
there extend two lateral safety handles 6 which allow the user to lean on them while
exercising.
[0018] The treadmill is equipped, in the known way, with a processing unit, labelled 7 in
Figure 4, designed to manage and control the machine. There are also actuator means
8, also of the known type, which in this particular example embodiment are active,
that is to say, there consist of an electric motor which drives the rotation of the
belt 3. The treadmill also comprises sensor means, labelled 9, designed to transfer
to the processing unit 7, from one moment to the next, information about the machine
operating state, such as detection of user presence on the belt, the belt speed of
rotation, the belt incline and other information.
[0019] The console 5 is advantageously equipped with a user interface, labelled 10 as a
whole, which allows the user to actively interact with the machine, that is to say,
to manage all operating parameters relating to the exercise being performed, such
as the time elapsed, distance covered, incline, etc.
[0020] The user interface 10 comprises means 11 for displaying the machine current operating
state, and manual control means, labelled 12 as a whole, which can be operated by
the user. The user can use the display and control means to define as required the
machine operating parameters (time, speed, belt incline, etc.) before performing the
exercise and, above all, while exercising.
[0021] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a user interface 10 of a modern exercise machine.
In said interface 10 the above-mentioned display means 11 comprise a monitor 13 forming
a display 14 preferably of the "touch screen" type. In particular, an upper area 15
of the display is preferably designed to show the above-mentioned machine operating
parameters (time, speed, belt incline, etc.) from one moment to the next, whilst the
central area of the display 14 may be used to display entertainment content for the
user while exercising.
[0022] In contrast, the manual control means 12 usually comprise primary manual controls
17, that is to say, those of fundamental importance for correct management of machine
operation, and secondary manual controls 18, that is to say, those designed to manage
the machine entertainment content (videos, music and other such content).
[0023] The primary manual controls 17 preferably consist of virtual push-buttons (that is
to say, predetermined areas defined in the touch screen which, if touched with a finger,
due to phenomena involving local capacitive variation give rise to electrical signals)
for a machine fast start, stop, variation in the speed of belt 3 rotation, variation
in the belt 3 incline relative to the horizontal plane, and other equivalent push-buttons
for managing the main functions of the machine. The primary manual controls 17 are
preferably located in the lower part of the display 14.
[0024] The secondary manual controls 18, preferably located along one side of the display
14, in contrast consist for example of virtual push-buttons for managing television
programmes which can be shown on the touch screen, for managing radio programmes which
can be listened to using earphones, for managing music tracks, and for managing any
other means of entertainment for the user while exercising.
[0025] According to the invention, the exercise machine advantageously comprises optimisation
means, labelled 19 in the diagram in Figure 4, controlled by the processing unit 7,
designed to modify the display means 11 and the manual control means 12 of the interface
10 when there is a variation in at least one of the machine operating parameters,
defined in more detail in the following description, the parameter being detected
by the sensor means 9.
[0026] In this way the interface 10 therefore becomes an adaptive interface, that is to
say, able to modify its features with regard to user requirements, from one moment
to the next.
[0027] In more detail, the optimisation means 19 are designed to modify the dimensions of
the means 11 for displaying the machine operating state when there are variations
in said operating parameter. In the same way, the above-mentioned optimisation means
19 are designed to modify the dimensions of the manual control means 12 when there
are variations in said parameter.
[0028] The operating parameter referred to appropriately consists of the speed at which
the exercise is performed and, in the particular example embodiment described herein,
the speed of rotation of the treadmill belt 3, corresponding to a predetermined user
walking or running speed.
[0029] For a better understanding, reference should be made to Figure 3, which illustrates
the adaptive interface 10 in an operating condition at high speed (run), compared
with Figure 2, which illustrates the same interface 10 in an operating condition at
low speed (walk).
[0030] Following selection of said parameter, the optimisation means 19 reduce the dimensions
of the display means 11, according to a predetermined calculation algorithm, when
the speed increases, thus allowing improved concentration of the user's gaze on the
interface 10. In particular, the optimisation means 19 act in such a way as to reduce
the dimensions of the display 14, as is schematically illustrated in Figure 3, so
that while exercising the user's gaze is directed at a zone having a smaller surface
area. This gives a noticeable improvement in the clarity of the image perceived, and
a smaller variation in the angle of incidence of the gaze during the run. As a result,
the exercise can be performed in greater comfort.
