Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a weighted hand held electronic device that is ergonomically shaped to fit one&#39;s hand. The device has the ability to control another device such as a television using built in remote control capabilities and the ability to control an auxiliary device such as a phone, music player, or other device that can be attached to this handheld device. The handheld device makes walking, running, or other forms of exercising easier and more productive while watching television because of the device&#39;s weight, convenience and functionality.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: 
       [0001]    Physical exercise is very important and helpful to people. It improves health and the exerciser&#39;s mood and it burns fat, builds muscle, helps one&#39;s cardiac system, and it has many more advantages. There are many types of exercise that one can do such as walking, running, swimming, stair climbing, using an elliptical machine, lifting weights, resistance exercising, push-ups, pull ups, squats, yoga, and many others involving different types of motion and resistance. Leg exercises, such as walking, running, elliptical, stair climbing and others primarily help improve lower body strength and cardio functions, When one adds in upper body exercises such as lifting weights, it is more efficient in improving health because the cardiac work out increases and the user exercises additional sections of the body. Lifting weights while doing lower body exercise is also time efficient as it exercises multiple sections of the body in the time it would otherwise take to exercise fewer sections. There are many types of equipment and weights used to increase resistance to the exerciser. One type of weight is a dumbbell. 
         [0002]    Dumbbells are weights used for exercising. They may be used for many types of exercise, most of which involve lifting them or holding them. They may also be used when doing other exercises like walking or running. Dumbbells are typically shaped like a capital I and are available in different weights. 
         [0003]    While exercising, one can listen to music, audio books and other sources or watch television or other visuals to keep entertained. This can be significant in allowing the individual to exercise longer than otherwise and therefore achieve greater results from their exercise. 
         [0004]    Television remote control devices control a distribution source, such as a television or cable box, and are used to change the channel, volume, or other parameters on the television or other distribution source. Such a device does so by, for example sending a signal wirelessly to the television, which the television receives and does the command it is being told to do by the remote control. 
         [0005]    There are problems that can be faced while using typical remote controls while an individual is exercising. Some problems which may be faced are; small buttons, buttons that are hard to press while in motion, the need to look at the remote control instead of focusing on exercise or entertainment, a multitude of buttons not needed while exercising, where to place or hold the remote control, sweat getting onto or into the remote control which makes the remote control wet, slippery, unsanitary, and could cause malfunctions, and other problems are possible. Only some primary function buttons such as volume, channel, and power are needed while exercising. Typical remote controls are not ergonomic which makes remote controls hard to hold and the buttons hard to locate and press when in motion. Typical remote controls are not durable enough to survive a drop to a hard and/or moving exercise surface which is more likely to happen with a remote control that is not ergonomically designed, wet with sweat, and/or being held by an individual in motion. Moreover, typical remote controls are very light. Holding such a device in one&#39;s hand while exercising does not substantially add to one&#39;s exercise. 
         [0006]    If an individual is exercising with dumbbells or other weights in one or both hands, and the person exercising wants to change some parameter on the television or other device, the person must put down the weights and pick up the television remote to affect the desired change. This may be either not convenient or not possible while an individual in exercising. 
         [0007]    People running, walking and other exercising outdoors carry many types of devices like personal music players, mobile phones, geolocator devices, pedometers, other activity monitoring devices, heart monitors, and others. Some examples of these devices are Iphones, android phones, Ipods, GPS, MP3 players, Zoons, and others. These devices are used in order to make the physical activity more enjoyable, more effective, productive, and/or more convenient. 
         [0008]    Currently people use a variety of means to hold these devices such as armbands, waist belts, pockets, wrist bands, clips, and others. There is a potential problem faced with each of these methods. If the device is not hand held and/or not of sufficient weight, there will be no exercise benefit added. If the devices are not ergonomic, they can be hard to operate while exercising. For example, if the user much reach for a button while running, the user may find it difficult to position a finger on the button. If the device is in a pocket, clipped to the person&#39;s clothing, or within an arm band, accessing the device may be difficult. These are just some examples of problems that one could encounter. 
         [0009]    Using a complicated, inconvenient, non-ergonomic, electronic device while exercising can also be dangerous to the individual as it increases the risk of an accident while exercising. Using touch screen type devices can be especially complicated to use during physical activity as the user must often power or wake up the device, input a pass code, fingerprint scan, select one or more icons or other menu items, and then input the desired command. 
         [0010]    There is an unmet need for a remote control device compatible with exercise activities and an unmet need for a weighted remote control to enhance the user&#39;s level of exercise during a workout. 
         [0011]    Some attempts have been made to combine the attributes of the present invention, although unsuccessfully. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,508 describes an adjustable hand-held exercise weight with pulse detection and remote control capabilities. Some disadvantages are that it can only fit one type of remote control that is already built in the device and it cannot hold other electronic devices. Also, the buttons are not in the most easily accessible location on the device and the shape does not ergonomically fit the shape of the hand. 
