Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for programmatically controlling the climate of a localized exercise environment so as to accommodate the evolving needs of exercisers during a workout. In preferred embodiments, the localized environment is an enclosed exercise room or the area surrounding one or more stationary exercise machines. Heat is applied by convective, conductive, and/or radiant means, and/or removed by convective, conductive, and/or evaporative means. In various preferred embodiments the humidity, direction, and speed of the air flow are controlled, and/or a cooling mist is applied. In preferred embodiments, the climate control program is executed according to the passage of time, according to the rate of work and the amount of work performed, according to acoustic features of music, and according to physiological parameters of the exerciser such as heart rate, breathing rate, and skin temperature. In some preferred embodiments the climate control devices are attached directly to stationary exercise devices.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention generally relates to exercise environments, and more specifically to control of the climate within an exercise environment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Exercise is generally known to have many benefits for individuals of all ages. These benefits include improved cardiovascular health, reduced blood pressure, prevention of bone and muscle loss, maintenance of a healthy weight, improved psychological heath, and many others. Exercise is also used a means for monitoring the health of individuals through so-called “stress” tests. However, exercise is generally accompanied by a certain degree of discomfort, including overheating, sweating, etc, and this leads to a significant reduction in the amount of exercise undertaken by many individuals, thereby reducing the health benefits derived from recreational and conditioning exercise and the diagnostic accuracy of stress tests. 
         [0003]    Because of weather variability, convenience, and time constraints, exercise often takes place indoors in a relatively confined environment, either in an exercise room, possibly as part of a group activity such as a dance club or an aerobics class, or localized on a stationary exercise machine such as a stepper, stationary bicycle, elliptical, treadmill, free weight machine, stress test machine, etc. Attempts are often made to increase the comfort of exercising individuals in these environments by optimizing climate factors such as the temperature, humidity, and air flow. 
         [0004]    However, these approaches are largely unsatisfactory. For example, if the temperature is warm enough to encourage exercise at the beginning of a workout, when muscles are at rest and not warmed up, it will be too warm once exercise is well underway and the body is generating excess heat. Conversely, if the temperature is cool enough to be comfortable when exercise is well underway, it will not be comfortable at the beginning of the workout. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    An apparatus and method of use are disclosed that significantly improve the comfort of an individual exercising in a localized environment, such as in an exercise room or on a stationary exercise device, by programmatically controlling the heating and/or cooling of the individual during a workout session. In preferred embodiments, the methods for controlling heating and cooling include heating and cooling of the surrounding air, heating and cooling of surfaces with which the individual comes into direct contact, radiant heating, control of the humidity of the surrounding air, application of liquid mist, and control of the flow of air within the environment using fans and/or similar devices. 
         [0006]    In various preferred embodiments the programmatic control of the environment is executed according to elapsed time, the rate of exercise, the total amount of exercise performed, and even the temporal and acoustic features of music, as might for example be appropriate during an exercise program performed to music. In other preferred embodiments, the climate is controlled according to measured physiological parameters such as heart rate, rate of breathing, skin temperature, core body temperature, and degree of perspiration, as determined for example by galvanic skin conductivity. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective drawing of an exercise room with a temperature and humidity controlled ventilation system and an electrically heated exercise mat, both regulated by a programmatic controller; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective drawing of an exercise room where squash and similar competitive sports can be played, wherein the room includes a temperature controlled ventilation system regulated by a programmatic controller; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  is an illustration of the front panel of a programmatic controller in a preferred embodiment wherein programs are created, modified, and recalled by pushing buttons; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  is an illustration of the front panel display of a programmatic controller in a preferred embodiment wherein programs are created, modified, and recalled by touching the display with a light pen; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a graphical representation of a typical air temperature and humidity control program for a 30 minute workout; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  is a graphical representation of a typical climate control program for a 30 minute workout, wherein the program controls the air temperature and humidity, the speed of a ventilator fan, the temperature of an electrically heated exercise mat, the application of radiant heat from a heat lamp, the application of cooling mist, and the selections and volume of music played during the exercise session; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4C  is a block diagram that illustrates a preferred embodiment wherein the air temperature and the application of mist within a localized exercise environment is controlled according to the tempo and volume of music. