Abstract:
A system and method for controlling a tension in an exercise apparatus are provided. The system includes an input/output (I/O) subsystem for permitting a user to enter at least one resistance value and for displaying a resistance exerted by the exercise apparatus; a controller configured to control the tension of the exercise apparatus based on the at least one resistance value entered by the user adjusting a position of a holder and moving a plurality of guides for selective attachment of tension members to catches on the exercise apparatus; and a power source connected to the controller and the I/O subsystem and configured to power the controller and the I/O subsystem.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/359,216 filed on Jan. 26, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,585,554, which is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional Application 61/436,426, filed on Jan. 26, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to exercise equipment generally, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for electronically controlling resistance in exercise equipment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]      FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional Pilates reformer  100  having a carriage  110  for accommodating a user&#39;s body that rides on rails  120 . The movement of the carriage  110  is tensioned through a series of springs  130  that are variably attached to a spring support bar  140  that is fixed in position relative to the rails  120 . If no springs  130  are attached to the support bar  140 , then the carriage  110  will ride freely on the rails  120  in response to a force applied by a user, such as by a user pulling on hand grips  150  that are attached to the carriage  110  by cords  160  or the like. To increase the resistance to movement of the carriage relative to the rails  120 , to thereby make it more challenging for a user to move the carriage  110 , additional springs  130  are successively attached to the spring support bar  140  until the desired spring tension is achieved. 
         [0004]    In this example, the amount of spring tension experienced by the carriage  110  is a function of the inherent spring characteristics (i.e. material, length, diameter, pitch, number of winds, frequency of compression), the length of an attached spring  130  as defined between the carriage  110  and the support bar  140 , the motion of the spring  130  relative to the support bar  140 , and the number of springs  130  attached to the support bar  140  at a particular time. If all springs  130  have the same inherent characteristics, then the attachment of five springs  130  to the support bar  140  will generate five times the amount of tension as if only one spring  130  was attached. If each of the springs  130  has a different identifiable inherent characteristic, then the tension can be adjusted by attaching different combinations of springs  130  to the support bar  140 , where there are thirty-two possible tension combinations with five springs  130 , sixty-four possible tension combinations with six springs, and so on. In addition to the tension characteristics of each spring  130 , the support bar  140  position can be adjusted to modify the length of travel of the carriage  110  on the rails  120 . Thus, there are large variations in tension that can be achieved by modifying a variety of variables including the position of the support bar  140  and the number of springs  130  attached between the carriage  110  and the support bar  140 . 
         [0005]    In the above example, the ability to fine tune the tension is limited and can be somewhat challenging, especially if multiple adjustments are necessary in an exercise session. In the case of Pilates spring loaded machines in particular, the sequence of selecting the required resistance is typically not intuitive and not user friendly, and in many occasions the user is required to remember a certain spring combination, or to do a calculation on the spot. Therefore the user may possibly connect the springs incorrectly to achieve a total final resistance which is not what is desired. This may also be true for other types of exercise machines as well. 
         [0006]    In addition, adjusting the required resistance in conventional exercise machines is generally inconvenient, requiring that the user stop and change position. Another source of inconveniency is particularly apparent when a machine is being used in a demonstration to several student users, for example. This situation is very common in Pilates classes, where depending on the numbers of students and the class room space, the students frequently cannot witness what adjustments are made as the springs and the adjustment thereof are typically obscured by the frame of the machine. 
         [0007]    In addition, manually adjusting the tension can be disruptive and is subject to user error. There is a need, therefore, for a way to more accurately define and control the tension characteristics in an exercise device like the reformer  100  described above. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    A system for controlling the tension in an exercise apparatus includes a plurality of connectors that are collectively attached to a holder, the holder being movable relative to a fixed support, each connector further comprising a catch for independent attachment to a tension member from an exercise apparatus. Different combinations of tension members can be attached to the connectors using an electronic control system to create a desired tension arrangement, while the holder including all of the connectors can be moved to further fine tune the tension arrangement of the tension members. The control system allows a user to accurately modify the tension arrangement without manually manipulating the tension elements, and provides additional input and output functionality that enables a user to engage the exercise apparatus and extract meaningful data that is representative of the user&#39;s exercise regimen. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a convention Pilates reformer. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  illustrates one embodiment of an exercise device of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an alternate embodiment of an exercise device of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of a partially exploded frontal perspective view of an exercise device of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a partially exploded rear perspective view of an exercise device of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of a control system used with an exercise device of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of a partial cross-section of an exercise device of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment of a close-up rear view of an exercise device of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8A  illustrates one embodiment of a spring connector in a first position and  FIG. 8B  illustrates one embodiment of a spring connector in a second position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  through  FIG. 12  illustrate one embodiment of springs attaching to connectors in a control system of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  illustrates one embodiment of a system diagram. 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  illustrates one embodiment of a control system used with an exercise device of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 15A  and  FIG. 15B  illustrates an alternate embodiment of an exercise device of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 16A  and  FIG. 16B  illustrates an alternate embodiment of an exercise device of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 17A  and  FIG. 17B  illustrates a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of an exercise device of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 18A  and  FIG. 18B  illustrates an alternate embodiment of an exercise device of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto. 
