IP Library Granted Patent US 12,616,876
Granted Patent B2
US 12,616,876 · App. 18/368,977 · Granted May 5, 2026

Control sequence based exercise machine controller

Inventors: Aly E. Orady (San Francisco, CA); Sumner Browning Paine (San Francisco, CA); Scott White (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: Tonal Systems, Inc.
A63B24/0087A63B23/03541A63B24/0059A63B24/0062A63B71/0622G16H20/30A63B2024/0093A63B2220/806A63B2220/808
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,616,876
App. No.
18/368,977
Granted
May 5, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A plurality of control sequences is stored. A user state is detected. A next control sequence associated with the user is selected from the plurality of control sequences based at least in part on the user state.

Claims (34)

1 . An exercise machine, comprising:

a motor that provides resistance against which a user exercises;

an arm, wherein a cable is coupled between the motor and a grip through the arm;

an integrated display;

a memory storing a plurality of control sequences; and

one or more processors configured to:

monitor data generated based on actions of the user in performing an exercise using the exercise machine;

determine whether a set has been completed based at least in part on the monitored data;

select a next control sequence associated with the user from the plurality of control sequences based at least in part on the determining of whether the set has been completed based at least in part on the monitored data generated based on the actions of the user in performing the exercise; and

present the selected next control sequence via the integrated display.

2 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the monitored data generated based on the actions of the user comprises one or more of cable tension and cable displacement.

3 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the monitored data comprises data sourced from one or more physiological sensors.

4 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the monitored data comprises a monitored heart rate.

5 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the monitored data comprises monitored breathing.

6 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of control sequences is associated with a user workout sequence.

7 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of control sequences is associated with a user workout video segment.

8 . The exercise machine of claim 7 , wherein the user workout video segment comprises one of an advanced mode or a beginner mode.

9 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of control sequences is associated with a media clip, and wherein selecting the next control sequence comprises decoding.

10 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of control sequences comprises a control sequence associated with one or more of a celebration, a resistance adjustment to a workout, a cadence adjustment to the workout, a loop instruction, a variable assignment, or a pointer to a next control sequence.

11 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of control sequences comprises a control sequence associated with a conditional branch instruction.

12 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the monitored data comprises one or more of a number of reps in a current workout or a quality flag for the user in the current workout.

13 . The exercise machine of claim 12 , wherein the quality flag comprises a value for a struggling user in the current workout.

14 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator.

15 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the monitored data is obtained from one or more sensors comprising at least one of an actuator sensor, or a motor sensor.

16 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the monitored data is obtained from one or more sensors comprising at least one of a microphone or a video camera.

17 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the next control sequence is associated with one or more of a suggested weight, a dynamic bumping, or a dynamic spotting.

18 . A method of controlling an exercise machine, comprising:

storing a plurality of control sequences;

monitoring data generated based on actions of a user in performing an exercise using the exercise machine, wherein the exercise machine comprises:

a motor that provides resistance against which the user exercises; and

an arm, wherein a cable is coupled between the motor and a grip through the arm;

determining whether a set has been completed based at least in part on the monitored data;

selecting a next control sequence associated with the user from the plurality of control sequences based at least in part on the determining of whether the set has been completed based at least in part on the monitored data generated based on the actions of the user in performing the exercise; and

presenting the selected next sequence via an integrated display of the exercise machine.

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 17207038 · Mar 19, 2021
Continuation 16534893 · Aug 7, 2019
Provisional Application 62716861 · Aug 9, 2018
Related Publication 20240157199A1 · May 16, 2024
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