IP Library Granted Patent US 11,759,678
Granted Patent B2
US 11,759,678 · App. 17/856,805 · Granted Sep 19, 2023

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 11,759,678
App. No.
17/856,805
Granted
Sep 19, 2023
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 (39)

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 related to the workout, the stream of content including:

an auditory stream comprising a set of auditory content; and

a visual portion comprising a set of visual content;

wherein the processor causes a responsive content based on the context state of the user to be inserted into at least one of the auditory stream or the visual portion in a manner that avoids conflict with the stream of content, and wherein a point of insertion of the responsive content is based at least in part on a position of the user relative to an exercise state.

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

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein avoiding conflict with the stream of content comprises avoiding conflict with a first visual content in the set of 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 a first auditory content in the set of auditory content or a first visual content in the set of visual content is based on.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the responsive content comprises 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 comprises 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 a first auditory content in the set of auditory content or a first visual content in the set of 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 at least in part on mood.

20. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of: 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, or a handle sensor.

21. The system of claim 1 , wherein inserting the responsive content comprises inserting a delay at a point of movement reversal.

22. A method for controlling a workout, comprising:

presenting a program to a user including a stream of content related to the workout, the stream of content including:

an auditory stream comprising a set of auditory content; and

a visual portion comprising a set of visual content;

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

inserting a responsive content based on the context state of the user to at least one of the auditory stream or the visual portion in a manner that avoids conflict with the stream of content and wherein a point of insertion of the responsive content is based at least in part on a position of the user relative to an exercise state.

23. 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 related to a workout, the stream of content including:

an auditory stream comprising a set of auditory content; and

a visual portion comprising a set of visual content related to the workout;

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

inserting a responsive content based on the context state of the user to at least one of the auditory stream or the visual portion in a manner that avoids conflict with the stream of content and wherein a point of insertion of the responsive content is based at least in part on a position of the user relative to an exercise state.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2026
From: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
To: HERCULES CAPITAL, INC., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 075306/0212 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 24, 2025
From: TONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
To: CUSTOMERS BANK
Reel/Frame 073255/0161 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 16995539 · Aug 17, 2020
Continuation In Part 16534893 · Aug 7, 2019
Provisional Application 62716861 · Aug 9, 2018
Related Publication 20220331665A1 · Oct 20, 2022