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective drawing of a stationary exercise device surrounded by an air curtain that is generated by a temperature and humidity controlled ventilation system located directly above the device, wherein the ventilation system includes a misting device and wherein both the ventilation system and the misting device are regulated by a programmatic controller; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective drawing of a stationary exercise device with a localized exercise environment controlled by a radiant heat source and a temperature controlled ventilation system with built-in fan, both mounted to the exercise device and both regulated by a programmatic controller; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective drawing of an exercise room equipped with a temperature controlled ventilation system and a room fan, both regulated by a programmatic controller, wherein the climate control program also controls the volume and selections of music played by a stereo system; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective drawing of the exercise room of  FIG. 6A  at the end of an exercise session, wherein the door and a large window have been automatically opened by the programmatic controller and the fan has been activated so as to rapidly equalize the climate in the room with the ambient climate of the region outside of the room; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates a temperature regulated ventilation system that can simultaneously regulate the localized environments of a plurality of stationary exercise devices according to a program generated by a single programmatic controller; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective drawing of a stationary exercise device with a temperature controlled ventilator outlet immediately above the device, an air return vent in the floor immediately below the device, and a programmatic controller that controls the outlet and return vents, wherein the exercise device is surrounded by a panel enclosure that improves the isolation of the localized exercise environment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  presents a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the climate within a localized exercise environment  100  is controlled by multiple climate control devices  102  that control different climate aspects such as air temperature, air flow and direction, humidity, etc according to control signals and/or instructions supplied by a programmatic controller  104 . The programmatic controller executes a climate control program  106  according to the passage of time  108 , according to user inputs  110  such as age, height, weight, and anticipated workout duration, and according to measured environmental and physiological parameters  112 , such as the rate of exercise, the amount of exercise already performed, and the heart and breathing rates of one or more exercising individuals. In some preferred embodiments moving averages of measured parameters and/or weighted averages of physiological parameters obtained from multiple exercisers are used to determine climate control settings. 
         [0022]    In preferred embodiments, information regarding the current outdoor climate  114  and/or the average outdoor climate over the recent past also serves as an input to the program, since these factors can affect the comfort and preferences of exercisers. For example, individuals may find a warmer exercise climate more attractive and comfortable in the winter, especially at the beginning of an exercise session, whereas they may find a cooler exercise climate more attractive and comfortable in the Summer. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective drawing of a preferred embodiment that includes an enclosed exercise room  200  with an exercise mat  202  electrically heated by a variable power source  204  that supplies current to heating wires embedded in the mat. The room is equipped with a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system or “HVAC”  206  built into the ceiling, which in this embodiment also controls the humidity of the air (not specifically shown in the figure. A programmatic controller  208  controls both the HVAC and the heating of the mat according to a climate control program that is determined according to the passage of time and the planned duration of the exercise session. 
         [0024]    With reference to  FIG. 2B , in another preferred embodiment an enclosed room  210  designed for squash, racket ball, and other indoor sports includes an HVAC system  212  regulated by a programmatic controller  214 . In some preferred embodiments the HVAC system also includes a humidity control system (not specifically shown in the figure). The programmatic controller  214  executes a climate control program that is determined according to the passage of time, the planned duration of the exercise session, and also according to the heart rate and other physiological parameters of the individuals  216 ,  218  exercising in the room, as measured by sensors attached to convenient locations on the bodies of the exercisers  216 ,  218  such as the head  220 . In this preferred embodiment, the sensors  220  transmit their measurements via Bluetooth or another convenient short range wireless transmission means to an antenna  222  mounted on the programmatic controller  214 . In some preferred embodiments moving time averages of the measured physiological parameters and/or averages of the measured physiological parameters from a plurality of exercising individuals are used by the climate control program to determine the settings of the HVAC system  212  and/or other climate control devices. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3A  illustrates the control panel  300  of a programmatic controller in a preferred embodiment wherein climate control programs are entered, recalled, modified, and executed all by pushing buttons on the control panel  300 . Each climate control program is composed of a series of steps. For each step, a first liquid crystal display  302  mounted on the panel indicates the set temperature of the step and the current program status (running a program or setting/reviewing/modifying a program). A second liquid crystal display  304 , located immediately to the left of the first display  302 , indicates the current step number and the time duration assigned to that step. 