         [0026]    This disclosure describes the best mode or modes of practicing the invention as presently contemplated. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides an example of the invention presented solely for illustrative purposes by reference to the accompanying drawings to advise one of ordinary skill in the art of the advantages and construction of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2A  illustrates one embodiment of an exercise device  200  of the present invention in the nature of a Pilates reformer  200  having a carriage  210  for accommodating a user&#39;s body that rides on rails  220 . The movement of the carriage  210  is tensioned through a series of resilient, elastic elements such as springs  230   a  through  230   e  (collectively springs  230 ) having ring-shaped ends  232   a  through  232   e  (see  FIG. 5 ; collectively ends  232 ) that are variably attached to a control system  300  for controlling the tension provided by the springs  230  as will be described below. While a Pilates reformer is shown and described, it will be appreciated that the control system  300  may be used with other types of exercise devices now known or hereinafter developed, including, but not limited to a traditional plate loaded weight machine arrangement (FIG.  2 B), and other machines including pulley machines, smith machines, leg press machines, arm press machines, pull-over machines, rowing, butterfly machines, etc., where the traditional weight stack (not shown) is replaced with a control system  300  of the present disclosure. Thus, the control system may be portable and transportable and other systems and machines are possible. In addition, while the elastic elements are described as coil springs  230  having ring-shaped ends  232 , it will be appreciated that other types of elastic elements or non-elastic elements may be used, including, but not limited to, linear or non-linear springs, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0028]    The control system  300  is generally illustrated in  FIG. 3  through  FIG. 12  and includes a cover  310  having a control panel  312  and a display  314  with a keypad  316  for communications with a user as will be described below. An additional control panel  322  having a display  324  may be attached to the exercise device  200  by way of a support  326  that is either freestanding or attached directly to the exercise device  200  and preferably associated with the control system  300  for communications with a user as will also be described below. The control panel  322  may also include a keypad (not shown) and speaker  328  and/or other input and output elements (not shown) for communications with a user. The cover  310  is removably positioned over the mechanical and electrical components of the control system  300  and is typically not removed unless it is desired to access the mechanical and electrical components during operation or servicing of the control system  300 . Otherwise, the cover  310  primarily serves a protective and an aesthetic function and also prevents a user from inadvertently impacting the components during exercising, transport or the like. The control system  300  operates through a processor  305  that controls and manages the functionality of the control system  300  as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0029]    As will be described in more detail below, the control panels  312  and  322  provide a user with various types of information and feedback relating to use of the device  200 . The control system  300  preferably includes a data holding system  410  (see the discussion in connection with  FIG. 13  below) that includes volatile memory  412  and non-volatile memory  414  ( FIG. 13 ) for storing information relating to the past and present operation of the device by one or more users. For example, information about past exercise workouts may be stored for immediate access and review, analysis and improvement tracking through the control panels, while information about an active workout may be similarly displayed in real time during a present workout. This information might include, for example, the arrangement of the attached springs  230  and the amount of resistance imparted to the carriage  210 , the travel length of the carriage  210 , the speed and movement of the carriage  210 , time elapsed, distance traveled, as well as personal information about the user relating to calories burned, muscle strain, flexibility, heart rate if equipped with a sensor that is able to communicate with a user&#39;s heart rate monitor, and so on. The speaker  328  may also be used to play music stored in memory in the control panel or wirelessly transmitted from a user&#39;s mobile device, or it may announce statistics relating to the user&#39;s workout, or it may be used to provide prerecorded motivational messages and the like. Various sensors may be incorporated into the device to provide real-time feedback and data relating to use of the device, which is then processed and reported to the user through the control panels, for example, and/or to a user&#39;s mobile device if equipped with and capable of establishing a wireless connection  462  ( FIG. 13 ) with the exercise device. The system also gives the ability to interface the basic mechanical exercise machine to software running on a computer system. This enables many powerful improvements such as: the possibility to plan ahead the training or training sessions, selecting or creating pre-defined programs aimed at achieving certain goals, and so on. 
         [0030]    In one non-limiting example of a resistance calculation, a user may input into a control panel the resistance required or desired in different units such as pounds, for example, and can refer to as a non limiting example the resistance experienced by a user when the carriage is at an arbitrary distance from starting position. This arbitrary distance can be set to enable scaling of the resistance. As an example, one foot away from the carriage starting position. 
         [0031]    A spring resistance force is generally given by the following formula: 
         [0000]      F=KX 
         [0032]    where F is the spring resistance force, K is the spring constant, and X the elongation of the spring. In this example, the equation can be written: 
         [0000]        F=K ( X   pre   +X   cur ) 
         [0033]    Where X pre  is the starting bias given by setting the location of the holder  350  after connecting the combination of springs. X cur  is the current position of the spring. For a combination of N springs connected to the holder with generally different K values: 
         [0000]        F   dis =Σ i=0   N   w   i   K   i ( X   pre   +X   dis )
 