[0031] The above-mentioned predetermined calculation algorithm is, for example, an algorithm
based on an inverse linear relationship between the speed at which the exercise is
performed and the dimensions of the display 14. However, it may be of a different
type, depending on the specific application requirements.
[0032] The optimisation means 19 are also designed to increase the dimensions of the primary
manual control means 17 according to at least one predetermined calculation algorithm
when there is an increase in the speed at which the exercise is performed, so that
they are more easily and rapidly accessible, above all at the highest speeds. This
is of fundamental importance above all regarding the push-buttons for varying the
belt 3 speed and the emergency stop push-button. The predetermined calculation algorithm
is, for example, based on a direct linear relationship between the speed at which
the exercise is performed and the dimensions of the primary manual control means 17.
However, it may be of a different type, depending on the specific application requirements.
[0033] Even more advantageously, the optimisation means 19 are designed in such a way that
while the exercise is performed they simultaneously increase the dimensions of the
primary manual control means 17 and reduce the dimensions of the display 14, thus
achieving a synergic effect of increasing comfort and increasing the accessibility
of the controls, and therefore increasing safety.
[0034] Another advantageous feature of the present invention is the fact that the optimisation
means 19 are designed to remove from the user interface 10, and therefore from the
display 14, the secondary manual control means 18, according to a predetermined calculation
algorithm, when there is an increase in said speed (in particular when a predetermined
"threshold" value is exceeded). In this way, the user is in no way distracted by the
presence of controls which are not strictly necessary for the management of machine
operation while exercising at high speed. In other words, it was found that an average
user running at high speed on a treadmill directs his attention practically exclusively
at the primary manual controls 17, whilst he tends not to bother with the secondary
controls 18. He tends to focus all of his physical and mental energy on exercising,
and not on managing entertainment content, which could therefore distract him, creating
awkward or dangerous situations.
[0035] Appropriately, the optimisation means 19 may also be designed to increase, according
to a predetermined calculation algorithm, the dimensions of the upper area 15 of the
display intended for displaying the machine operating parameters, when there is an
increase in the running speed, so that said upper area 15 is more visible, above all
at the highest speeds.
[0036] In the example embodiment described herein, the optimisation means 19 are appropriately
connected to the exercise machine processing unit 7 and are controlled by the latter.
The optimisation means may consist of at least one dedicated hardware module, suitably
made by assembling electronic components.
[0037] Alternatively, where it proves particularly advantageous and economical, the optimisation
means 19 may be of the software type. In more detail, they may be made by means of
suitable modifications to the existing exercise machine management software, resident
in the processing unit 7.
[0038] The following is a brief non-limiting description, provided by way of example only,
of an optimisation process for defining the correct dimensions of the display means
11 and of the manual control means 12 while the user is exercising at a predetermined
speed.
[0039] Said process, consisting of a calculation algorithm implemented by the optimisation
means 19, involves a set of parameters, some set in advance and others detected by
the exercise machine sensor means 9, hereinafter listed with respective example abbreviations:
- the maximum speed at which it is safe to display full screen images (usually 6 km/h,
that is to say, 1 km/h less than the speed at which a person has to start running
to avoid being thrown off the treadmill), in short "V min";
- the maximum speed at which a user can exercise, which in this case corresponds to
the maximum speed at which the user can still look at a screen while running, usually
between 16 km/h and 18 km/h, in short "V max";
- the current speed at which the user is exercising, in short "V user";
- the maximum size of the display 14, in short "D max";
- the minimum size at which an image can be shown on the display 14 and still have a
meaning or be legible, in short "D min";
- the minimum size at which each push-button can be shown on the display 14, in short
"BD min";
- the maximum size at which each push-button can be shown on the display 14, in short
"BD max";
- the current size at which the push-buttons are shown on the display 14, in short "BD
user";
- the current size of the display 14, in short "D user";
- the set of primary manual controls 17, in short "PB";
- the set of secondary manual controls 18, in short "SB";
- the set of manual controls 12 currently shown on the screen, in short "B user".
[0040] The optimisation process comprises a step of comparing "V user" and "V min": if "V
user" is less than "V min", there follows a step of assigning the "D max" value to
"D user", a step of assigning the "BD min" value to "BD user", and a step of assigning
the combined "PB" and "SB" sets to the "B user" set.
