Exercise System Synchronizing Video Playback with User Rate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Exercise equipment often lacks motivation due to repetitive exercises and lack of intellectual stimulation, with existing systems struggling to effectively correlate video playback with user exercise rate, leading to a disconnect between simulated terrain and actual exercise experience.

Innovation Solution

An exercise system that synchronizes control signals with display programming to adjust the playback rate of videos or images based on the user's exercise rate, using sensors to monitor parameters like speed and incline, and adjusting the duration or presentation rate of display programming to maintain a synchronized relationship with the user's exercise rate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the video frame rate is adjusted to correlate with exercise rate by modifying duration time stamps, then the synchronization between video playback and exercise rate is improved, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization between video playback and exercise rateVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the playback rate of display programming based on real-time exercise rate feedback. The controller continuously monitors exercise parameters and modifies the presentation rate of video frames accordingly, creating a dynamic synchronization system that adapts to changing exercise conditions without requiring complex manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback loop where the exercise rate sensor provides continuous information about user exercise intensity, and the controller uses this feedback to adjust the video playback rate. This closed-loop control ensures synchronization between exercise rate and display programming while maintaining system simplicity through automated adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the playback rate of display programming is adjusted to match user exercise rate, then the realism and engagement of the virtual exercise experience is improved, but the difficulty of maintaining synchronization increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of display programming to exercise rateVSAvoiddifficulty of maintaining synchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically correlating the playback rate of display programming with the measured exercise rate without external intervention. The controller autonomously modifies video presentation timing based on sensor input, enabling the system to maintain synchronization and adaptability while reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the duration of display programming is modified to correlate with exercise rate, then the motivation and intellectual stimulation for the user is improved, but the loss of time in the exercise routine increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of exercise routineVSAvoidexercise routine duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically modifies the duration and pacing of display programming segments based on real-time exercise rate measurements. During high-intensity exercise phases, the system can accelerate playback or skip segments, while during lower intensity phases, it can provide more detailed visual content, thereby adapting the exercise routine flexibility without significantly extending total exercise time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2739364B1Exercise system with display programming
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 IFIT INC
  • EP2739364B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2739364B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2739364B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An exercise system presents display programming at a rate that is commensurate to a user's exercise rate. The user's exercise rate is monitored and compared to a default exercise rate. When the user's exercise rate is above or below the default exercise rate, the presentation of the display programming is adjusted to maintain a temporal relationship between the user's exercise rate and the display programming. The presentation of the display programming can be adjusted by periodically skipping or pausing frames of the display programming to increase or decrease the duration of the display programming.