         [0034]    Where 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               w 
               i 
             
             = 
             
               { 
               
                 
                   
                     
                       1 
                       - 
                       
                         if 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         spring 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         is 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         connected 
                       
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                     
                       0 
                       - 
                       
                         if 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         spring 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         is 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         not 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         connected 
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0035]    F dis  is the resistance chosen by the user at the set distance. X dis  is this known distance. and K i  is the spring constant for each elastic element. 
         [0036]    The logic unit solves this series of linear equations using methods known to those skilled in the art and finds w i  and X pre . 
         [0037]    In one non-limiting example of a calculation for calories burned, the energy exerted on an elastic element is given by: 
         [0000]    
       
      
       E=K∫x dx  
      
     
         [0038]    where x the elongation of the spring. and K is the spring constant. X is integrated over the linear path taken by the spring. The total energy exerted on the spring combination is given by: 
         [0000]        E=Σ   i=0   N   w   i   K   i ∫( X   pre   +x ) dx  
 
         [0039]    Where 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               w 
               i 
             
             = 
             
               { 
               
                 
                   
                     
                       1 
                       - 
                       
                         if 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         spring 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         is 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         connected 
                       
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                     
                       0 
                       - 
                       
                         if 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         spring 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         is 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         not 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         connected 
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0040]    Using this type of equation and methods known to the skilled in the art, the energy exerted by a user on the spring at any given moment can be calculated. The energy can be presented to the user in the form of calories. Conversion from different set of Energy units may be required. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  is a rear view and  FIG. 5  is a front view of some of the mechanical and electrical components of the control system  300  including a fixed support  330  in the form of a chassis or housing that attaches the control system  300  to the device  200  and that provides a fixed reference point for connection to the springs  230 . A plurality of connectors  340   a  through  340   e  (collectively connectors  340 ) for attachment to the springs  230  are arranged in series and are collectively attached to a holder  350 , the holder  350  being movably attached to the fixed support  330  so that the springs  230 , when attached to the connectors  340 , can be collectively tensioned or pre-tensioned prior to use as will be described below. The holder  350  is movable via wheels  332  within a track  334  and is connected to a drive system  360  defined by a motor  362  that is coupled to a gear array  364  that translates the rotary motion of the motor  362  into a linear motion of the holder  350  for moving the holder  350  toward and away from the springs  230 . While wheels  332  and a track  334  are disclosed, it will be appreciated that other methods of movement are possible. The motor  362  and system overall may be powered through conventional means, such as by a power cord attached to a wall outlet. Other conventional means of powering the device, such as by battery, solar, etc., are possible. Alternatively, a generator and a battery (not shown) may be attached to the carriage  210  so that the movement of the carriage  210  relative to the rails creates enough electricity to power the control system  300  for a standard exercise cycle. 
         [0042]    Each connector  340  further comprises a bracket  341  having a rear arm  342  that slides within a channel  352  in the holder  350  and is securable to the channel by a bracket fastener  351 , a catch  343  for engagement with a spring  230  as will be described, and a guide plate  344  that is movably actuated relative to the bracket  341  by a solenoid actuator  345  between a first position  340   a  ( FIG. 8A ) and a second position  340   b  ( FIG. 8B ). The actuator  345  may operate and may be driven by a variety of components including, but not limited to, servo-motors, piezoelectric crystals, electrically controlled hydraulic pumps controlling a fluid moving a piston, and so on. Any number of connectors  340  may be attached to and positioned within the channel  352  of the holder  350  depending on the number and configuration of the springs  230  present in the exercise device  200 . In the embodiment