[0041] If, in contrast, during the comparison step, "V user" is greater than "V min", there
follows a step of assigning to "D user" the value of "D min" plus the value of "V
user" minus "V min" divided by the product of "V max" minus "V min" multiplied by
"D max" minus "D min", and a step of assigning to "BD user" the value of "BD min"
plus the value of "V user" minus "V min" divided by the product of "V max" minus "V
min" multiplied by "BD max" minus "BD min", and a step of assigning the "PB" set to
the "B user" set.
[0042] Therefore, as indicated the invention achieves the preset aims.
[0043] The optimisation means 19, which can be perfectly integrated in a conventional type
exercise machine, allow the elimination of problems relating to correct viewing of
the display 14 by the user while running, even at the highest speeds, making the user
interface 10 able to adapt to the various conditions for performing the exercise.
Moreover, they allow noticeable improvement in user safety conditions during a run,
in particular as regards rapid accessibility of the push-buttons for reducing the
speed and/or the machine emergency stop push-button.
[0044] The invention described may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby
departing from the scope of the inventive concept.
[0045] Figure 5 is a schematic detailed view of a second example embodiment of an exercise
machine with an adaptive interface 10 in accordance with the invention.
[0046] In this second example embodiment the optimisation means 19 advantageously comprise
an actuator 20, controlled by the exercise machine processing unit 7, designed to
modify the machine operating state display means 11. In more detail, the actuator
20 allows modification of the position of the display means 11 relative to the position
of the user, according to a predetermined calculation algorithm depending on the speed
at which the exercise is performed. The actuator 20, controlled by the processing
unit 7, basically allows variation of the vertical position and/or angle of the display
means 11 relative to the machine console 5, and therefore relative to the user's eyes,
so that looking at the display 14 while running is more comfortable and safer. It
was found that the typical position adopted by the user's head while running at the
highest speeds requires adjustment of the position of the display 14 to obtain viewing
angles and directions which are ergonomically more correct than those required, for
example, for exercise consisting of a walk.
[0047] The actuator 20 may consist, for example, of at least one electric motor, connected
to transmission means which are basically of the known and conventional type, allowing
the monitor 13 to be translated and/or rotated according to the speed at which the
exercise is performed on the exercise machine.
[0048] Figure 6 is a schematic view of a third example embodiment of the exercise machine
with an adaptive interface 10 in accordance with the invention.
[0049] In this third example embodiment the exercise machine consists of an exercise bicycle
comprising a frame 21 rotatably supporting a movement unit 22 with pedals 23. The
frame 21 also supports a saddle 24 and a front upright 25 at the top of which the
user interface 10 is located, equipped with machine operating state display means
11, and connected to a handgrip 26 for the user's hands.
[0050] In this example embodiment the optimisation means 19 are advantageously designed
to modify the display means 11 with regard to a different machine operating parameter,
detected by the sensor means 9, and specifically the distance between the user's head
and the interface 10 while the user is exercising. In more detail, the optimisation
means 19 vary the dimensions of the display means 11, and in particular of the display
14, according to at least one predetermined calculation algorithm, depending on the
posture of the user on the exercise machine.
[0051] For this purpose, the machine is equipped with manual contact type sensor means 9,
located in the machine handgrip zones and designed to detect the position of the hands
so as to identify the posture adopted by the user on the exercise machine, and therefore
the distance separating his eyes from the display 14.
[0052] Detecting the user's posture on the machine therefore allows variation of the dimensions
of the display 14 in inverse proportion to the distance separating the user's eyes
from it. In other words, if the user on the bicycle adopts a position in which he
is leaning forwards, the dimensions of the display 14 are reduced by a predetermined
quantity by the calculation algorithm. In contrast, if the user on the bicycle adopts
a position in which he is leaning backwards, the dimensions of the display 14 are
increased by a predetermined quantity. This guarantees the optimum display 14 size
for each user posture.
[0053] Also in the example embodiment just described, the optimisation means 19 are appropriately
connected to the exercise machine processing unit 7 and are controlled by the latter.
They may consist of at least one dedicated hardware module, or they may be of the
software type.
[0054] The invention described above is susceptible of industrial application and may be
modified and adapted in many other ways without thereby departing from the scope of
the inventive concept. Moreover, all details of the invention may be substituted by
technically equivalent elements without departing from the protective scope of the
claims herein.
