Exercise system and portable module for same

1. An exercise system comprising:

a movable element;

a first processor;

a portable module; and

a display panel comprising a display, the display panel including a port formed therein which is adapted to receive the portable module, wherein

the portable module comprises a second processor and a memory storing information usable to control one or more parameters associated with the movable element.

2. The exercise system according to claim 1 , wherein the movable element is associated with a treadmill.

3. The exercise system according to claim 1 , wherein the movable element is associated with a stationary bicycle.

4. The exercise system according to claim 1 , wherein the memory stores a program for controlling the one or more parameters associated with the movable element.

5. The exercise system according to claim 1 , wherein the memory comprises read/write memory and the first processor is configured to read from and write to the memory.

6. The exercise system according to claim 1 , wherein the port is provided in a side portion of the display panel.

7. The exercise system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a communication circuit configured for wireless communication.

8. The exercise system according to claim 1 , wherein the movable element comprises pedals.

9. The exercise system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a pulse rate monitor.

10. The exercise system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

an additional port formed in the display panel for connection to an external device.

11. The exercise system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

one or more speakers.

12. An exercise apparatus which receives a portable module comprising a processor and a memory, the exercise apparatus comprising:

a movable element;

an additional processor;

an additional memory for storing information usable in control of a parameter associated with the movable element;

a panel comprising a liquid crystal display and pressable keys, the panel including a port formed therein which is configured to receive the portable module,

wherein the portable module memory is accessible to the additional processor when the portable module is received in the port.

13. The exercise apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the movable element comprises pedals.

14. The exercise apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the portable module memory comprises read/write memory and the additional processor is configured to read from and write to the portable module memory.

15. The exercise apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the port is provided in a side portion of the panel.

16. The exercise apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising:

a pulse rate monitor.

17. The exercise apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising:

an additional port formed in the panel for connection to an external device.

18. The exercise apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising:

one or more speakers.

19. The exercise apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the portable module memory stores information usable in control of a parameter associated with the movable element.

20. A portable module comprising a processor and a memory and which is configured to be received in the port formed in the panel of the exercise apparatus of claim 12 .

21. An exercise system comprising:

a movable element;

a first processor;

a portable module; and

a panel comprising a liquid crystal display and multiple pressable keys, the panel including a port formed therein which is adapted to receive the portable module,

wherein the portable module comprises a second processor and a memory and the first processor is configured for communication with the portable module when the portable module is received in the port.

22. The exercise system according to claim 21 , wherein the port is provided in a side portion of the panel.

23. The exercise system according to claim 21 , further comprising:

a communication circuit configured for wireless communication.