illustrated herein, there are five connectors  340   a  through  340   e  ( FIG. 5 ) to match the five springs  230   a  through  230   e  ( FIG. 4 ) associated with the exercise machine  200 . Other numbers and configurations are possible. Each guide plate  344  further comprises an opening  346  for passage of the catch  343  and a ramp  347  with angled sides  348  for directing the spring end  232  into position relative to the opening  346  and the catch  343 . The guide plate  344  includes slots  338  that slideably engage with pins  339  on the bracket  341  such that the guide plate  344  is movable by the actuator  345  between a first, lowermost position  340   a  ( FIG. 8A ; pins  339  at the uppermost end of the slot  338 ) at rest, where the actuator  345  is not energized and the catch  343  extends through the opening  346  for engagement with the spring end  232 , and a second position  340   b  ( FIG. 8B ; pins  339  at the lowermost end of the slots  338 ) due to the energizing of the actuator  345 , which elevates the guide plate  344  relative to the catch  343  to position the opening  346  above the catch  343  in preparation for receiving the end  232  of the spring  230 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  and  FIG. 9  illustrate the initial positioning of a spring end  232  relative to the ramp  347  on the guide plate  344 . As shown more particularly in  FIG. 6 , the spring  230  and spring end  232  are generally aligned with and lie on the same plane as the catch  343 . In order to attach the spring end  232  to the catch  343 , the ramp  347  is elevated by the actuator  345  and is advanced (by movement of the holder  350 ) toward the spring  230  to urge the spring end  232  to ride up the ramp  347  ( FIG. 10 ) and come to rest on the opening  346  and over the catch  343 . Thereafter, the actuator  345  is de-energized, which causes the guide plate  344  to fall and the spring end  232  to loop over and get caught on the catch  343 , as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , which illustrates spring ends  232   a ,  232   c  and  232   d  captured on the catch  343  of connectors  340   a ,  340   c  and  340   d.  As illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , once the desired number of springs  230  have been attached to their respective catches  343 , the holder bar  350  draws all of the connectors  340  including connectors  340   b  and  340   e  away from the unattached spring ends  232   b  and  232   e  while maintaining guide plates  344   b  and  344   e  in the elevated position to maintain the spring ends  232   b  and  232   e  unattached, and then as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , the actuators  345   b  and  345   e  are de-energized to cause the remaining guide plates  344   b  and  344   e  to drop into a rest position, exposing their respective catches  343   b  and  343   e.    
         [0044]    The rearward movement of the holder bar  350  also places an initial tension on the attached springs  230   a,    230   c  and  230   d  which serves to pre-tension the carriage  210  relative to the control system  300  and the chassis  330 . Thereafter, the holder bar  350  can be moved in a controlled manner to variably adjust the tension on the springs  230  to achieve a desired overall tension on the carriage  210 , which allows for a finer tension adjustment as compared with changing the attachment of the springs  230  with respect to the connectors  340 . Thus, while a user can modify the tension by connecting or disconnecting one or more than one spring  230 , the user can modify the tension even more by adjusting the distance of the holder bar  350  once connected to the springs  230 . 
         [0045]    Releasing the springs  230  from the connectors  340  is a matter of reversing the above operation, where the holder  350  advances the connectors  340  toward the springs  230  to release the tension between the springs and the connectors  340 , following by the energizing of the actuators  345  to lift the guide plates  344  causing the spring rings  232  to detach from the catches  343  and ride upward on the guide plates  344 , followed by the withdrawal of the holder  350  and connectors  340  away from the springs  230 , which results in the spring rings  232  sliding down the ramps  347  and away from the control system. Engaging and releasing the connectors  340  with respect to the springs  230  is handled automatically with the use of the control system  300 , as guided by the processor  305 , in accordance with direction from a user or as scheduled by a user&#39;s exercise regimen. For example, if a user progresses through a series of exercises, each requiring a different tension, a user can program the control system  300  to automatically adjust the tension as the user progresses through each successive exercise, so that the user does not actually have to manually manipulate the springs  230  and disrupt the exercise routine. Furthermore, there is less of a chance of user error in selecting the appropriate tension as the decision and selection is performed and controlled automatically by the control system  300  and processor  305 . 
         [0046]    The decision to attach one or more springs  230  is controlled by the processor  305  and is driven by a user desiring a particular tension arrangement achieved by a certain combination of springs  230 . Each spring  230  may have the same tension characteristics, where the attachment of each successive spring results in an equal and incremental addition of tension. Alternatively, each spring may have a different tension characteristic, where a desired tension may be achieved by attaching a particular combination of springs that is calculated and controlled by the processor  305 . For example, if each of the springs  230  has a different identifiable tension characteristic, then the total tension can be adjusted by attaching different combinations of one or more springs  230 , where there are thirty-two possible tension combinations with one to five springs, sixty-four possible tension combinations with one to six springs, and so on. A user may change the tension arrangement manually by inputting a particular tension value into one of the control panels  312  or  322 , or a user may override the control system and physically change the spring arrangements by disconnecting the holder  350  from the gear array  364  (similar to how one would disconnect a power garage door from the track during a power outage). 
