Abstract:
Motivation for performing exercise may be provided with an exercise reward holding system. The system may include a pedometer and a container to hold a reward object. The container may have a lock programmable to release upon receipt of a signal from the pedometer. The pedometer may be operable in a location separate from the container.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to exercise equipment and more particularly to devices for providing motivation to a person. 
         [0002]    While many people engage in physical exercise based exclusively on their own internal motivation, it is well known that some people engaging in an exercise program may benefit from external motivation. Indeed, there are various exercise machines which incorporate sensors such as mileage counters or calorie counters to trigger issuance of reward coupons to an exerciser after the exerciser has performed a pre-set amount of physical activity on the exercise machine. 
         [0003]    Some people may elect to perform an exercise program that may include outdoor activities such as, for example, biking, running, walking or rowing. For these activities, there are presently no systems for measuring expenditure of physical effort and providing a corresponding reward based upon meeting a preset level of activity. 
         [0004]    As can be seen, there is a need for a system of providing external motivation to a person to perform a preset amount of physical exercise in a setting which is independent of an exercise machine, for example outdoor exercise. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect of the present invention, an exercise reward holding system may comprise: a pedometer; a container; and a lock programmable to release upon receipt of a signal from the pedometer, the pedometer being operable in a location separate from the container. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the present invention, an exercise reward container may comprise: a containment cylinder; an enclosure cap with a programmable lock; a pedometer configured to be inserted in a receptacle of the enclosure cap; and an electronics board configured to convey programming information to the programmable lock and to the pedometer simultaneously during programming of the lock. 
         [0007]    In still another aspect of the invention, a method for providing motivation to an exerciser may comprise the steps of: providing for placing a reward object into a container; providing for locking the container with a programmable lock; providing for programming the lock with an exercise goal parameter; and providing for signaling the programmable lock with a pedometer that has recorded exercise activity that is at least equivalent to the programmed exercise goal parameter to open the programmable lock and to release the reward object to the exerciser. 
         [0008]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an operational feature of an exercise reward container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are perspective views of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an exercise reward container in accordance with the invention; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are perspective views of pedometers of the container of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the container of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0016]    Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
         [0017]    Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a system in which a lockable container may be pre-loaded with an object or material and then programmed to open only after receiving a signal that confirms that a preset amount of exercise efforts has been expended by a person. More particularly, the container may open responsively to a signal emanating from a recording device carried by the person. 
         [0018]    Referring now to the  FIGS. 1 through 4 , an exemplary embodiment of an exercise reward container  10  may be seen to comprise, a membrane panel  18 , a display  20 , input buttons  22 , a spring hinge  24 , a mounting ring  26 , a switch lock  28 , a reward compartment  30 , batteries  32 , an electronic component board  34 , a locking pawl  36 , an upper housing  38  and a lower housing  40 . 
         [0019]    In operation, a reward object  42  may be placed into the reward container  10  by a prospective exerciser or by a coach of the exerciser or some other third party who may elect to provide motivation to the exerciser. The input buttons  22  may be employed to program the container  10  to open in response to a signal indicative of a particular expenditure of energy by the exerciser. For example, the buttons  22  may be employed to program exercise goal parameters such as a particular mileage or elapsed time or completion of mileage within an elapsed time. Programmed exercise goal parameters may be displayed on the display  20 . The container  10  may be closed and locked after being loaded with the reward object  42  and programmed with desired exercise goal parameters. 
         [0020]    The exerciser may perform his or her exercise while wearing or carrying a recording device such a wireless pedometer  44 . Upon completion of exercise, the exerciser may bring the pedometer  44  into proximity with the container  10 . If signals from the pedometer indicate that programmed exercise goal parameters have been met, the container  10  may unlock. The exerciser may then remove the reward object  42  from the container  10 . 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5-8 , another embodiment of a reward container  100  may be seen to comprise a containment cylinder  102 , an enclosure cap  104  and a removable pedometer  106 . The enclosure cap  104  may include one or more solenoid locks  108 , an electronics board  110 , and programming buttons  112 . The pedometer  106  may include a display  114  and electrical contacts  116  through which electrical connection may be made between the pedometer  106  and the enclosure cap  104 . 
         [0022]    In operation, the reward object  42  may be placed in the container  100 . Then the buttons  112  may be used to program the exercise goal parameters. The pedometer  106  may be in position in the enclosure cap during the programming so that both the enclosure cap  104  and the pedometer  106  may be simultaneously programmed with the exercise goal parameters. After programming is complete, the locks  108  may engage with the cylinder  102  and the container  100  may thus be locked. 
         [0023]    The pedometer  106  may be removed from the cap  104  and carried by the exerciser. Upon completion of exercise, the pedometer  106  may be inserted into the cap  104 . If the pedometer  106  indicates that the exercise goal parameters are met, the locks  108  may release and the cap  104  may be removed from the cylinder  102 , thus allowing access to the reward object  42 . 
         [0024]    Optionally, a universal serial bus (USB) connector or wireless connection for the pedometer  106  may allow for connection to the internet for an override code to be used to open the container  100 . There could be a charge for using this service and a record emailed to an owner of the container  100 . 
         [0025]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.