         [0012]    Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,070 describes a weighted remote control. The disadvantage of this device is that the user must reach his/her fingers to reach the buttons near the top of the device and it does not ergonomically fit the shape of the hand. Also. this device does not have a means of attaching an auxiliary device. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  depicts the weighted device of the present invention in the form of a dumbbell shape. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]    The present invention is directed to meeting the unmet need of making remote control devices compatible with and beneficial for physical activity such as exercise. The weighted, handheld electronic device (“weighted control device”) can be in the shape of a dumbbell, or be cylindrical, grooved, smooth, or any other shape such that it can be easily hand held while exercising. The exterior can be made out of rubber, plastic, vinyl, metal and/or other materials. In the preferred embodiment, the device is shaped like a dumbbell with finger grooves and its exterior surface is formed of a rubberized and spongy material so as to provide the benefits of ease of holding, especially as the hand becomes moist from exercise, and absorbency. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the weighted handheld electronic device  1 . The weighted handheld electronic device  1  preferably has five ergonomically shaped ridges  5  that each has one button  3  inside. The buttons  3  control a secondary electronic device. A battery  2  that can also be the power source to the auxiliary device that is attached to the attachment site  4  and the buttons  3 . Additional weight may be added consequential to material like sand or water or other solids or liquids that will be poured through the compartment-filling cap  6  into a compartment  7 . 
         [0016]    The device can have an adapter to receive/hold an auxiliary device such as a television remote control, mp3 player, phone, or others: and/or the device can have its own built-in buttons, switches, knobs or other control features which can be used to send a signal to another device. In the present invention, these built in buttons, switches, knobs, or other control features can be positioned in ridges made for fingers that would be ergonomically shaped to fit ones hand and fingers 
         [0017]    If these control features are built in to the weighted control device, there would not need to be as many buttons as on a standard remote control, which would make this ergonomic and weighted remote control device simpler and easier to use. 
         [0018]    The signaling capability on the weighted remote control device can control functions on either a television (or cable box, among others) remote device or on an auxiliary device that is adapted to the weighted remote control device. There may be a compartment, slot, adapter or other element where one may connect or mate with a phone or other device to the weighted remote control and still use the device while attached. In addition or in the alternative, the signaling capability can control an electronic device housed within the weighted handheld device and/or connected to the weighted handheld device. That is, any or all of the buttons may control devices internally or externally, and different buttons can control different devices or even different functions of different devices. 
         [0019]    The signaling capability may be enhanced by being two way. For example, data can be delivered to the device of the present invention with indication of receipt, such as by audible indicator. The audible (or other) indicator may be included in the device itself or in an auxiliary element mated with the device. 
         [0020]    The weighted remote control can be any weight above that of a conventional remote control device. The device would preferably be 1 to 10 pounds in weight, more preferably 2 to 5 pounds, as is common for individuals to hold during exercise. The specific weight depends on the ability and objectives of the individual user. The device could get most of its weight from an internal solid or liquid. For example, the device could include an internal compartment which could be filled with either sand, water, gel, or a material of any type that would make the device heavier. The device could get its weight from being filled up with those materials, in which case, it could also be emptied and be less heavy, which would make it easier for travel, or it could have permanent internal weight. The device would be good for travel, good for customizing to a desired weight if being filled up, and if it is filled with water or another liquid, it could be a good source of water or other liquid to drink for hydration or to cool one&#39;s self off with The weight may also be consequential to an internal large battery that can be used for additional power to the remote and/or auxiliary devices. The device could have integrated electronics or controls. The device can have a compartment, to which an auxiliary electronic device may be attached. The device could have a mating connector for portable media players, GPS devices, phones, transmitters of any type, or anything else. The buttons on the remote are large and easily engageable. The buttons could be, but may not be limited to; the volume up and down buttons, the channel up and down buttons, and the power button. 
         [0021]    A weighted remote control device according to the present invention could have built in audio speakers to add weight to the remote control as well as provide audio to the user that is transmitted from an adapted electronic device such as an mp3 device, phone, GPS device, or others. 
         [0022]    The accompanying figure illustrates a preferred embodiment of a weighted handheld electronic device and respective constituent parts, however, other types and styles are possible, and the drawing is not intended to be limiting in that regard. Thus, although the description above and the accompanying drawing contains much specificity, the details provided should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiment. The drawings and the description are not to be taken as restrictive on the scope of the embodiment and are understood as broad and general teachings in accordance with the present invention. While the present embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that modifications and variations to such embodiment, including but not limited to the substitutions of equivalent features, materials, or parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0023]    In the preferred embodiment, the weighted control device of the present invention is ergonomically shaped to compliment the human hand and includes a gripper portion. The exterior is formed of plastic or rubber. The device includes ergonomically placed buttons. The weight is or may be adjustable based on the actual composition of the device. The weight largely is consequential to an internal rechargeable battery that can power the handheld device as well as any connected electronic device. The weight may also be consequential to fixed materials within the device for the purpose of adding weight to the device. The weight may also be consequential to addition of other materials such as solids or liquids that can be added to the device on a temporary basis. 
         [0024]    The weighted control device of the present invention includes a connection for another electronic device that can attach to it either directly or via an adapter. A compartment or other means of connection for an auxiliary electronic device may be included or attached to the handheld device. The auxiliary electronic device may be able to operate off of the battery in the weighted control device, and the auxiliary electronic device may be able to charge its own internal battery from the battery in the handheld electronic device. One or more buttons on the handheld electronic device are placed at or around the fingertips of when the device is gripped. Additional weight can be added from water or another liquid or solid material that can temporarily or permanently be housed in an internal compartment. That compartment can be opened up like a canteen and include a spout to allow the user to drink liquid for hydration while exercising. The weighted control device is waterproof or water resistant so that the water will not affect the device or an attached auxiliary device. The buttons on the device may control volume up and down, channel up and down, and power on and off. The buttons can operate as a remote control for another device such as a video or audio device or provide other controls. The buttons can also operate an auxiliary device that is attached or connected to the handheld device, For example, the buttons could control the volume up and down, and next and previous song of a music-playing device when attached to the handheld device. The buttons can also control the volume of a phone that is attached to the handheld device.