1. An exercise machine with an adaptive interface, comprising at least one processing
unit (7) designed to manage and control the machine, sensor means (9) for transferring
information about the machine operating state to said processing unit (7), at least
one user interface (10) equipped with means (11) for displaying the machine current
operating state and manual control means (12) for the machine functions, the machine
being characterised in that it comprises optimisation means (19), controlled by the processing unit (7) and designed
to modify the display means (11) and the manual control means (12) when there are
variations in at least one machine operating parameter detected by the sensor means
(9).
2. The exercise machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the optimisation means (19) are designed to modify the dimensions of the machine
operating state display means (11) when there are variations in at least one machine
operating parameter.
3. The exercise machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the optimisation means (19) are designed to modify the dimensions of the manual control
means (12) when there are variations in at least one machine operating parameter.
4. The exercise machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the operating parameter consists of the speed at which the user performs the exercise,
the optimisation means (19) being designed to reduce the dimensions of the machine
operating state display means (11) according to a predetermined calculation algorithm
when said speed increases, allowing improved concentration of the user's gaze on the
interface (10).
5. The exercise machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the operating parameter consists of the speed at which the user performs the exercise,
the optimisation means (19) being designed to increase the dimensions of the manual
control means (12) according to a predetermined calculation algorithm when said speed
increases, so that they are more easily and rapidly accessible.
6. The exercise machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the operating parameter consists of the speed at which the user performs the exercise,
the optimisation means (19) being designed to reduce the dimensions of the display
means (11), allowing improved concentration of the user's gaze on the interface (10),
and to increase the dimensions of the manual control means (12), so that they are
more easily and rapidly accessible, according to respective predetermined calculation
algorithms, when there is an increase in the speed.
7. The exercise machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the operating parameter consists of the speed at which the user performs the exercise
and also be characterised in that the manual control means (12) comprise primary manual controls (17), of fundamental
importance for correct machine management, and secondary manual controls (18), designed
to manage the machine entertainment content, the optimisation means (19) being designed
to remove the secondary manual control means (18) from the user interface, according
to at least one predetermined calculation algorithm, when there is an increase in
the speed.
8. The exercise machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the optimisation means (19) are designed to increase, according to at least one predetermined
calculation algorithm, the dimensions of at least an upper area (15) of the display
means (11) designed to show the machine operating parameters, when there is an increase
in the speed at which the user performs the exercise.
9. The exercise machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the optimisation means (19) comprise at least one hardware module which is operatively
connected to the processing unit (7) and controlled by the processing unit.
10. The exercise machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the optimisation means (19) are of the software type.
11. The exercise machine according to one or more of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the display means (11) comprise at least one "touch screen" type display (14).
12. The exercise machine according to claim 11, characterised in that the manual control means (12) comprise at least one push-button in the "touch screen"
type display which is designed to manage at least one respective machine operating
parameter.
13. The exercise machine according to claim 2, characterised in that the operating parameter consists of the distance separating the user's head from
the interface (10), the optimisation means (19) being designed to vary the dimensions
of the display means (11), according to at least one predetermined calculation algorithm,
depending on the posture of the user on the machine.
14. The exercise machine according to claim 13, characterised in that it comprises sensor means (9), located along the machine handgrip (26), being designed
to detect the position of the user's hands so as to identify the user's posture on
the exercise machine, and therefore the distance separating the user's head from the
display means (11).
15. A process for optimising the user interface (10) of an exercise machine,
characterised in that it implements the following steps one after another:
- detecting the speed at which the exercise is performed on the exercise machine;
- reducing the dimensions of the machine operating state display means (11), according
to at least one predetermined calculation algorithm, when there is an increase in
said speed;
- increasing the dimensions of the primary manual control means (17), according to
at least one predetermined calculation algorithm, when there is an increase in said
speed.
16. The process according to claim 15, characterised in that it comprises a step of removing the secondary manual control means (18) from the
display means (11), according to at least one predetermined calculation algorithm,
when there is an increase in said speed.
17. A process for optimising the user interface (10) of an exercise machine,
characterised in that it implements the following steps one after another:
- detecting the user's posture on the exercise machine, using sensor means (9);
- modifying the dimensions of the exercise machine operating state display means (11),
according to at least one predetermined calculation algorithm, when there is a variation
is said posture.