         [0026]    In order to create or modify a program, a step is selected by pressing the Program Step # button  306  and entering the desired step number on a numeric keypad  308 . The desired duration and set temperature for that step are then selected by up/down buttons  310 ,  312 , and the step is saved in memory by pressing the “save step” button  314 . The end of a program is indicated by entering a “zero-time” step at the end. Programs can be saved or recalled by pressing the “save program button”  316  or the “recall program” button  318  and entering a program number on the numeric keypad  308 . Pressing the save program button  316  or recall program button  318  twice before entering a number causes the program to recall or save a program from a removable storage device. In this embodiment the storage device is a floppy disk inserted in a slot  320  in the panel. In other embodiments the storage device is a memory stick or similar device. Once the program has been recalled, entered, and/or edited, it is run by pressing the “Run Program” button  322 . A “Hold Temp” button  324  is also provided to allow the programmatic controller to maintain a fixed temperature when a program is not being run. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3B  illustrates the control panel of a programmatic controller in a preferred embodiment wherein climate control programs are entered, recalled, modified, and executed all by touching a display screen with a light pen  326 . The display includes a graphical section  328  where the values of climate parameters such as air temperature and humidity are be displayed  330  as a function of elapsed workout time. Climate control settings during an exercise session can be modified by displaying the plotted curve  330  for the desired parameter, touching the plotted curve  330  with the light pen  326  at a desired point, and dragging that point of the curve up or down on the screen. If the upper or lower limit of the graphical section  328  is reached, the vertical scale scrolls and is extended so as to keep the entire plotted curve  330  within the graphical section  328 . The plotted curve  330  to be displayed in the graphical section  328  is selected by touching the light pen  326  to the corresponding button in a vertical column of climate parameter buttons  332  on the left side of the screen. 
         [0028]    The time duration of the workout is shown on in a window  334  located in the lower left of the display, and is set by touching up and down arrows  334  with the light pen  326 . A similar window and set of up and down arrows also located in the lower left of the display  334  allows entry of the age of the exerciser. Similar embodiments allow entry of other parameters such as the height and/or the weight of the individual. Whenever the age, height, or weight setting is changed, the heating and cooling behavior shown in the plotted curves is modified in an appropriate fashion. This allows for use of a single climate control program by exercisers of different ages, physical characteristics, and fitness levels without the need to make detailed changes to the plotted curves. For example, in preferred embodiments the cooling is increased for individuals with higher than average weight to height ratios. 
         [0029]    Programs names are entered by touching an alphanumeric keypad  336  with the light pen  326 , and are stored, recalled, and started by touching the appropriate buttons in the same window  336 . A memory stick (not shown) can be use to store programs so as to avoid exceeding the memory limit of the programmatic controller. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4A  is a graphical representation of a typical 30 minute climate control program for a preferred embodiment in which climate control devices are used to regulate and vary the air temperature and the humidity of the localized exercise environment. During an initial 5 minute warm up period, the air temperature is held at a relatively high temperature of 75 degrees  400 , after which it is steadily decreased over the next 10 minutes as the pace of exercise increases until it reaches a much cooler temperature of 60 degrees  402 . The air temperature is maintained at 60 degrees for five minutes  404 , after which it drops even further, during a five minute surge of even more vigorous exercise as the end of the workout nears, until it reaches 55 degrees  406 . Finally, during the last 5 minute “cool down” part of the workout, the air temperature is raised steadily back up to 65 degrees  408 . 
         [0031]    The humidity follows a similar pattern during the 30 minute workout. It begins at a relatively high 65% during the initial five minute warm up  410 , after which it falls steadily during the next 20 minutes  412  as the rate of perspiration increases, finally reaching 25%. During the final 5 minute cool down period  414 , the humidity is maintained at 25%, since perspiration can be expected to remain heavy during this time. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4B  is a graphical representation of a typical 30 minute climate control program for a preferred embodiment in which climate control devices are used to regulate and vary the air temperature  416 , the temperature of an exercise mat  418 , the turning on and off of a radiant heat lamp  420 , and the application of a cooling mist  422 . During the initial 5 minute warm up period the air temperature  416  and the mat temperature  418  are both kept at high levels, and the radiant heat lamp  420  is switched on. Throughout the next 15 minutes of vigorous exercise the air temperature  416  and the mat temperature  418  are steadily decreased, and the radiant heat lamp  420  is switched off. During this time, a mist of water droplets  422  is applied every five minutes to further cool the exercisers. The mat temperature  418  is held low during the next five minutes, and misting  422  continues, but the air temperature  416  begins to rise in anticipation of the end of the workout. Finally, during the 5 minute cool down period, the air temperature  416  continues to rise, misting  422  stops, the mat temperature  418  remains low, and the radiant heat lamp  420  is turned back on. