Rowing Machine Handle with Integrated Cursor Control Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rowing machine users face difficulties in interacting with complex user interfaces while in motion, as they need to pause their workout to change settings or select options, especially when cursor control is required.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a cursor control device, such as a touch pad, joystick, or ball, onto the rowing machine handle, allowing users to control a cursor on the graphical user interface without interrupting their workout, enabling seamless selection and adjustment of workout parameters and content through user movement and gestures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a menu-driven user interface with buttons is provided on the rowing handle, then ease of operation is improved for simple selections, but the interface cannot support complex cursor-controlled selections without pausing the workout

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of interface operationVSAvoidinterface functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a cursor control device (touchpad, joystick, or ball) with the rowing handle, merging navigation capabilities directly into the exercise equipment. This allows users to control a cursor on the display screen while maintaining their rowing motion, eliminating the need to pause for complex selections and enabling both simple button operations and sophisticated cursor-controlled interface interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the user interface requires cursor control for selections, then interface versatility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because users must pause their workout to interact with the GUI

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface functionalityVSAvoidease of interface operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cursor control device is pre-integrated into the handle, allowing users to prepare and execute interface interactions without interrupting their workout rhythm. The device enables preliminary cursor positioning and selection actions to be performed continuously during exercise, rather than requiring pause-based interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If users pause their workout to interact with the user interface, then ease of operation is improved for complex selections, but productivity deteriorates due to workout interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of interface operationVSAvoidworkout continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated cursor control device enables continuous useful action by allowing users to interact with the graphical user interface without pausing their rowing workout. The touchpad, joystick, or ball mechanism translates hand movements on the handle into cursor movements on the display, maintaining uninterrupted exercise while enabling complex interface operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS11400345B2Rowing machine having a handle with a cursor control device for controlling a cursor at a graphical user interface

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 RECREATION SUPPLY

AI summary

A handle for a rowing machine is provided. The handle has a cursor control device which accepts user input. A processor is in electronic communication with the cursor control device and an electronic display. An electronic storage device comprises executable software instructions, which when executed, configure the processor to receive user input from the cursor control device and move the cursor on a graphical user interface (“GUI”) in response to the received user input or update the GUI based on user input.