IP Library Granted Patent US 11,406,873
Granted Patent B2
US 11,406,873 · App. 16/995,539 · Granted Aug 9, 2022

Timeline and media controller for exercise machine

Inventors: Michael Philip Hand (San Francisco, CA); Scott Matthew White (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: Tonal Systems, Inc.
A63B24/0087A63B24/0062
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,406,873
App. No.
16/995,539
Granted
Aug 9, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A program is presented to a user including a stream of content including a first auditory content and a first visual content related to the workout. A context state of the user participating in the workout is determined based on information from a sensor. A responsive content is selectively added based on the context state of the user to the stream of content in a manner that avoids conflict with the stream of content.

Claims (37)

1. A system for controlling a workout, comprising:

a sensor;

a processor coupled to the sensor, wherein the processor is configured to determine a context state of a user participating in the workout based on information from the sensor; and

a media controller coupled to the processor, wherein the media controller is configured to present a program to the user including a stream of content including a first auditory content and a first visual content related to the workout;

wherein the processor causes a responsive content based on the context state of the user to be selectably added to the stream of content in a manner that avoids conflict with the stream of content, wherein the responsive content is selectably added to adjust a cadence of the workout, and wherein the cadence of the workout is adjusted at least in part by inserting the responsive content to extend a silent period.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein avoiding conflict with the stream of content comprises avoiding conflict with the first auditory content.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein avoiding conflict with the stream of content comprises avoiding conflict with the first visual content.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein for the responsive content based on the context state of the user, the context state of the user is different than an initial state of the user that the first auditory content or the first visual content is based on.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the responsive content is personalized content based on the context state of the user, wherein the context state of the user comprises a personalized identifier.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the context state of the user is based at least in part on a function of a historical exercise.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the context state of the user is based at least in part on a function of a future exercise.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the responsive content is non-repetitive content based on the context state of the user, wherein the context state of the user comprises a record of past content.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the responsive content comprises coaching from a second coach, wherein the first auditory content or the first visual content is based on a first coach.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to run a set of functions against content to determine the responsive content to play.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to match the context state of the user against a set of metadata for content.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the responsive content comprises content comprising at least one of iconography and text.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the responsive content comprises a text content, and wherein the processor is further configured to process the text content into speech using a text-to-speech engine.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the responsive content comprises a form feedback content.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the responsive content comprises a trigger loop.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the responsive content comprises a time-flex loop.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the responsive content comprises a reverse time-flex loop.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the responsive content comprises a machine setup feedback content.

19. The system of claim 1 , wherein the responsive content comprises a selection based on mood.

20. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of the following: a power switch, a database query, a camera, a depth sensing camera, a seat sensor, a push force sensor for a user foot, a pull force sensor for a user foot, a seat to rail position sensor, and a handle sensor.

21. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the responsive content comprises a filler utterance.

22. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the first auditory content and the first visual content comprise separate portions of the stream of content.

23. The system recited in claim 22 , wherein the first auditory content comprises an auditory stream comprising a plurality of auditory elements, and wherein the responsive content is inserted between auditory elements.

24. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the responsive content is selected from a plurality of candidate responsive content.

25. The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the responsive content is selected from the plurality of candidate responsive content based at least in part on weighting of the candidate responsive content, and wherein the weighting of the candidate responsive content is based at least in part on the context state of the user.

26. A method for controlling a workout, comprising:

presenting a program to a user including a stream of content including a first auditory content and a first visual content related to the workout;

determining a context state of the user participating in the workout based on information from a sensor; and

selectably adding a responsive content based on the context state of the user to the stream of content in a manner that avoids conflict with the stream of content, wherein the responsive content is selectably added to adjust a cadence of the workout, and wherein the cadence of the workout is adjusted at least in part by inserting the responsive content to extend a silent period.

27. A computer program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium and comprising computer instructions for:

presenting a program to a user including a stream of content including a first auditory content and a first visual content related to the workout;

determining a context state of the user participating in the workout based on information from a sensor; and

selectably adding a responsive content based on the context state of the user to the stream of content such that the stream of content and the responsive content do not conflict, wherein the responsive content is selectably added to adjust a cadence of the workout, and wherein the cadence of the workout is adjusted at least in part by inserting the responsive content to extend a silent period.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2026
From: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
To: HERCULES CAPITAL, INC., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 075306/0212 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2026
From: THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, IN ITS CAPACITY AS RECEIVER FOR SIGNATURE BRIDGE BANK, N.A.
To: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 074028/0088 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 24, 2025
From: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
To: CUSTOMERS BANK
Reel/Frame 073255/0161 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 11, 2023
From: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
To: THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, IN ITS CAPACITY AS RECEIVER FOR SIGNATURE BRIDGE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063283/0182 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 19, 2020
From: WHITE, SCOTT MATTHEW
To: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 054100/0041 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 15, 2020
From: HAND, MICHAEL PHILIP
To: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 054070/0900 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 16534893 · Aug 7, 2019
Provisional Application 62716861 · Aug 9, 2018
Related Publication 20210023417A1 · Jan 28, 2021
Cited By (2)
US 12,387,831 US 12,403,377