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4C  is a block diagram that illustrates a preferred embodiment wherein the air temperature and the application of a cooling mist inside of a localized exercise environment are controlled according to the tempo and volume of music. A stereo system  424  is connected to a music analyzer  426 . While music is being played on the stereo  424 , the music analyzer  426  analyzes the music and determines the tempo  428  of the music and the volume  430  of the music. This information is then used by the climate control program  432  in determining the air temperature  434  and the duration and frequency of misting  436 . Depending on the preferences of the exerciser, for example, the climate control program  432  can be set to increase and decrease the air temperature  434  according to the tempo  428  of the music, and to apply a burst of mist  436  whenever the volume  430  exceeds a certain threshold. In other preferred embodiments, the control relationship is essentially reversed, in that the selections of music and the volumes at which they are played are determined by the programmatic controller so as to be complementary to the climate control settings and the anticipated pace of exercise. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a preferred embodiment in which an HVAC system  500  creates a temperature and humidity controlled air “curtain”  502  surrounding a stationary exercise device  504  and an exerciser  506  using the device. In this embodiment the HVAC system is equipped with a misting device  508  that injects droplets of water  510  into the air stream just before the air exits the HVAC  200 . Both the HVAC  500  and the mister  508  are controlled by a programmatic controller  512 , which in the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 5A  executes a climate control program according to the passage of time. The air  502  supplied by the HVAC  500  is adjusted to a low humidity, such that the droplets of water  510  evaporate quickly from the exerciser  506 , thereby cooling the body of the exerciser  506 . Due to the low humidity of the air  502  coming from the HVAC system  500  and the small size of the water droplets  510 , water droplets  510  that do not fall on the exerciser  506  evaporate before reaching the floor or immediately after reaching the floor. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a preferred embodiment in which an exerciser  514  using a stationary exercise device  516  is heated from behind by a radiant heat lamp  518 , while temperature regulated air is blown onto the exerciser  514  from the front by a fan  520 . The temperature regulated air is supplied by an air mixer  522 , which mixes warm air  524  and cold air  526  in order to achieve the desired temperature. The radiant heat lamp  518 , the fan  520 , and the air mixer  522  are all controlled by a programmatic controller  530 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5B , the radiant heat lamp  518  and the fan  520  are both mounted to a frame  532  which is attached to the exercise device  516 , both for convenience and also to position them closer to the exerciser and thereby provide more directed and localized control of the exercise environment. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a preferred embodiment in which an exercise room  600  is equipped with an HVAC system  602  and a large fan  604 , both controlled by a programmatic controller  606 . The room is used for dance classes, group aerobic workouts, and similar activities that take place while music is played by a stereo system  608  that is also connected to the programmatic controller  606 . The climate control program is executed by the programmatic controller  606  according to the passage of time as well as the tempo and intensity of the music. A large window  610  in the wall of the room is closed by shutters during the workout under control of the programmatic controller, and the door to the room  612  is similarly closed during the workout by the programmatic controller. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6B  illustrates the room  600  of the embodiment of  FIG. 6A  as it is configured immediately after a workout is finished. The exercisers have left the room, the door  612  and the shutters on the large window  610  have been opened by the programmatic controller, and the fan  604  is operating at maximum, so as to cause a rapid exchange of air between the room  600  and the environment immediately outside of the room. This quickly returns the climate in the room  600  to the desired starting conditions maintained immediately outside of the room, so that a new exercise session can begin as quickly as possible after the previous session has ended. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  illustrates a preferred embodiment in which a plurality of individuals  700  can participate in a simultaneous exercise session on a plurality of stationary exercise devices  702 , possibly taking part in a simulated bicycle race. In this embodiment, essentially identical localized exercise environments are created by multiple floor-mounted HVAC outlets  704  that create separate air curtains  706  about each of the exercise devices  702 . The temperature of the air supplied by each of the HVAC outlets  704  is regulated by mixers  708  that mix together hot air  710  and cold air  712  so as to achieve the desired temperature. The mixers  708  are regulated by a programmatic controller  714 , which executes a climate control program according to the passage of time and also according to physiological parameters measured by sensors  716  attached to the exercisers and transmitted to an antenna  718  on the programmatic controller  714 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  illustrates a preferred embodiment in which an exerciser  800  using a stationary exercise device  802  resides in a localized exercise environment controlled by an HVAC system with an outlet  804  above the exercise device and an air return inlet  806  below the device. Both the outlet  804  and the air return inlet  806  of the HVAC system are controlled by a programmatic controller  808  according to the passage of time. The localized exercise environment is surrounded by a set of panels  810  that serve to improve the isolation of the localized exercise environment near the exercise device. In preferred embodiments, the panels are transparent. In other preferred embodiments a flexible curtain or a flexible sheet of semi-rigid plastic is used to surround the exercise environment. 
         [0040]    Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the following claims.