초록 ▼

An exercise treadmill machine is provided in which an optical sensor monitors the position of a user on the treadmill and automatically varies the speed of the treadmill to keep the user near a predetermined position on the treadmill's endless belt. The optical sensor preferably includes an infrared

An exercise treadmill machine is provided in which an optical sensor monitors the position of a user on the treadmill and automatically varies the speed of the treadmill to keep the user near a predetermined position on the treadmill's endless belt. The optical sensor preferably includes an infrared (IR) emitter and an IR detector which are located in or near the treadmill control panel that also houses a preprogrammed microprocessor. The microprocessor controls the speed of the belt as required to adjust for variations in the position of the user.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An exercise treadmill machine comprising:a treadmill in the form of an endless-belt mounted on or within a supporting chassis and having an exposed upper treading surface upon which a user may walk or run;a motor for driving the treadmill at a desired speed;an optical sensor mounte

[ We claim:] [1.] An exercise treadmill machine comprising:a treadmill in the form of an endless-belt mounted on or within a supporting chassis and having an exposed upper treading surface upon which a user may walk or run;a motor for driving the treadmill at a desired speed;an optical sensor mounted in substantial fixed relation with the chassis and adapted to sense the position of a user by measuring the relative intensity of a frequency-modulated signal reflected by the user; andcontrol circuitry for averaging a series of multiple sensed positions to provide a computed average position and periodically increasing and/or decreasing the speed of the motor in accordance with the computed average position of the user so as to maintain the user in a substantially fixed position relative to the chassis.