         [0047]    As noted previously, direct access to the control system  300  by removal of the cover  310  and manual manipulation of the springs  230 , etc., is not preferred, although it may be necessary during times of a power outage or in the event it is necessary to service the device or change the springs, etc. Since, in a preferred embodiment, the guide plates  344  are in the lowermost position ( FIG. 8B ) when the actuators  345  are not energized or powered, which exposes the catches  343  through the opening  346 , the catches  343  can be accessed at all times. Thus, if the control system  300  (and the device as a whole) does not have power, a user can manually connect the appropriate combination of springs  230  to the catches  343  in order to create the desired tension value. Furthermore, the holder  350  may be disconnected from the motor  362  by removal of a locking device (not shown) and may be manually adjustable along the gear array  364  in order to vary the distance of the holder  350  relative to springs  230  in order to fine tune the tension arrangement. 
         [0048]      FIG. 13  illustrates one embodiment of a block diagram of the system  400  that illustrates the interface between the components of the control system  300 , the processor  305 , and additional peripheral components that are associated with the control system  300  and processor  305 . Block  405  represents the movable components in the control system  300  including the motor  362  that is used to drive the gear array  364  and the holder  350 , as well as the actuators  345  that drive the guide plates  344 , as well as other movable components. The electromechanical moveable components are typically driven by separate controllers associated with each element that might take the form of a chip, microchip or the like, that electrically communicate commands between the processor  305  and the movable component(s) through the controllers. 
         [0049]    The methods and processes described herein may be tied to a variety of different types of computing systems. Computing system may take a variety of different forms including, but not limited to, general purpose computers, specific purposes computers, specific purpose boards, gaming consoles, military systems and character acquisition systems offering green-screen or motion-capture functionality, among others. The processor  305 , which functions as a logic subsystem within the computing and control system architecture, may be associated with a data-holding subsystem  410 , an input/output (I/O) subsystem  420 , and/or other devices not shown in  FIG. 13 . Some of the components shown in  FIG. 13  may be peripheral components that are not integrated into the overall computing system associated with the control system  300  and processor  305  but that are separately attachable thereto. 
         [0050]    The processor  305  may include one or more physical devices configured to execute one or more instructions. For example, the processor  305  may be configured to execute one or more instructions that are part of one or more programs, routines, objects, components, data structures, or other logical constructs. Such instructions may be implemented to perform a task, implement a data type, transform the state of one or more devices, or otherwise arrive at a desired result. Additionally or alternatively, the processor  305  may be associated with one or more hardware or firmware logic machines configured to execute hardware or firmware instructions, and may also optionally include individual components that are distributed throughout two or more devices, which may be remotely located in some embodiments. 
         [0051]    Data-holding subsystem  410  may include one or more physical devices configured to hold data and/or instructions executable by the processor  305  to implement the herein described methods and processes. The state of data-holding subsystem  410  may be transformed (e.g., to hold different data). Data-holding subsystem  410  may further include removable media and/or built-in devices including optical memory devices, semiconductor memory devices (e.g. RAM, EEPROM, flash. etc.), and/or magnetic memory devices, among others, including volatile memory  412  and non-volatile memory  414 . Data-holding subsystem  410  may also include devices with one or more of the following characteristics: volatile, nonvolatile, dynamic, static, read/write, read-only, random access, sequential access, location addressable, file addressable, and content addressable. In some embodiments, the processor  305  and the data-holding subsystem  410  may be integrated into one or more common devices, such as an application specific integrated circuit or a system on a chip. Other configurations are possible.  FIG. 13  also shows an aspect of the data-holding subsystem  410  in the form of computer-readable removable media  416 , which may be used to store and/or transfer data and/or instructions executable to implement the herein described methods and processes. 
