System and method for simulating environmental conditions on an exercise device

Abstract

An exercise system includes a simulation system simulating real-world terrain based on environmental and other real-world conditions. Using topographical or other data, an actual location can be simulated. The exercise system may include a speed, incline or other mechanisms that can be adjusted based on changes in simulated slope, and by amounts simulating actual air resistance due to movement, wind, or both. The simulated speed of the person, as well as speed and direction of simulated wind, are used to determine a simulated air speed. Based on the simulated air speed, the simulation system determines the simulated air resistance that would affect the person under real-world conditions, and changes reflective of the simulated air resistance are made to operating parameters of the exercise system. Simulation may occur by causing the user of the exercise system to expend about the same effort as if performing the exercise in the real-world conditions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 598,509 filed on Aug. 29, 2012 and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMULATING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ON AN EXERCISE BICYCLE,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 530,298 filed on Sep. 1, 2011 and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMULATING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ON AN EXERCISE BICYCLE” and further claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 656,764 filed on Jun. 7, 2012 and entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMULATING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ON AN EXERCISE DEVICE.”TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for exercising. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to exercise device systems and methods for selective adjustment of the exercise equipment to simulate effects of wind on a runner and / or effects of real-world terrain on the runner.BACKGROUND[0003]W...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system that can simulate resistance by making it harder to move an object or by slowing down its performance data. This helps to create a more realistic simulation for testing and training purposes.

Problems solved by technology

While exercise equipment continues to be popular for casual and serious exercise enthusiasts who wish to exercise at home, in a gym, or in another indoor location, it remains a challenge to motivate a user to use the exercise device on a consistent and ongoing basis.

This lack of motivation often is a result of the inability such devices have to realistically simulate real-world conditions.

Users of exercise equipment often fail to enjoy a workout, or believe such a workout is insufficiently effective, because the equipment lacks the sort of realism of running, biking, or otherwise exercising on a real road or on other real-world terrain.

Merely running on a treadmill or elliptical machine and adjusting the user's own pace or adjusting the incline is, however, often insufficient to maintain a user's motivation to consistently use the indoor exercise equipment.

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