         [0052]    I/O subsystem  420  may be used to present a visual representation of data held by data-holding subsystem  410 . As the herein described methods and processes change the data held by the data-holding subsystem  410 , and thus transform the state of the data-holding subsystem  410 , the state of I/O subsystem  420  may likewise be transformed to visually represent changes in the underlying data. The I/O subsystem  420  can include, but not be limited to, input and output devices  422 ,  424  such as a display or displays, a keyboard, touch screen, etc., that are driven by input and display controllers  426  and  428 . For example, with reference to  FIG. 3 , an I/O subsystem  420  may be represented by control panels  312  and  322 , including displays  314  and  322 , keypad  316 , speaker  328  and so on. The processor  305  can also be connected to a sound controller  430  and through it to speaker and/or microphone  440 , which can be used for interfacing with users  405  by giving voice details about the system status, alarms, counting repetitions, etc. A microphone  440  can be used, for example, for giving the system voice commands or for recording notes and the like. The processor  305  can also be connected to a variety of controllers including a network connected controller  450  via a network connection  452 , and/or a wireless controller  460  via a wireless connection  462 , and/or a wired controller  470  via a wired connection  472 , for connection to a variety of controllers and other devices and systems including computers, mobile devices, mobile phones, smart devices, and so on. 
         [0053]    All of the components of the system  400  can be utilized for various applications such as, for example, identifying the user and setting the resistance according to the specific user, sharing information about exercise programs, setting the resistance based upon indications from other systems, etc. With reference to  FIG. 3 , a user can select an exercise regimen using the control panel  322 , where one or a variety of exercise regimens is/are stored within the data holding system  480 , or wherein an exercise regimen is available through a network connection  452  such as through a website provided by the manufacturer of the exercise device  200 , or wherein the exercise regimen might be stored on a user&#39;s mobile device (not shown) that can communicate with the system  400  by via wireless connection  462  such as a Bluetooth connection. 
         [0054]    A variety of feedback measurements can be achieved by associating various components with certain elements of the control system  300  and of the exercise device  200  in general. For example, a force measurement device (not shown) can be connected to one, some or all of the springs  230  to measure the amount of force a user is applying to the device  200  during use. A non-limiting example of a force measurement device can be a piezoelectric material with its one end connected to one, some or all of the springs  230  and the other end connected to a fixed part of the device such as the chassis  330  or the holder bar  350 . As the spring(s)  230  expand and contract through the movement of the carriage  210 , the piezoelectric material changes shape and orientation, causing it to change one or more of its electrical characteristics (like voltage or current level), which allows the force applied by a user to be measured. Another non limiting example can be connecting a different type of force measuring device instead of the piezoelectric material (for example a spring based force measuring device). Yet another implementation can be measuring the elongation of the springs  230  to determine the amount of force the springs apply on the user. This measured amount of force can be presented to the user through the control panels  312  and/or  322  and/or can be fed into the data holding system  410  through the processor  305  for storing in connection with a user&#39;s exercise regimen, and this information can also be further processed to present a variety of useful data to the user including number of carriage movements or repetitions, the accumulative strain on the user&#39;s muscles, calorie usage and more. 
         [0055]    Other types of feedback can be delivered to a user based on various measurements taken from various sensors incorporated into the device  200 . For example, a distance measurement device (not shown), which measures the distance traveled by the carriage  210 , for example, can provide feedback to a user including the number of carriage movements and repetitions, the force exerted on the carriage, the length of a user&#39;s motion or the travel of the carriage, and so on. One example of such a device might be a wire or a cord (not shown) connected on one side to the carriage  210  next to a spring  230 , with the other side supported on a reel (not shown) fixed to the chassis  330  about which the wire is wound. When the carriage  210  extends away from the control system  300 , the reel releases the wire or cord and the amount of wire or cord released is measured to determine the outbound travel of the carriage. Inbound movement of the carriage is also tracked when the wire or cord retracts into the reel. This movement of the cord or wire and the distance traveled can be measured by electronically counting the reel&#39;s rotations. The rotations can be measured for example by using a rotary variable resistor, rotary encoder or other methods known to the skilled in the art. Other methods and apparatus are contemplated, and may include an ultrasonic distance measuring device connected for example to the chassis  330  measuring the distance to a reflective element on the carriage  210 , or a light beam based measuring device connected similarly. Other methods are possible. 
         [0056]      FIG. 14  through  FIG. 18B  illustrate various non-limiting alternate embodiments of certain aspects of the present invention, and in particular those aspects relating to the connections between the tension elements (i.e. springs) and a fixed element that is anchored to the exercise device. In  FIG. 14 , there is provided an exercise device  500  having a control system  600  anchored to the device  500  by a chassis  630  that is adapted to receive a spring  530  with a spherical ball-shaped end  532  instead of a ring end as per the previously discussed embodiment. A connector  640 , which is movable along a gear track  664  relative to the chassis  630  and to the springs  530 , is provided with a cone  643  having an inward cylindrical geometry that is adapted to receive and seat the ball-shaped end  532  of the spring  530  and secure the end  532  within. An actuator  645  manipulates a guide plate  647  between an engagement and a disengagement position and functions in a manner similar to the guide plate  347  of the previously described embodiment. 
         [0057]      FIG. 15A  and  FIG. 15B  illustrate an alternate embodiment of an exercise device  700  having an exercise carriage  710  that moves along rails  720  and is provided with a series of elastic elements or springs  730   a  through  730   d  having ring-shaped ends  732   a  through  732   d  (only  732   a  and  732   b  being shown), and a control system  800  formed from a tray  850  having a plurality of rods or posts  846   a  through  846   d  that are movable between a recessed position (see post  846   a ) and an extended position (see post  846   b ). The tray  850  is formed from an upper plate  852  and a lower plate  854  and is connected to the rails  720  of the device  700  by a gear track  764  and a gear  765  that causes the tray  850  to move relative to the rails  720  and relative to the carriage  710 . While rings  732  are described, it will be appreciated that other types of connecting elements can be used such as ellipses, hooks, a general rectangular shape with a hole in it, or any other mechanical arrangement that is configured to grab the rods or posts  846  extending from the lower plate  854 . A spring ring  732  is attached to the tray  850  by positioning a ring around a recessed post  864  that is recessed within the lower plate  854  and extending the post  846  through the ring  732  and into the upper plate  852  to connect the upper plate  852  and the lower plate  854  by the post  846  through the ring  732 . This can occur manually or electronically if the control system  800  is so designed. After the required springs  730  are attached to the tray  850  in accordance with tension requirements established by the user, the tray  850  can be moved rearward away from the springs  730 , through the engagement of the gear  765  with the gear track  764 , in order to initially tension the springs  730  relative to the carriage  710 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 16A  and  FIG. 16B  illustrate an alternate embodiment of an exercise device  900  having an exercise carriage  910  that moves along rails  920  and is provided with a series of elastic elements or springs  930   a  through  930   d  having ring-shaped ends  932   a  through  932   d,  and a control system  1000  formed from a tray  1050  with a pivot rod  1040  having a plurality of hooks  1046   a  through  1046   d  that are independently rotatable relative to the tray  1050  along an axis  1052  of the pivot rod  1050  between a disengaged position (see hook  1046   b ) and an engaged position (see hook  1046   a ). The rotation of the hooks  1046  may occur manually or in a controlled fashion by way of, for example, a motor and control system (not shown) provided in the tray  1050 . The tray  1050  is connected to the rails  920  or to the frame of the exercise device by a piston  964  fixed to the frame  920  and a rod or cylinder  965  attached to the tray  1050 . The piston  964  can be activated by air pressure, magnetic power, hydraulic or any other means now known or hereinafter developed. After the required springs  930  are attached to the tray  1050  in accordance with tension requirements established by the user, the tray  1050  can be moved rearward away from the springs  930 , through the engagement of the piston  964  and rod  965 , in order to initially tension the springs  930  relative to the carriage  910 . 
         [0059]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 16A  and  FIG. 16B , as described in connection with earlier embodiments, the springs  930  can be replaced with other forms of elastic elements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly the ring  932  and hook  1046  can each be replaced with another mechanical element that will create mechanical coupling similar to the one between the hook and ring. A non limiting example can be to replace the ring  932  with another hook. In certain embodiments, the movement of the hook  1046  may be different than that illustrated in  FIG. 16A  and  FIG. 16B  where, for example, the hook may move from a vertical or semi-vertical starting point, pointing for example downwards to a horizontal or semi-horizontal position, when the hook is engaged inside a ring, as shown in  FIG. 17A  and  FIG. 17B , for example, where hook  1246  of pivot rod  1240  engages ring  1132  of spring  1130 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 18A  and  FIG. 18B  illustrate an alternate embodiment of an exercise device  1100  in the nature of a Pilates chair of the type illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,916,279, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein it is desirable and preferable to bias the elastic elements not in a way which is parallel to their linear direction of contraction and expansion as described with certain previous embodiments herein. Instead, the elastic elements are initially biased and biased in a perpendicular or substantially perpendicular direction to their linear direction of contraction and expansion. The exercise device  1100  further comprises a movable support  1110  attached to a pivot arm  1120  that is movable relative to a base  1140  of the device  1100 . A tray  1250  having a plurality of extensions  1240  is movably attached to an upright holder  1220  and is driven by a piston  1264  attached to the base  1140  and a cylinder or rod  1265  connected between the piston  1264  and the tray  1250 . A plurality of tension elements  1230  are attached between the tray extensions  1240  and cradles  1122  on the pivot arm  1120 , which cradles can function to both hold and store the tension elements  1230  out of the way during times of nonuse, and retain the tension elements  1230  connected to the tray  1250  during use of the device  1100 . Attachment of tension elements  1230  to the cradles  1122  may require an initial movement of the cradles  1122  toward the tray  1250 , or an elevation of the tray  1250  relative to the base  1140 . In addition, while a pair of tray extensions  1240  are illustrated as hooks, it will be appreciated that there can be only one extension or more than two extensions, or that the extensions  1240  can assume other structural configurations without departing from the function of supporting the tension elements  1230  relative to the tray  1250 . 
         [0061]    The amount of tension placed on the movable support  1110 , and therefore the amount of effort involved in pivoting the movable support  1110  about the pivot arm  1120 , is a function of the amount of tension generated by the tension elements  1230  between the tray extensions  1240  and the cradles  1122 . A greater amount of tension is contributed by the tension elements connected between the tray extensions  1240  and the cradles  1122  when the tray  1250  is positioned closer to the base  1140  as shown in  FIG. 18A , while the tension can be reduced by extending the tray  1250  away from the piston  1264  to shorten the distance between the tray extensions  1240  and the cradles  1122  as shown in  FIG. 18B . The piston  1264  can be activated by air pressure, magnetic power, hydraulic power or any other means now known or hereinafter developed that can be implemented by one skilled in the art. Other devices for achieving the up and down movement of the tray  1250  are also possible and can replace the piston  1264  and push/pull rod  1265 . Non-limiting examples of such devices can include a solenoid, an electric motor controlling a cog wheel which runs on a track or any other device that can be implemented by those skilled in the art. Thus, the initial tension experienced by the movable support  1110  is a function of the height of the tray  1250  relative to the base  1140 , which is substantially perpendicular to the linear extension of the tension element  1230  relative to the movable support  1110 . The amount of tension can then be modified by varying the position of the tray  1250 , which can be manually controlled by a switch (not shown), or which can be manually controlled through manual manipulation of the tray  1250  relative to the holder  1220 , or automatically controlled by a control system (not shown) depending on the amount of desired tension for a particular exercise. Similar to previously disclosed embodiments, a control system can be associated with an input/output subsystem and/or a data holding subsystem and/or various controller and interface solutions for optimal communications with a user of the device. 
         [0062]    Also, it is to be understood that the number of elastic elements or springs appearing in any of the embodiments described herein is meant to only be illustrative and is not meant to be limiting in configuration, arrangement or number of elements. 
         [0063]    The block diagram of  FIG. 13  illustrates the architecture, functionality, and operation of some possible implementations of apparatus, methods and computer program products. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified function or functions described herein. In some alternative implementations, the function or functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, in some cases, two blocks shown in succession may be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. 
         [0064]    Aspects of the invention can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment containing both hardware and software elements. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is implemented in software, which includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode, etc. 
         [0065]    Aspects of the invention can take the form of a computer program product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable medium providing program code for use by or in connection with a computer or any instruction execution system. For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer readable medium can be any tangible apparatus that can contain or store the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
         [0066]    The medium is tangible, and it can be an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or apparatus or device). Examples of a computer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solid state memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk and an optical disk. Current examples of optical disks include compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD. 
         [0067]    A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing program code will include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can include local memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at least some program code to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage during execution. Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers. Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of network adapters. 
         [0068]    While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.